Undergraduate Program

Why study with us?

We offer one of the most innovative and comprehensive BA programs at AUCA based on the overlap between three unique fields of study: Anthropology, Technology and International Development. A degree in this major will expand your employment opportunities, introduce you to a complex way of thinking about contemporary societies, empower you with a set of multiple professional skills and give you an opportunity to innovate, create, travel, intern, engage and grow academically and professionally under the guidance of one of the strongest faculties at AUCA.

What is taught?

All students will take a set of core courses from all three fields, but individually they will have the option of choosing between three specializations.

1. Anthropology and Archaeology are the broadest fields of study built on a holistic view of people’s life in the past and present that incorporates cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political and economic dimensions. We offer courses on theories and methods of anthropology and archaeology, on language, ethnicity, history, religion, kinship, family, economy, politics, migration, globalization and more.
2. Technology - explores a complex relationship between culture, society and technology. You will study how culture effects the ways people innovate and use technologies and you will learn how technology can transform many cultural and social practices and traditions. In addition, you will take a set of purely technical subjects of your choice from other AUCA departments.
3. International Development - you will learn about the world of international development and about the important role played by anthropologists as development specialists. Our diverse faculty takes an interdisciplinary approach to development; students will be able to take classes on economic and community development, environmental sustainability, governance, gender in development, and many other aspects of development work.

What are the learning outcomes?

At the completion of this major, you will have foundational knowledge pertaining to almost all aspects of people’s social and cultural lives and you will possess a strong set of research, analytical and professional skills. You will become a specialist, who can help create culturally sensitive, socially justified, and innovative technological products and market them creatively. You will graduate with the knowledge of theory and practices in the field of International Development and with specific skills necessary for the completion of development projects. 

Where do graduates work?

Depending on the selected specialization, graduates can find employment in a very broad spectrum of jobs that employ anthropologists, in the companies and organizations that need creative IT specialists, and/or in a wide variety of international and local development organizations, such as the World Bank, United Nations, GIZ, Mercy Corps, the Soros Foundation, ARIS, and hundreds of others in Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia and worldwide. In addition, you will have many opportunities to go on to graduate studies at the Masters and Ph.D. levels in a variety of academic and professional fields. 

Diplomas

Our graduates will receive two diplomas/BA certificates:

• From the Bard College, accredited in the USA with a degree in "Anthropology, Technology and International Development"
• From the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic with a degree in "Anthropology" and one of the three specializations:
  • Anthropology and Archaeology
  • Technology
  • International Development