Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title
B.A. Social Anthropology and African Studies Full-time
Programme Code
607H
Delivery Location
Campus
Language of Study
English
Length of Programme
3 Year(s)
Accreditations
This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme
This programme combines social anthropology and interdisciplinary African studies.
The social anthropology side of the programme provides students with a comprehensive overview of the discipline of social anthropology, incorporating theoretical and methodological training, and covering a range of topics and sub-fields. Students will gain an understanding of the historical development of the discipline through a syllabus that brings together widely acknowledged anthropological thinkers and schools of thoughts with critical voices and perspectives.
The African Studies side of the programme introduces students to the study of Africa from a range of disciplinary perspectives. Students will study the history, politics and culture of a range of African societies. Drawing on primary sources and scholarly analyses of African societies from the pre-to the post-colonial era, the programme encourages an awareness both of the dynamics of change over time and of the place of sub-Saharan Africa within the global context. By learning through an interdisciplinary lens, students will develop the ability to work with different methodological and analytical frameworks.
Joint Honours graduates will display a broad knowledge of social anthropology and African studies and be able to demonstrate intellectual versatility and organisational flexibility. The programme will encourage independent and critical thinking, culminating in a dissertation based on supervised independent research in the final year of study in either social anthropology or African studies.
The programme will prepare students for a wide range of careers and will provide a sound base for further study in social anthropology, African studies, history, international development or related disciplines. Students will develop an innovative range of skills in research, analysis and presentation, alongside an appreciation of the diversity of contemporary human cultures and societies within and beyond Africa. Graduates will have the transferable skills that are associated with all arts, humanities and social science degree programmes, including: identification of areas of enquiry and relevant sources of information; referencing, evaluation, synthesis and analysis of information in the light of relevant methodological and theoretical frameworks; clear and coherent communication in person and on paper.
For Year/Semester abroad only:
Study abroad will provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the society and culture of a foreign country while gaining experience of a different academic environment and way of teaching. Study abroad also provides an opportunity for students to improve their existing language proficiency (where applicable) as well as enhancing their organisation and communication skills and their employability through a proven ability to succeed in a foreign setting.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of:
Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods:
and assessed using the following methods:
1. A range of sub-Saharan African environments and societies, and the dynamics of change over time (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
2. The place of sub-Saharan Africa within the global context (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
3. The merits of contrasting theories in the analysis of sub-Saharan African societies (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
4. The key methods and concepts of the contributory disciplines in African Studies, including aAnthropology’?s emphasis on empirical fieldwork as the primary method of gathering data and as a basis for the generation of anthropological theory (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
5. The ethical issues entailed in the study of social worlds and the representation of others, and the potential applications and misapplications of Anthropology (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
6. The history of the discipline of aAnthropology and the emergence of sub-fields (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
7. The nature and extent of human diversity and commonality, and the different explanations that have been offered for this diversity (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
8. Semester/ Year Abroad only - Demonstrate the ability to study relevant topics at an international institution and appreciate the difference between study in the UK and overseas. (DipHE, BA)
1-7. Lectures, seminars, independent reading and individual / group project work. For BA only research for the final-year dissertation
8. Year Abroad
1-7. Group/individual presentations, written assignments, essays, and (for BA only) supervised individual dissertation
8. Year Abroad Module (assessment as required by host institution).
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes:
Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods:
and assessed using the following methods:
1. The ability to identify and assess different theoretical approaches within the discipline of Anthropology, and to make connections between Anthropology and other disciplines in the field of African Studies (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
2. The ability to identify an issue or area of enquiry; to question cultural assumptions about this issue; and to search for, select and evaluate relevant sources of information (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
3. Ability to summarise, synthesise, analyse and evaluate others’ arguments, and to formulate their own logical and structured arguments, normally both orally and in writing, with appropriate supporting evidence (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
4. Independent study skills (self-organisation, initiative and self-direction; time management; autonomous research skills; the ability to collect, organise, synthesise and evaluate information; planning, drafting and editing) (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
5. The ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing, drawing on independent study skills acquired on the programme ( DipHE, BA)
6. Ability to work as a member of a team in a range of contexts, including the capacity to listen, to respond flexibly to feedback, to understand diverse perspectives, and to negotiate solutions collectively (CertHE/DipHE/BA)
7. Transferable skills relevant to employment, including problem-solving, self-reliance, initiative, adaptability, flexibility, resilience, self-motivation, and competences such as note-taking, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, ability to use and manipulate digital resources and to present information and ideas effectively using ICT. (CertHE, DipHE, BA)
8. Year abroad only: To achieve an enhanced cultural awareness through direct interactions with society and institutions in another country. To develop a range of marketable skills including problem solving, communication, patience and perseverance, determination, self-motivation, analytical and study skills through direct interactions with society and institutions in another country. (DipHE, BA)
1-7. Lectures, seminars, workshops, project work and independent reading; and (for BA only) dissertation
8. Year Abroad
1-7. Written coursework, ground/individual presentations, and (for BA only) dissertation
8. Year Abroad Module (assessment as required by host institution).
