Social Anthropology BA (Hons)

University of Essex
Student rating (4.2) 1162 reviews

UCAS CODE
LL36

Course description
You combine sociological and anthropological approaches to the study of society, looking at how humans understand their
social worlds in different ways. You investigate and analyse a range of social issues, such as the construction of racial and
ethnic difference, the different ways people understand their bodies, how people understand sexuality and sexual difference
around the world, and the meanings of dreams, myth and magic. We teach in interesting and innovative ways with an exciting
choice of modules. Your first year modules include Introduction to Social Anthropology, Researching Social Life, and Sociology
and the Modern World. During your second year you take Continuity and Controversy in Sociology, Anthropology: Birth, Sex
and Death, and Researching Social Life 2 in which you will further develop your research skills. In your final year you will take
Anthropology: Anthropology of Latin America.

Study options

STUDY MODE CAMPUS DURATION STARTS

Full time Colchester Campus 3 Years 07-OCT-21

Entry requirements

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Course fees
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Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Introduction to Crime, Law and Society (30 Credits) - Core
In this module you examine the history of criminological ideas, Britain?s criminal justice system, and current debates on crime
and control.

Modern Revolutions in Science, Politics, and Culture (30 Credits) - Core

This interdisciplinary module examines this period and thus serves as an essential prerequisite for students who want to
understand the intellectual currents that run through the world they live in. Graduating students often rank it among the most
useful modules they?ve taken.

Introduction to Social Anthropology (30 Credits) - Core

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In this module you analyse the history, methods, and theories of social anthropology, using a range of ethnographic and case
studies (from witchcraft to the aesthetics of nomadic people) and develop a critical awareness of how your own culture, and that
of others, can be studied.

Modules (Year 2)
The World in Question: the Social, Political and Psychological Legacies of the Enlightenment (30 Credits) - Core
In this module you study contemporary issues such as the humanitarian treatment of people, the meaning of the self and global
warming that have arisen out of the ideas behind the Enlightenment, colonialism, and capitalism.

Ethnographic Research Methods (30 Credits) - Core

The module offers the methods elements for the Anthropology degree scheme and incorporates basic ethnographic research
methods. The autumn term will cover the theories, ethics and philosophical and conceptual bases of ethnographic research
methods. We will focus on ethnographies and articles that critically discuss ethnographic research methods in preparation for
the mini ethnographies students will conduct in the spring term.

Anthropology of Birth, Sex and Death (30 Credits) - Core

In this module you study the basic facts of human existence from a cross-cultural perspective.

Modules (Year 3)
Dangerous Places: Travellers, Anthropologists and Intercultural Meetings (15 Credits) - Core
In this module you study primary source materials, plus films, to learn more about depictions of other societies.

American Society: Ethnic Encounters in the Making of the USA (30 Credits) - Core
In this module you examine social, political and economic encounters between European settlers, American Indians, African-
Americans and Latinos that shaped the USA, from colonisation to today.

Visual Cultures: the Social Meanings of Photography and Art (15 Credits) - Core
This module examines how photography and other forms of visual art provide meanings and interpretations of societies. It will
explore the ways in which visual media act as a documentary of large-scale social and political trends such as industrialization,
economic and social class systems, gender relations, migration, indigenous peoples, crime and war. The module will also
examine how photographs provide 'image worlds' that translate into immediate and compelling narratives of cultural identity and
social change. The emphasis will be on showing how the camera allows for realities about society to be constructed and
disseminated, but also how the image allows for ambiguity in how we understand society. After introducing students to insights
drawn from writers on photography such as Susan Sontag, John Berger, Roland Barthes, and Geoff Dyer, and the module will
focus on selected topics and draw on the works of numerous photographers which may include among others, William Henry
Fox-Talbot, Matthew Brady, Edward Curtis, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus, Martin Parr, Cindy Sherman, Robert
Capa and Don McCullin.

Research Project: Anthropology (30 Credits) - Core

The project can take a variety of forms ranging from empirical research using methods such as participant observation,
ethnographic research, interviews, and content analysis to library based theoretical work. Unlike other assignments, it involves
you conducting and writing-up a piece of individual, autonomously designed research.

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 University of Essex
Student rating (4.2) 1162 reviews

COMPLETE TOTAL
WHATUNI RANKING UNIVERSITY GUIDE UNDERGRADUATE
26th / 131 RANKING STUDENTS
41st 11,195

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Location
University of Essex NEAREST TRAIN STATION:
Wivenhoe Park Hythe 0.6 miles away
Colchester
Book a train ticket
Essex
CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom

What students say about University of Essex

Nicole, Marine Biology BSc (Hons) 20 Jan 20

OVERALL UNIVERSITY RATING

The first year was great, met new people, made memories! However I’m thinking about dropping out in my second year. It gets
a long more difficult. Uni is a big decision and such a commitment. It’s not necessarily for everyone.

JOB PROSPECTS
It promotes placement years (even if they’re not right for you). Has workshops for CV building skills and presentation skills etc,
where are long winded, but useful in the long run.

COURSE AND LECTURERS

I like that the power-points in lectures are available to view outside of the lecture, to make notes at home. However, sometimes
it feels like the notes could just be made at home and a lecture is not neccessary. Some skills workshops are also not
neccessary.

STUDENT UNION
I don’t really pay attention to details, although I know the student Union hub is extremely useful for any problems you might
have.

UNI FACILITIES
It has everything I could need. Doctors are very good.

CITY LIFE
Yes. It is really close to a 24 hour tesco, which is pretty much all you could need!

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

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I don’t participate in them, however I know there is a great variety!

STUDENT SUPPORT
Mandy, Politics and International Relations BSc (Hons) 29 Jul 20

OVERALL UNIVERSITY RATING

Love it - very friendly, i like the campus and location, and lots going on. Enjoy my course although a lot of reading. Been tricky
with Covid and online teaching has been different.

JOB PROSPECTS
Support offered but you have to find own work placement if you want to do in your course, great study abroad offering though

COURSE AND LECTURERS

Range of teachers from around the world. Many doing their own research so learning from what they are doing now. Links to
government, embassies, UN, human rights etc. I like the presentations and discussion but lots of reading outside of class.

STUDENT UNION
Very vocal, always stuff going on in campus.

ACCOMMODATION
Location was fantastic, few minutes walk from the main squares. It wasn't the most modern but I knew this. Go for Copse or
Meadows if want the newest but they are 10 mins walk away. Great housemates, mix of international and UK students. Love it.

UNI FACILITIES
Great for me - mix of old and new,love how close everything is

CITY LIFE
Yes everything is 5 minutes walk away on campus. Then a huge Tescos 15 min walk away and Colchester town is 45 minutes
walk or a bus. London 1 hour from Colchester.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Good - like it's not just all about sport. Big Model UN society. Lots of socials.

STUDENT SUPPORT

View more reviews

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