Studying Anthropology at Exeter
Dr Tom Rice – Programme Director
What is Anthropology?
‘Anthropology is the study of people throughout
the world, their evolutionary history, how they
behave, adapt to different environments,
communicate and socialise with one another...’
Royal Anthropological Institute
Three-field approach to Anthropology at Exeter
– Physical/Biological Anthropology
primarily concerned with human evolution, genetics,
primatology, etc.
– Archaeology
examines artifacts and material culture to understand and
document societies, cultural patterns and processes
– Social/Cultural Anthropology
the study of human cultural diversity and social life
(language, culture, politics, family, religion etc)
• Physical anthropology and archaeology taught in the Department of
Archaeology
• Social Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Philosophy
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Bronislaw Malinowski
(1884-1942)
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Fieldwork:
Immersive
Gaining a holistic view of a society
through lived experience.
Grasping the WORLD VIEW of those
under study.
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Questions to ponder:
- How do social groups organise themselves?
-In what ways are societies different and in what ways
the same?
- Are there human universals?
- How do concepts and categories shape how we (and
others) think?
-How does globalisation affect people in non-Western
(and Western) societies?
- What is society? What is culture?
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Steve Feld and
the Kaluli
Anthropology at Exeter
An anthropology of the contemporary, for
the contemporary.
Dedicated anthropology staff with active
research on a wide range of topics…
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Options/teaching inspired by research
Health and disability
Human/animal
interactions
Music and sound
Addiction
Childhood
Consumerism
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Family life
Warfare
Sport
Professor
Anthony King
Dr Ann
Kelly
Our degrees
Typical offer varies – usually AAB but check entry requirements
• Single Honours
– BA /BSc Anthropology
– BA has stronger focus on cultural/social anthropology
– BSc includes more physical/biological anthropology
• Combined Honours
– BA Sociology and Anthropology
– BA Archaeology and Anthropology
• Flexible Combined Honours
– with (potentially) any one or two disciplines from across
the University
– Year study abroad and UK work experience options
Single Honours
120 credits each year with increasing levels of choice
• Year 1 (core 90/options 30)
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– BA: introductory modules in socio/cultural anthropology (key
theories/concepts illustrated by case studies from around the
world)
– BSc: introduction in social anthropology and physical
anthropology (including forensic anthropology and analysing
archaeological evidence)
– Options
Year 2 (core 60 /options 60)
– BA: Contemporary ethnography/current debates
– BSc: Contemporary Ethnography/current debates and
quantitative analysis
– Options
Year 3 (core 30 /options 90)
– Options /dissertation
Combined Honours
120 credits each year with increasing levels of choice
• Year 1 (core 120)
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– Core introductory modules in socio/cultural anthropology (main
theories/concepts illustrated by case studies from around the
world)
– Core modules from either Archaeology or Sociology
Year 2 (core 60 /options 60)
– Contemporary ethnography/current debates
– Core 2nd year modules from Archaeology or Sociology
– Options
Year 3 (core 30 /options 90)
– Dissertation/options (in either Anthropology, Sociology or
Archaeology)
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Examples of options
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Research methods
Childhood
Cultures of War
Ethnomusicology
Consumer Society
Illness, Bodies and Medicine
Sport and Society
Globalisation
Anthrozoology
Regional options (e.g., Africa)
Sound and Society
• BUT YOU CAN DO UP TO 30 CREDITS
PER YEAR IN ANY OTHER SUBJECT!!!
Learning and teaching
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Minimum of 10 contact hours a week
Lectures, seminars, tutorials
Support of personal tutor
Practical skills training e.g. research methods,
ethnography, project design
• Field trips (for Archaeology or depending on
your degree)
• Virtual learning environment - online support
including presentations, lecture notes, and
articles
• Strong feedback systems and staff/student
liaison committees
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology
Field schools
Employability
• Anthropology gives you specific skills
valued by employers
– Research, discussion and presentation skills
– capacity to understand alternative points of view and to grasp social
dynamics
– Ability to think creatively and imaginatively, as well as analytically
• Range of organisations use
anthropologists
– Governments – overseas agencies, domestic and foreign policy
makers, research bodies, archaeological investigations
– Non-governmental organisations – United Nations, international
development bodies, cross-cultural charities
– Corporations – designing products for overseas markets, sales
campaigns, advertising companies
• Careers and Employment Service
provide practical help and advice
More information
• www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology - full details
of our programmes including descriptions of
module choices/entry requirements
• www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate - all you
need to know about student life and
studying in Exeter
• 01392 723192 - for more information or to
arrange a visit
www.exeter.ac.uk/anthropology