BA Social Anthropology
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-10-10 | - |
| 2024-01-16 | - |
| 2024-04-24 | - |
Program Overview
The BA Social Anthropology degree explores what it is to be human in a complex and changing world.
You will study the great variety of beliefs and practices that exist around the world, from remote communities to global cities. You will learn theoretical frameworks and question your own assumptions, helping you to think creatively about how to address global problems.
Bridging the humanities and social sciences, anthropology offers a unique approach grounded in real-world research allowing for a greater understanding in cultural differences, political dynamics, social conflict, and human creativity.
Studying at SOAS is unique as it draws from the regional expertise of our academics in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern languages and societies. If you are passionate about understanding human society and behaviour, and want to learn to think critically about the world around you, then this Anthropology course is for you.
Why study Social Anthropology at SOAS?
th
in the UK (2023 Times/Sunday Times League Table).Program Outline
Students take
120 credits per year
composed of compulsory and optional modules.All students are expected to complete all compulsory modules.
Students are entitled to select
up to 30 credits
of Open Option modules per year.
These modules can be in anthropology or based in other departments within the School, either in another subject or a language option.Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Students will take the following compulsory modules (90 credits in total):
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
101A Anthropology in and of the World: An Introduction (A) |
15 |
|
101B Anthropology in and of the World: An Introduction (B) |
15 |
|
102A SOAS Anthropology Now (A) |
15 |
|
102B SOAS Anthropology Now (B) |
15 |
|
201 World Social Theory: Imagining Society from 500BCE to 1900 |
15 |
|
202 Social Theory, Reform and Revolution in an Age of Extremes |
15 |
Guided options term 1
Students take the following guided option
or
a 15 credit module from the language open options.| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
150 Mind at University |
15 |
Guided options term 2
Students take one 15 credit module from the following guided options
or
a 15 credit module from the language open options list.| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
190 Year 1 Seminar: Explorations in Anthropology |
15 |
|
Languages of the World |
15 |
|
Decolonising Pop: K-Pop and Beyond |
15 |
Year 2
Credits must be taken in the following combination:
and
and
Compulsory modules
Students will take the following modules (45 credits in total):
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
211 Anthropology Through History |
15 |
|
212 Theory in Anthropology |
15 |
|
213 Ethnography in Practice |
15 |
List A regional modules
Students will take 15 credits from List A
Note: the other regional module may be taken as a guided option under List B.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I) |
15 |
|
302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II) |
15 |
List B guided options
Students will take a minimum of 30 credits from List B
and
a maximum of 30 credits from second year open options (language open options, and non-language open options).| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
251 Anthropology of Economic Life |
15 |
|
301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I) |
15 |
|
302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II) |
15 |
|
351 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches |
15 |
|
352 Anthropology of 'Race', Gender and Sexuality |
15 |
|
Language, Society and Communication |
15 |
|
Beyond Regions: Cultures in the Diaspora |
15 |
Year 3
Credits must be taken in the following combination:
and
and
Compulsory modules
Students will take the following modules (30 credits in total):
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
401B Concepts in Anthropology (B) |
15 |
|
401A Concepts in Anthropology (A) |
15 |
Guided options
Students will take between a minimum of 30 credits from List A and a minimum of 30 credits from List B.
List A
or
Term 2 (not both
)cannot
be taken again in Year 3| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
301 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (I) |
15 |
|
302 Regional Perspectives in Anthropology (II) |
15 |
|
351 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches |
15 |
|
353 Anthropology and Climate Change |
15 |
|
451 Medical Anthropology: An Introduction |
15 |
|
Issues in Gender and Development |
15 |
|
498A/B Directed Readings in Anthropology (T1/T2) |
15 |
List B
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
|
352 Anthropology of 'Race', Gender and Sexuality |
15 |
|
453 Mind, Culture and Psychiatry |
15 |
|
490 Special Topics in Contemporary Anthropology |
15 |
|
499 Independent Study Project in Anthropology |
30 |
|
Museums and Museology |
15 |
|
The Music Business |
15 |
And
Maximum of 30 credits from Third year open options
l
anguage and non-language open options.The academic staff in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology are dynamic, experienced teachers who are widely recognised for their expertise and enjoy working directly with students. Renowned scholars from other institutions also come to share their knowledge. The SOAS Anthropology Department sponsors several lecture series that are open to students, including the weekly Departmental Research Seminar, the Food Studies Centre's Food Forum and the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies’ Seminar Series.
In addition to these formal settings for learning, our students also learn from one another. Hailing from around the globe, their diverse life experiences make our classes an exciting, rich environment for cultural and intellectual exchange. Students also benefit from campus-wide programmes, clubs, study groups, and performances.
The modules are taught by lectures and group discussions. Students become active in class through their reading and essay-writing as well as their participation in discussion groups. Whatever the topic, modules draw particularly on ethnographic studies of China, Japan, South East Asia, South Asia, the Near and Middle East, West Africa and East Africa, as well as their diasporas.
Independent Study Project (ISP)
The ISP can be taken by final-year students only. This is an opportunity for students to conduct original anthropological research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to undertake ethnographic fieldwork and/or library-based research. It is supported by a bi-weekly seminar on anthropological research and writing and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography).
SOAS Library
SOAS Library
is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.Pre-entry reading
Students from SOAS’ Department of Anthropology and Sociology develop an in-depth understanding of the world. Employers value our graduates’ cultural awareness and global perspective, as well as their skills in analysis, data interpretation and problem-solving.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
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