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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
MA in Social Anthropology
Advanced study in Social Anthropology.
Our School is highly inter-disciplinary and our postgraduate students can benefit from a wide variety of expertise not only in the traditional fields of social anthropology but also in areas such as environmental anthropology, ethnobotany, conservation biology, biodiversity management, environmental law and, in particular, computing applications for anthropology.
This programme is designed as an advanced course in social and cultural anthropology for students who have either already studied anthropology or are looking for a sophisticated 'conversion' course. Kent's unique programme, providing in-depth generalist training in anthropological theory and fieldwork methodology while allowing access to specialised work in topics such as Visual Anthropology, the Anthropology of Ethnicity, Nationalism and Identity, Anthropology and Conservation and area specialisms, is an excellent preparation for those embarking on research degrees in anthropology or intending to enter professional fields in which anthropological training is advantageous.
The Academic Programme
Qualifications in Social Anthropology are:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Anthropology (nine month taught course)
- MA in Social Anthropology (nine month taught course plus three month dissertation)
The Postgraduate Diploma and the taught MA consist of two core modules on Current Problems in Anthropology and Anthropological Research Methods. In addition students do a further module from a range offered within the School which they choose following consultation with their supervisor. Each student is assigned a supervisor at the beginning of the year whom they are expected to meet regularly. These meetings offer students the opportunity to discuss the assignments which they are required to undertake for evaluation of their progress. Postgraduate students are required to write seven essays for evaluation. MA students write a 10,000 word dissertation in addition to their essays.(Note: Students registered for the Diploma attend the same courses as the MA students. If, on completion of their assignments, they have achieved a sufficiently high overall mark, they are given the option of proceeding to the writing of a dissertation.)
The following Master's programmes are recognised by the ESRC as having research training status, so successful completion of these courses is sufficient preparation for research in the various fields of social anthropology. Many of our students do, in fact, go on to do MPhil and PhD research. Others use their Master's qualification in employment ranging from research in government departments to teaching to consultancy work overseas.