Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title
B.A. History with Social Anthropology with Year Abroad Full-time
Programme Code
593H
Delivery Location
Campus
Language of Study
English
Length of Programme
4 Year(s)
Accreditations
This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme
This programme combines the study of social anthropology and history.
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 thought with critical voices and perspectives. The programme aims to develop an innovative range of transferable skills in research, analysis and presentation, alongside an appreciation of the diversity of contemporary human cultures and societies.
The history side of the programme provides students the opportunity to acquire an understanding of historical events and processes – and of the enduring legacies of the past – across a range of topics that span diverse chronologies (from the Bronze Age to the present day). geographies and scales (from the West Midlands to Africa, Asia, and the Americas). In so doing, the programme develops a range of analytical and organisational skills, independent and critical thinking, and the ability to synthesise and communicate information and ideas. These attributes will be developed through three interlocked strands of the curriculum:
• Studying History through which students will develop a specialist knowledge of particular historical topics that span a range of periods (from the ancient world to the present day), of geographies (from the local to the global), and themes;
• Understanding History through which students will develop an understanding of the theoretical and methodological development of the discipline and its place in contemporary culture and society;
• and Doing History through which students will undertake original historical research both as an individual and as part of a team.
The programme also attunes students to contemporary challenges within and beyond the discipline – globalisation; sustainability; inequalities – and to the importance of thinking critically about heritage, conservation, and the place of the past in public life. As such, diversity is the heart of the curriculum. The programme recovers and reintegrates the voices of those previously marginalised by virtue of race, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, or excluded by virtue of dominant narratives of the past and enables and encourages students to explore the histories and cultures of different peoples, societies, and cultures from around the world. The programme challenges students to engage with communities in the city, the region, and beyond.
Graduates will display a broad knowledge of social anthropology and history 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 history.
The programme will prepare students for a wide range of careers and will provide a sound base for further study in social anthropology, history or related disciplines. Students will develop 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.
(See 'Other Information' for details relating to the Year Abroad)
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:
A body of historical information characterised by geographical range, thematic breadth and chronological depth
A range of sources available to historians– including, but not limited to, textual primary evidence – and an awareness of both their value and their limitations.
The historiographical development of core debates in history, and an appreciation of the reasons for continued controversies;
The conceptual, theoretical, and ideological influences on historical events and processes, and on their interpretation.
The enduring legacies of the past and the relevance of historical knowledge and understanding to the interpretation of contemporary events.
The scope, range and history of social anthropology
The importance of empirical fieldwork as the primary method of gathering data and as a basis for the generation of anthropological theory and the comparative study of human societies
The nature and extent of human diversity and commonality, and the different explanations that have been offered for this diversity
The ethical issues entailed in the study of social worlds and the representation of others, and the potential applications and misapplications of anthropology
(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.
1-9. Attendance at and contributions to Lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, alongside independent reading and individual/group project work in subject-specific modules and engagement with digital resources and exercises; (for BA only) supervised research for the final-year dissertation module
10. Year Abroad (as delivered by the host institution)
1-5: The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers, and – for BA only – Dissertations) of varying lengths.
1-5: Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group.
6-9. Written coursework; collaborative and/or individual research projects; individual or group presentations; and (for BA only) dissertation
10. 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:
The ability to evaluate, analyse, synthesise, and interpret a wide range of primary and secondary historical material, and to demonstrate an appropriate awareness of the historical contexts in which these materials were produced.
The ability to understand relevant methods and concepts from historical studies and from other related disciplines – including, but not limited to, anthropology, archaeology, economics, political science, and sociology – and to apply these in conjunction with historical evidence.
The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively both in writing – across a range of different forms and styles – and orally, displaying appropriate intellectual flexibility and disciplined imagination
The ability to identify, assess and make use of different theoretical approaches within the discipline of social anthropology, including those which recognise and analyse social change and relations of power
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
Be able to undertake work involving key anthropological research methods, including gathering, recording and presenting primary data.
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)
The ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing, drawing on independent study skills acquired on the programme
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.
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
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
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.
1-3, 7-11: Attendance at and contributions to lectures, seminars, and tutorials, alongside independent study and engagement with digital resources and exercises.
4-11, Lectures, seminars, workshops, independent reading, group/individual presentations, (for BA only) an individually supervised dissertation at LH.
7-8 Engagement in independent Dissertation research.
12. Year Abroad (as delivered by the host institution)
Written coursework; unseen timed examinations; collaborative and/or individual research projects; individual or group presentations; and (for BA only) dissertation
1- 3, 7-11. The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths.
4-11. Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group.
7-8 Dissertation.
12. Year Abroad Module (assessment as required by host institution).
