Studying Anthropology at Exeter

Dr Tom Rice – Programme Director

What is Anthropology?

‘Anthropology is the study of people throughout the world, their evolutionary history, how they behave, adapt to different environments, communicate and socialise with one another...’

Royal Anthropological Institute

Three-field approach to Anthropology at Exeter

– Physical/Biological Anthropologyprimarily concerned with human evolution, genetics,

primatology, etc.– Archaeology

examines artifacts and material culture to understand and document societies, cultural patterns and processes

– Social/Cultural Anthropologythe study of human cultural diversity and social life

(language, culture, politics, family, religion etc)

• Physical anthropology and archaeology taught in the Department of Archaeology

• Social Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Philosophy

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropologywww.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Bronislaw Malinowski (1884-1942)

Fieldwork:

Immersive

Gaining a holistic view of a society through lived experience.

Grasping the WORLD VIEW of those under study.

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Questions to ponder:- How do social groups organise themselves?-In what ways are societies different and in what ways the same?- Are there human universals? - How do concepts and categories shape how we (and others) think? -How does globalisation affect people in non-Western (and Western) societies?- What is society? What is culture?

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Steve Feld and the Kaluli

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Anthropology at Exeter

An anthropology of the contemporary, for the contemporary.

Dedicated anthropology staff with active research on a wide range of topics…

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Options/teaching inspired by research

Music and sound

Human/animal interactions

Health and disability

Childhood

Addiction

Consumerism

Warfare

Sport

Family life

Professor Anthony King

Dr Ann Kelly

Our degreesTypical offer varies – usually AAB but check entry requirements • Single Honours

– BA /BSc Anthropology– BA has stronger focus on cultural/social anthropology– BSc includes more physical/biological anthropology

• Combined Honours – BA Sociology and Anthropology– BA Archaeology and Anthropology

• Flexible Combined Honours – with (potentially) any one or two disciplines from across

the University – Year study abroad and UK work experience options

Single Honours

120 credits each year with increasing levels of choice • Year 1 (core 90/options 30)

– BA: introductory modules in socio/cultural anthropology (key theories/concepts illustrated by case studies from around the world)

– BSc: introduction in social anthropology and physical anthropology (including forensic anthropology and analysing archaeological evidence)

– Options

• Year 2 (core 60 /options 60)– BA: Contemporary ethnography/current debates – BSc: Contemporary Ethnography/current debates and quantitative

analysis– Options

• Year 3 (core 30 /options 90)– Options /dissertation

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Combined Honours 120 credits each year with increasing levels of choice • Year 1 (core 120)

– Core introductory modules in socio/cultural anthropology (main theories/concepts illustrated by case studies from around the world)

– Core modules from either Archaeology or Sociology

• Year 2 (core 60 /options 60)– Contemporary ethnography/current debates – Core 2nd year modules from Archaeology or Sociology– Options

• Year 3 (core 30 /options 90)– Dissertation/options (in either Anthropology, Sociology or

Archaeology)

Examples of options• Research methods• Childhood• Cultures of War• Ethnomusicology• Consumer Society• Illness, Bodies and Medicine • Sport and Society• Globalisation • Anthrozoology• Regional options (e.g., Africa)• Sound and Society

• BUT YOU CAN DO UP TO 30 CREDITS PER YEAR IN ANY OTHER SUBJECT!!!

Learning and teaching • Minimum of 10 contact hours a week• Lectures, seminars, tutorials• Support of personal tutor • Practical skills training e.g. research methods,

ethnography, project design• Field trips (for Archaeology or depending on

your degree)• Virtual learning environment - online support

including presentations, lecture notes, and articles

• Strong feedback systems and staff/student liaison committees

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology

Field schools

Employability• Anthropology gives you specific skills valued by employers

– Research, discussion and presentation skills– capacity to understand alternative points of view and to grasp social

dynamics– Ability to think creatively and imaginatively, as well as analytically

• Range of organisations use anthropologists

– Governments – overseas agencies, domestic and foreign policy makers, research bodies, archaeological investigations

– Non-governmental organisations – United Nations, international development bodies, cross-cultural charities

– Corporations – designing products for overseas markets, sales campaigns, advertising companies

• Careers and Employment Service provide practical help and advice

More information

• www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology - full details of our programmes including descriptions of module choices/entry requirements

• www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate - all you need to know about student life and studying in Exeter

• 01392 723192 - for more information or to arrange a visit

www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology