BA Social Anthropology
University of Essex
Key Information
Campus location
Colchester, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
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Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
BA Social Anthropology
What motivates so many people to migrate from their own societies to others? Why are some cultures so different from each other? Our course combines sociological and anthropological approaches to the study of society, exploring how humans understand their social worlds in different ways.
At Essex we investigate what connects people with each other, as well as what divides them. We consider every aspect of our daily lives, from how we relate to politicians, celebrities and friends, to how we define ourselves, our families, and others. You study topics including:
- Witchcraft, potlatch ceremonies in North America, and the aesthetics of Nomadic people
- Anthropological approaches to gender, ethnicity, race and kinship
- Sociology of migration, religion belief, and multinational corporations
- Birth, sex and death
You also receive training in sociological methods how to design a survey, conduct an interview, and use quantitative analysis from basic statistic to big data in order to ask the difficult questions, and can complete a supervised dissertation on a topic that inspires you.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available, please visit the university website for more information.
Curriculum
Year 1
- Introduction to Social Anthropology
- Researching Social Life I
- Introduction to Crime, Law and Society
- Career Development and Making a Difference
Year 2
- The World in Question: The Social, Cultural, Political & Environmental Legacies of the Enlightenment
- Ethnographic Explorations of the City
- Ethnographic Research Methods
- Career Development and Making a Difference
Final Year
- American Society: Ethnic Encounters in the Making of the USA
- Dangerous Places: Intercultural Meetings In Film, Exploration and Anthropology
- Visual Cultures: the Social Meanings of Photography and Art
- Career Development and Making a Difference
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
A good sociology course, especially one from a recognised centre of excellence like Essex, opens many doors.
Our students are in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including local and central government, NGOs, social work, market research, project management, fundraising, auditing, marketing, case-work, youth and community work, voluntary sector management and lobbying.
Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:
- The Institute of Public Finance
- Guardian Professional
- United
- Synergy Healthcare Research
We also work with the University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
Program delivery
BA Social Anthropology: 3 years
BA Social Anthropology (Including Year Abroad): 4 years
BA Social Anthropology (Including Placement Year): 4 years
- Teaching is arranged to allow a lot of freedom in how you organise your learning experience, with a focus on discussion and problem-solving
- Lab sessions to improve technical research skills