The University of Guyana on Tuesday announced that it will be offering an Associate Degree in anthropology from September.
According to course lecturer Dr Christopher Carrico, the anthropology programme is long overdue. He noted that Guyana is a significant field research site and this offers the opportunity for understanding its culture. The course, he said, will cover the sub-fields of anthropology but at the moment focus will be on the cultural aspect and archaeology. The course, Carrico added, can be beneficial to government officials and non-governmental organisations that have to deal with persons outside of their culture. Anyone who is interested in the study of humanity and the culture of people would be an ideal candidate, Carrico noted.
Head of the Department of Language and Cultural Studies Alim Hosein explained that the two-year programme is expected to start at the beginning of the academic year. The full-time programme costs $200,000 per year and Hosein said that the high fee is to offset costs, particularly since a lot of time will be spent in the field.
The course is open to high school graduates who have passes in five subjects at one sitting of CXC or six subjects at two sittings. The passes must be between grades One and Three, Hosein said. Persons who are 26 years and older with relevant qualifications and experience can also apply for the course. However, they will have to sit an entrance examination. Hosein said that there are plans to extend the course to another two years, once it is feasible to offer a Bachelor’s Degree. There are also plans for a post-degree programme as well, he added.
Carrico graduated from the Temple University in Philadelphia, USA with a Degree in anthropology. His PhD dissertation, titled “Changing Forms of Identity and Political Leadership among the Akawaio Kapon,” examines forms of identity and political leadership as they have developed among the Akawaio Kapon of the Upper Mazaruni from the colonial era to the present. He has lectured at Temple University as well as Drexel University and Dinus Ursinus College, all of which are located in Philadelphia. Also working on the course with Carrico is George Simon, a Guyanese anthropologist who has extensive experience in the field.
