
About this program
Social Anthropology - Humanitarian and Environmental Crises - MA
Our world is experiencing humanitarian and environmental challenges of disturbing dimensions. This programme addresses these challenges from a human and ethical angle, exploring the social, political, economic and technological aspects of the crises that mark our contemporary world.
This unique programme of study focuses on contemporary planetary emergencies and conflicts that have a humanitarian or environmental impact. We explore how to study such crises from an anthropological point of view using a variety of ethnographic research methods, such as interviewing, participant observation, and localised surveys.
Admission requirements
A good honours degree (2.1 or above) in anthropology or associated fields. In certain circumstances, we will consider students who have not followed a conventional education path. These cases are assessed individually by the Director of Graduate Studies and the programme convenor.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevantexperience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
English language entry requirements
The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Program content
You study five compulsory modules, a dissertation research project and also choose three additional modules in social anthropology from those offered by the School of Anthropology and Conservation.
Compulsory modules for this programme are:
- Anthropological Research Methods I
- Anthropological Research Methods II
- Anthropology of Contemporary Political and Environmental Crisis
- Special Topics in the Anthropology of the Humanitarian Crisis
- Advanced Topics in Anthropology
Scholarships & funding
The University of Kent has a long tradition of welcoming international students from around the world and is pleased to offer a wide range of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarships, including dedicated Scholarships for our International students. Further details on our Scholarships available and how to apply is on our Scholarships webpages.
Tuition
Please visit the university website for more information about tuition fees.
Qualification
Programme aims to:
- enhanced understanding of how humanitarian intervention is shaped by political, social and cultural contexts;
- in-depth understanding of environmental politics and protest, including the climate emergency;
- advanced-level knowledge of the central theoretical and methodological issues in social anthropology today;
- advanced-level knowledge of different approaches to social science research in a multidisciplinary perspective, with special reference in qualitative, intensive research;
- intensive training for students preparing MPhil/PhD theses, or for employment involving the use of social science research; research design and strategy, including translating questions into practicable research designs and retrieving information in multidisciplinary and cross-national contexts.
Continuing studies
Our Social Anthropology Master’s programmes is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as having research training status, so successful completion of these courses is sufficient preparation for research in the various fields of social anthropology. Many of our students go on to do PhD research. Others use their Master’s qualification in employment ranging from research in government departments to teaching to consultancy work overseas.
Career paths
Many of our alumni teach in academic positions in universities across the world, whilst others work for a wide range of organisations. Examples of positions held by our alumni include:
- Corporate anthropologist
- Campaign developer for War Child
- Project director for the Global Diversity Foundation
- Curator at Beirut Botanic Gardens
- Film producer for First German Television
- Project manager for Porchlight Homelessness Charity.
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