Anthropology

The Anthropology MRes offers students a thorough grounding in a wide range of biological or social science methodologies and methods, an advanced knowledge of contemporary questions in anthropology, and training in statistical and professional skills, which prepare graduates for doctoral research or employment as social science researcher.

Students develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of topics in one of the sub-disciplines of anthropology (biological, social or material culture). They are prepared for advanced level research through a general training in social science research methods and specialised research training in broad-based anthropological research methods and techniques.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (45 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a research dissertation (105 credits).

Core modules

• Research Methods and Skills
• Ethnographic Area: Critical Literature Review

Optional modules

• The following is a selection of possible option modules:
• Anthropological and Archaeological Genetics
• Anthropology of Art and Design
• Anthropology of China
• Anthropology of Nationalism, Ethnicity and Race
• Anthropology of Socialist and Post-Socialist Societies
• Anthropology of the Built Environment
• Ecology of Human Groups
• Evolution of Human Brain, Cognition and Language
• History and Aesthetics of Documentary
• Mass Consumption and Design
• Medical Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology and Primary Care
• Palaeoanthropology
• Population and Development
• Practical Ethnographic and Documentary Filmmaking
• Primate Socioecology
• Risk, Power and Uncertainty
• Ritual Healing and Therapeutic Employment
• Social Construction of Landscape

Dissertation/report

All MRes students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of approximately 17,000 words (inclusive of notes).

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group presentations and discussion, tutorials, laboratory and practical work, independent directed reading, interactive teamwork, video, and film and web-based courses. Assessment is through coursework, unseen and take-home examination, laboratory books, posters and the dissertation.

Fieldwork

Students usually conduct fieldwork over the summer after the end of the third term. The research carried out will inform the final dissertation,