Social and Cultural Anthropology is the comparative study of human societies and cultures. The course places a strong emphasis on developing comparative perspectives that make your own cultural assumptions explicit. It contributes to a
critical understanding of contemporary real-world issues like conflict, poverty, human rights, and the environment.
The course is built around exploring key areas of anthropological inquiry through core concepts and the practice of anthropologists themselves.
Core Components:
● Engaging with anthropology
● The language of anthropology
● The practice of anthropology
● Anthropological thinking
External Assessment (75%):
Paper 2: Engaging with ethnography
Two extended essay questions based on the studied areas of inquiry.
2.5 hours | 35% of grade
Paper 1: Engaging with anthropology
Questions based on an unseen text and a question on anthropological ethics.
2 hours | 40% of grade.
Internal Assessment (25%):
Fieldwork:
Students conduct their own anthropological fieldwork, which includes a proposal, a research report, and critical reflections.
60 hours |25% of grade.
Ideal candidates are curious about different cultures and human societies. They should be open-minded, reflective, and inquiring. Students must be willing to respect and evaluate a range of viewpoints and challenge their own cultural assumptions. You should enjoy reading and analysing ethnographic material and be prepared to develop as a critical and ethically sensitive thinker.
It also pairs well with further study in fields like Law, Criminology, and Geography.
The course’s focus on human societies and research skills is also highly valued in social work, journalism, market research, museum curation, and public health.
