Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Biological Anthropology

What can biological evolution teach us about humans and other primates? In this module, you’ll build an awareness of key evolutionary principles. You’ll explore the similarities and differences between humans and other primates, and what this suggests about how humans adapt. You’ll explore how biological and social factors affect human variation, and the way we relate to our environment. These include:

 physical variation, growth and development
 physical adaptation
 dietary diversity and subsistence
 disease ecology.

• Introduction to Social Anthropology

In this module, you’ll gain the key skills you need to succeed in your Anthropology degree. You’ll dive into the history and practice of social anthropology, and gain the core knowledge to study it at a more advanced level. You’ll explore the key approaches of anthropologists over the last 30 years.

• Introduction to Japanese Society and Culture

In this module, you'll use anthropological perspectives to make an in-depth investigation of contemporary life in Japan. You'll cover factors and topics that affect Japanese everyday life such as:

 child rearing
 education and early socialization
 households, marriage and kinship
 work and employment
 gender and sexuality
 religion and ritual
 immigration and diversity
 Japanese popular culture
 and the globalization of Japanese culture.

• Family, Kinship, and Society

In this module, you will learn about one of the central themes in Social Anthropology: the study of family and kinship relations. You will look at studies from historical and contemporary contexts, and explore how people in different societies think about, and negotiate family relationships. You will also examine how these intimate social ties are shaped by wider economic and political transformations around the world.

• Becoming an Anthropologist

In this module, you'll gain essential study skills that you will use throughout your degree. You’ll explore the process of academic inquiry to investigate the nature and scope of anthropology, and the academic and social value of the discipline. You'll learn about academic writing and data analysis, you’ll try some key social research methods, and you’ll discover how to make the most of feedback from your lecturers. You'll also visit Oxford's amazing anthropology museums, handle real stone tools, and learn about fieldwork through classroom-based games.

You will be taught by both biological and social anthropology staff so you’ll learn the key skills of research, analysis and writing used in both of these subfields.

• Deep History

In this module, you’ll dive into the prehistoric past. You’ll explore key developments in our species, world and human evolution. You’ll also gain key anthropological skills as you review the archaeological, fossil and palaeoenvironmental evidence for human communities. You’ll gain key research skills for your degree, as you use specialist research methods to explore the links between archaeological, geographical and anthropological research.

Optional modules

Contemporary Societies: Structure and Change

What’s the relationship between the economy, the state and society? How have labour markets evolved over time and what impact has this had on welfare states? In this module, you’ll explore a range of social and political developments that have shaped contemporary society. You’ll examine key issues such as international migration patterns, the formation of ethnic minorities and the role of religion in modern society. And, you’ll be encouraged to develop your own critical awareness of a range of social issues and the global context in which they take place.

Death, Disease and Doctors: Medicine and Society

In this module, you’ll examine the history of sickness and healing in society. You’ll look at how people have viewed medicine and disease, from 1650 to 2000. In seminars, we’ll investigate issues such as:

 quackery
 war and medicine
 forensic medicine
 disease control
 public health
 madness and society
 sexual health
 the patient’s view.

This module builds on your material from other level 4 modules. You’ll gain key critical skills as you identify links between other periods and subjects you’ve studied.

Foundations of Social Theory

What is social theory? Who are the major social theorists, and what do they have to say about power, beliefs and values, capitalism, feminism and much more? In this module, you’ll explore key concepts and theories in classical and contemporary sociology. You’ll also immerse yourself in current debates, developments and approaches to social theory. You’ll encounter theories such as:

 Functionalism
 Marxism
 Symbolic Interactionism
 Feminism
 Postmodernism
 Post-structuralism
 Postcolonial theory.

Theory of Knowledge

What does it mean to know something? Is knowledge different from mere belief? And is knowledge actually possible?

In this module, you’ll get to know the great thinkers of the past, and explore what they say about knowledge. You’ll explore the minds of:

 Plato
 Descartes
 Hume
 Locke
 Berkeley

You also focus on key debates about knowledge today. You’ll gain fantastic analytical skills as you consider:

 the meaning of perception
 if we can know something through hearsay
 if we can know the world beyond our minds
 if there can be a scientific account of knowledge

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods in Social Anthropology

In this module, you’ll gain fantastic research skills for your dissertation and other independent projects. You’ll develop a strong knowledge of the research methods that social anthropologists use. You’ll work in a small team on an independent research project, and discover the best research methods for your own dissertation.

• Social Anthropology Theory

In this module, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of social anthropology theory. You’ll engage with abstract theories, and learn how to apply them to different contexts. You’ll use ethnography (the study of people and their cultures), and real life examples to understand how ideas in social anthropology apply to everyday life. You’ll look at the time and place in which key theories are produced. You’ll gain core analytical skills as you grasp how social anthropology theory is shaped by everyday experiences, and their historical and geographical contexts.

• Reading Contemporary Ethnography

In this module, you’ll get to grips with reading and writing ethnographic monographs. These are written accounts of a society or culture. You’ll explore ethnography: the method that social anthropologists use to analyse cultures, and the style and concepts behind it. You’ll:

 explore how authors connect arguments and evidence
 debate the ethical issues of writing about other cultures
 the effectiveness of different aesthetic styles.

You’ll also explore the range of styles in ethnography today that addresses current topics of concern.

• Ritual and Society

What are rituals, and why do we perform them? In this module, you’ll explore the key role of rituals in society. You’ll look at various human communities as you explore key anthropological concepts, including:

 rites of passage
 liminality
 anti-structure
 Communitas

We often stereotype rituals as exotic, and about religion. However, you’ll enrich your perspective as you explore ritual in non-religious contexts. You’ll look at the role rituals can play in:

 politics and power relations
 expressing social identities
 enabling political resistance

Optional modules

Anthropology in Action

In this module, you’ll kick-start your career, as you explore the wide range of career options open to Anthropology graduates. You’ll put anthropology into practice, using the skills you’ve gained in your degree to explore how anthropology contributes to:

 business
 conservation and development
 human health and wellbeing
 forensic investigations.

European Societies

In this module, you’ll investigate European societies. You’ll apply classic concepts in studying societies as you look at European villages and urban neighbourhoods. You’ll then explore broader contemporary issues, including:

 identity
 nationalism
 racism
 how we use history
 ceremonial issues
 tourism

Understanding India: Society Culture and Economy

In this module, you’ll get to grips with India, and its cultural customs and habits. You’ll dive into key economic and political issues in India. You’ll look at how Indian and non-Indian anthropologists seek to understand the diversity of the country. And you’ll follow India’s social, political and economic change - from colonialism to postcolonialism, and then to free-market capitalism. And you’ll gain key insight into how India has been represented and imagined over time.

Personhood, Gender and the Body in Contemporary Japan

From tattooed gangsters and drag queens to salarymen and hostesses, how does gender and the body affect Japanese society? In this module, you’ll question your assumptions about femininity and masculinity, and gain core critical skills as you explore topics such as:

 LGBTQ+ rights
 the ethics of organ donation
 abortion
 end of life care
 martial arts
 religious practice.

You’ll explore the topics that fascinate you in greater depth, through:

 student-led seminars
 group work
 a research essay

Gender and Society

In this module, you’ll look at gender and its central role in society. You’ll explore the social processes that affect the lives and roles of men and women in society. We’ll consider the centrality of gender in everyday life, and how society reflects and reproduces gender relations.

'Race', Ethnicity and Inequality

Why do we exclude some ethnic groups from society? In this module, we’ll explore race, ethnicity and racism through:

 employment
 education
 housing
 migration
 policing
 the impact of anti-discrimination legisilation.

You’ll engage with pressing debates on race, ethnicity and racism. You’ll explore the experiences of minority ethnic groups and you’ll explore the factors which exclude them from mainstream society. We’ll focus on the UK, but also consider ethnic minorities in other cultures. We’ll highlight the complexities of social constructions of race and other social inequalities.

Work-based Learning

On this module, you will build skills that are attractive to employers. You will gain an understanding and awareness of work and your future employability.

You will be supported to participate in work, community and extra curricular settings. You will develop and engage with self directed learning and structure reflection. Learning from your experience and personal advancement - you will gain insight and direction for possible future professional roles.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Social Anthropology Dissertation
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This module gives you the chance to do research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll have the support of expert tutors. Whether you’re exploring contemporary dance in Kampala or Neolithic development in Southwest Asia, your dissertation is an opportunity for you to showcase your passions, expertise and advanced learning in Social Anthropology.

Optional modules

Development and Humanitarianism

In this module, you’ll explore the changing relationship between anthropology, and international development (the idea that different countries have different levels of development). You’ll gain a strong grounding in international development. You’ll gain key analytical skills as you dive into debates on the relationship between anthropology and development. You’ll explore key issues for anthropologists working in international development, including:

 gender relations
 environmental issues
 health
 youth
 Religion.

You’ll compare ideas and practices in international development. You’ll look at approaches to social policy, inequality and well-being in the UK. And you disrupt the lines we draw between North and South, developed and underdeveloped, or advanced and emerging economies and societies.

Minorities and Marginality in Contemporary Japan

We often assume that only the Japanese live in Japan. In this module, you’ll meet Japan’s ethnic minorities and marginalised groups. You’ll understand their experiences - both historically and today. You’ll gain key analytical skills as you relate minorities in Japan to broader concerns with:

 ethnic and cultural identity and conflict
 class structure
 nationality
 hybridity in cultures
 diaspora (people living outside their original homeland).

People and Other Animals

As humans, we’ve lived closely with other animals since the dawn of time. We have a long history of interacting with each other. In this module, you’ll examine the complex and contradictory elements in people-animal relations, including:

 animals as food
 companion animals
 animals as nature.

Africa: Social and Economic Transformations

In this module, you’ll explore key themes in African cultures - from the colonial era to today. You’ll explore how anthropology can shed light on experiences of social and economic transformation across the continent. You’ll dig into detailed accounts of people’s everyday lives, reflecting on:

 the shifting nature of kinship
 gender issues
 intergenerational tensions
 economic morality

Through these intimate stories, you’ll explore broader issues of vulnerability and marginalisation. We’ll discuss what anthropology can tell us about global impoverishment. And we’ll discuss how men and women navigate fragile livelihoods in shaky economies.

Culture and Care

Why is care so fundamental to human survival and adaptation? In this module, you’ll focus on care as an alternative to anthropological accounts of conflict, competition, and violence.

You will begin by debating

 the evolutionary basis for care
 the evidence of care in prehistoric times
 notions of empathy, sympathy, and altruism.

You’ll also examine how different cultures care for children, the disabled and the elderly. You’ll look critically at whether current social institutions deliver care, as well as cure. You will look at how we care for non-human life and the planet. And you’ll gain core research skills for your future career, as you investigate care in the world around you through fieldwork assignments and contribute to the class blog to share your work with the world.

Anthropology Independent Study

This module gives you the chance to do independent study on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll dive into any anthropological topic you choose, with the support of expert tutors. We offer great flexibility in how you present your research. This could include:

 an essay
 annotated bibliography
 ethnographic fieldwork journal
 video / film.

Subjectivities and Social Transformation

In this module you will explore the relationship between material change, forms of social transformation and shifts in individual/communal subjectivities of people themselves. In exploring these intersections you will have the opportunity to think about, for example, the role of industrial capitalism, urbanization, neoliberalism, migration and shifting understanding of time and temporality.

Racialised Identities in Super-Diverse Societies

What shapes our racial identities? How do they play out in everyday life, alongside gender, class and age?

In this module, you’ll gain a strong understanding of identities and differences in current western societies. You’ll explore postcolonial theories of Self and Otherness. And you’ll gain key analytical skills, as you investigate the relevance of these theories to diverse societies today.