INTRODUCTION
What is anthropology?
Anthropology is the study of human societies
and cultural difference, at all times and in all places. Its approach
is comparative, in that we ask not only why people think and act in
the ways they do, but why they should do things in one way here and
in another way there. It is holistic, in that it looks for connections
between aspects of life – familial, economic, political, religious –
that are otherwise parcelled up between different disciplines for separate
study. It looks at social life ‘from the inside', from the point of
view of those living it, with an emphasis on the fine grain of everyday
activities. And to gain this inside view, it adopts the method of participant
observation, involving prolonged periods of fieldwork. Perhaps what
is most distinctive about the subject, however, is that anthropologists
don't so much study people as study with people. We learn to
see things in the ways they do. And that can lead us to perceive our
own world quite differently too. An education in anthropology, therefore
not only furnishes us with knowledge about the world; it also
educates our perception of the world, and opens our eyes to
other possibilities of being. It is about learning how to learn.
Why study
anthropology at Aberdeen?
The scope of contemporary anthropology
is reflected in the way the subject is taught at Aberdeen. To study
the subject here is to join in an exciting new intellectual venture.
We offer an innovatory programme, with the emphasis throughout on work
at the cutting edge of the discipline, and on problems of pressing concern
for people the world over. You will benefit from the close links with
other programmes, such as those in Cultural History and Sociology, from
the resources of the University's Marischal Museum and Elphinstone Institute,
with their unique anthropological and ethnological collections, and
above all from the opportunity to study in an environment where staff
and research students are actively engaged in top-class, internationally
recognised research. While Aberdeen's contribution to the anthropology
of the North is second to none, we are also developing exciting new
research in the fields of art, visual perception, museums and material
culture.
TEACHING
OBJECTIVES
The study of anthropology involves the
development of critical, conceptual and analytical skills. The Department
is committed to ensuring that its students have a good working knowledge
of anthropology and the ability and imagination to apply this knowledge.
We aim to develop and enhance skills of critical enquiry, clear communication,
good presentation and independence of judgement – indeed all the virtues
of a sound liberal education.
THE DEGREE
In an Honours degree at Aberdeen, there
are two foundation years before you choose between taking Anthropology
alone (Single Honours), or Anthropology with another subject, such as
Sociology, Geography, Psychology or Cultural History, for Joint Honours.
The modular degree structure lets you
sample a range of subjects before deciding which one to take to Honours.
Most courses are taught through lectures and small-group seminars and
are assessed by a combination of essays and formal examinations. For
Honours students the year-long research project forms a major part of
the final degree class.
THE DEGREE
STRUCTURE
The design of the Anthropology Honours
degree allows for a clear progression. Courses are available at Levels
1 to 4. There is an Honours degree and a Designated degree in Anthropology.
At Level 1, we offer two introductory courses, Introduction
to Anthropology I in the first half-session, and Introduction
to Anthropology II in the second. In these courses we introduce
some of the key questions of contemporary anthropological debate. Does
human nature exist? How do human beings differ from other animals? How
do they make a living? Why do people differ in the ways they perceive
their environments? What is the relation between language and thought?
How do they grow up to become knowledgeable members of their communities?
How does traditional knowledge differ from modern science? How do societies
define their kin? How does culture affect the way we think about sex
and gender? Do economic systems shape our perceptions of the world?
How do symbols, rituals, and religious systems regulate daily life?
How has colonialism structured notions of racial differences? What are
the causes of ethnicity and nationalism? Does development improve or
worsen the plight of third-world peoples?
In the first half-session
of Level 2, Understanding Social Relations
examines anthropological concepts of society and social relations through
ethnographic studies. It addresses the question of how the person is
defined in different cultures and the relationship between the individual
and society. Among the issues discussed in the course are ethnic identity,
witchcraft and magic, and spirit possession. During the second half-session,
students take Perceiving Cultural Differences. This
builds on Introduction to Anthropology I and II by focusing on kinship,
gender and social relatedness, symbols and metaphors, ways of speaking,
the relations between how people talk and how they think, language and
the study of signs, and power.
Levels 3 and 4 (Honours years)
provide opportunities to build on this knowledge base. At Level
3 students take courses in Doing Anthropological Research,
Society and Nature, Anthropological Theory.
Students are introduced to the major
concepts and theoretical debates of the discipline, gain insight into
the practice, politics and ethics of doing and writing ethnography,
and learn about qualitative methods of research and analysis. Under
the close supervision of a member of staff, students also begin work
on their individual research projects, involving the collection and
analysis of original material. At Level 4, students
complete their projects and choose courses on a range of special topics
that reflect the nature of modern anthropology.
These include: Indigenous Media;
Aboriginal Rights in a Global Context; Anthropology, Archaeology, Art
and Architecture; Language in Culture and Society; Anthropology of the
North; Advanced Anthropological Theory; Anthropology and Landscape;
and Material Culture and Museums.
Click here for more detailed
information on the undergraduate courses and degree structure.
CAREERS
Anthropology provides insight into the
complexity of social life and social processes and the diversity of
cultures and social institutions. While not a directly career-oriented
subject, anthropology challenges students to think critically, gives
them a training in how to understand society from many different perspectives,
and equips them with practical skills in working with people in a variety
of cultural contexts. It therefore offers an excellent introduction
for entry into many careers. Anthropology graduates work in research
and teaching, in television, radio and journalism, with overseas development
agencies and non-governmental organisations, as well as many other fields
and professions.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Along with the Departments of Sociology
and Politics & International Relations, the Department of Anthropology
forms part of the School of Social Science. The Department currently
has eight members of staff, together with four full-time post-doctoral
researchers and around forty postgraduate students. Anthropology staff
are internationally renowned and are active in publishing and supervising
research. Our particular strengths lie in the anthropology of the North
and in art, visual perception and material culture. Further information
on the Department and its courses and staff members is available at
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/anthropology.
ADMISSION
ENQUIRIES
How do I apply?
All admissions are handled
by the University's Student Recruitment & Admissions Service and
not the department. They can be contacted at the address below:
Student Recruitment
& Admissions Service
University of
Aberdeen
University Office
King's College
ABERDEEN
AB24 3FX
Tel. +44 (0)1224 272090 / 1, Fax: +44 (0)1224 272576,
E-mail: sras@abdn.ac.uk
This information is designed to supplement the information
about the University and its courses which is given in the Undergraduate
Prospectus, published each year. If you wish to receive a Prospectus,
free of charge, please contact us. We are also happy to answer all enquiries
about studying here, or to arrange a visit if you wish to come and see
the University. Our address is : STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS
SERVICE, University of Aberdeen, Regent Walk, Aberdeen AB24
3FX. Tel: 01224 272090/272091 Fax : 01224 272576 E-mail : sras@abdn.ac.uk
Internet: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras
or the departmental website on http://www.abdn.ac.uk/anthropology
Further information
Information for undergraduates and postgraduates about
research and courses can be found by viewing either online
prospectus.
Information on the courses offered by this and other
departments can be found in the University Catalogue
of Courses.
Information about our English
Language Requirements can be found by following this link.
All enquiries about entry to the University are dealt
with by our Student Recruitment
and Admissions Service office, email: sras@abdn.ac.uk.
Please check our postgraduate
pages for information on postgraduate applications and courses.
Return
to top
