ROPO LO GY

ANTH

gold.ac.uk/anthropology Undergraduate
1 2
 Anthropology at Goldsmiths
is fast and contemporary.
Youll focus on how Anthropology
1
can help us understand society
INTRODUCTION
and our place within it, by
applying it as a lens to explore
2
everything from myth and ritual
to new technologies.
Anthropology deals with a
number of issues that are
3
currently being debated in
the media and other spheres
of contemporary society:
globalisation, migration,
4
refugees, human rights,
minorities, development,
religious fundamentalism,
drug policies, and the role of
health care. Its the scientific
and holistic study of the human
species, from the politics of food
to social reconciliation.
1 2
Why choose Anthropology
at Goldsmiths?
Were interdisciplinary. Youll be able to look
at this small but intense discipline in relation to
a whole range of others, from politics and religion
to philosophy and psychology.
Were offering breadth and depth. Youll
delve into universal issues covering questions
of power, ethnicity, and gender identity, and
discover areas such as the anthropology of art.
Youll also apply anthropologys distinctive
ethnographic method closer to home, through
fieldwork focusing on local life.
Were interested in you. Youre an individual
with your own particular experiences and gifts,
so youll never be just a number. Your lectures,
small group seminars, practical workshops, film
screenings and field trips are led by a committed
and approachable team.
Were rated highly. Weve been ranked
joint top in the UK for effective teaching in the
2016 Guardian University Guide league tables
for this subject, and 36th in the world in the
QS World University Rankings by subject, 2016.
 TYPICAL MODULES

Year 1
Compulsory modules:

BA (Hons) Anthropology Introduction to

Social Anthropology
3 years full-time, or 4 years part-time Ethnography of a
gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-anthropology Selected Region I
OUR DEGREES
Anthropological Methods
Ethnographic Film
Youll be introduced to the key issues, Anthropology Today
themes and problems that have shaped
Anthropology in London
BA (Hons) Anthropology anthropological thought since the
19th century. Youll study all kinds of
Anthropological Ideas
human society and culture, and develop
BA (Hons) Anthropology & Media an understanding of the relevance
Year 2
of anthropology for understanding
BA (Hons) Anthropology & Sociology contemporary cultural issues. Compulsory modules:
Anthropology of Religion
BA (Hons) Anthropology In your first and second years, youll Anthropology and the Visual I
& Visual Practice concentrate on key anthropological concepts Politics, Economics and
such as kinship, politics, economics, ritual, Social Change
BA (Hons) History & Anthropology world systems, and development. Youll look Ethnography of a
at the methods of studying and analysing Selected Region II
these concepts, including the use of video,
BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy film and written texts. Over these two years
General Principles in
Social Anthropology
& Economics youll also choose two ethnographic regions
of the world to study in depth.
BA (Hons) Religion Year 3
In your final year, you have the choice Compulsory module:
Integrated Degree in Anthropology between completing a standard-length
Individual Project
individual project or a longer, extended
(including Foundation Year) project. Youll complete this alongside your
or
choice of advanced anthropology modules Extended Individual Project
These degrees can be taken as Four-Year Degrees (with that reflect Goldsmiths fresh approach Plus five or six advanced
International Foundation Year). Designed especially for anthropology options
international students, they include modules that support
to anthropology (see page 12).
(see page 12)
language and academic skills development. Visit gold.ac.uk/
study/four-year-degrees-international-foundation

3 4
BA (Hons)
Anthropology & Media
3 years full-time
gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-anthropology-media
Youll combine your passion for anthropology
and ethnography studies with two areas
of media practice, from journalism,
photography, TV production, illustration,
animation, radio, and creative writing.
In your first year youll learn about the
main sub-fields within social anthropology
political anthropology, economic
anthropology, and kinship.
For the media element, youll be introduced to
key debates in media studies, and examine the
way in which media texts construct meaning.
In your second year, youll master the main
theories in social anthropology and complete
your first hands-on media practice module.
Your third year is all about designing your
learning experience by choosing the thematic,
regional or practical areas that interest you
most. Youll complete your second media
practice module and choose from advanced
anthropology and media options.
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TYPICAL MODULES
Year 1
Compulsory modules:
Introduction to
Social Anthropology
Anthropological Methods
Ethnography of a
Selected Region 1
Media History and Politics
Key Debates in Media Studies
Culture and Cultural Studies
Film and the Audiovisual
Year 2
Compulsory modules:
Anthropology of Religion
Anthropology and the Visual 1
Politics, Economics and
Social Change
Media Production option 1
Plus two options from:
Communications Psychology
and Experience
Media Economy and Society
Culture, Society and
the Individual
Year 3
Compulsory module:
Media Production option 2
Plus four advanced anthropology
modules (see page 12)
Plus advanced media options
such as:
Media, Ethnicity and Nation
Political Communications,
History and Culture
After New Media
BA (Hons) Anthropology
TYPICAL MODULES
& Sociology
3 years full-time Year 1
gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-anthropology-sociology Compulsory modules:
Critical Readings: The Emergence
of Sociological Rationality
Anthropology and Sociology are a pair of subjects
Modern Knowledge,
that together enjoy a shared tradition, dealing
Modern Power
with human behaviours in their social context
yet separately offering different perspectives. Introduction to
Social Anthropology
While Anthropology looks comparatively at Anthropological Methods
society from pre-history to the present through
Ethnography of a Selected Region 1
environmental and social relations, and culture,
Sociology focuses more on historical societies after
the transition to modernity. Year 2
Compulsory modules:
In your first year, youll get to know the
main theories within anthropology and Central Issues in
understand ethnography and anthropological Sociological Analysis
methodological practice. The Making of the Modern World
Anthropology of Religion
In your compulsory sociology modules, youll look
at the subjects key texts and thinkers and come Anthropology and the Visual
to understand the disciplines development Politics, Economics and
and distinguishing features. Social Change
Methodological and
In your second year youll choose one sociology
Philosophical Issues in
option then take six compulsory modules: two from
Sociology and Anthropology
sociology, three from anthropology and a link
module which is taught jointly by both departments. Plus one sociology option such as:
Sex, Drugs and Technology
Youll consider the anthropology of religion,
London
morals and symbolism, and explore interactions
between current changing economic and political Marxism
structures. In the link module, youll become
familiar with methodological and philosophical Year 3
issues in both disciplines.
Compulsory module:
The link module in your third year allows you to Theorising Contemporary Society
examine how the world has changed since classical At least two advanced anthropology
sociological theory was produced. options (see page 12), plus at least
two sociology options such as:
Youll complete a supervised dissertation on
the topic of your choice, or select from a range Privacy, Surveillance and Security
of sociology options. Youll also choose from Race, Racism and Social Theory
a selection of anthropology options. Making Data Matter
Optional Dissertation
 TYPICAL MODULES TYPICAL MODULES
BA (Hons) Anthropology BA (Hons)
& Visual Practice History & Anthropology Year 1
Compulsory modules:
3 years full-time Year 1 3 years full-time, or 4-5 years part-time Introduction to
gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-anthropology-visual-practice Compulsory modules: gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-history-anthropology Social Anthropology
Introduction to Anthropological Methods
Social Anthropology Ethnography of a Selected Region
Youll be provided with a comprehensive and Youll explore the two disciplines that are key to
Ethnography of a Concepts and Methods in History
imaginative exploration of the field of social understanding human life, culture and society in
Selected Region I
anthropology and receive practical training in the past and present, considering contemporary Plus one first-year
photography, video-making and editing. This will Anthropological Methods cultural issues from an historical perspective. history module from:
culminate in the production of a documentary Ethnographic Film As a student in the Department of History, Dictators, War and Revolution
film in your third year. Anthropological Ideas youll also have the opportunity to undertake
Religion, Peace and Conflict
a professional work placement through our
In your first year, youll take five introductory Introduction to Visual Practice History at Work scheme. Ideas and Identities
anthropology modules and your first visual
practice module. Youll get hands-on training in a Your first-year modules cover the key methods
range of equipment and software in a laboratory Year 2 and perspectives in history and anthropology.
Year 2
environment. Youll learn how to produce digital Compulsory modules: Youll learn about the role of ethnography by
photographic work (and moving image), use a focusing on the linguistic and cultural groupings Compulsory modules:
variety of professional software packages, make General Principles of of a particular region. Anthropology of Religion
high quality audio recordings, and work with Social Anthropology
Anthropology and the Visual
sound files. Economics, Politics and In your second year, youll investigate the
Social Change classic theories on religion, magic, myth, ritual, Economics, Politics and
In your second year youll be introduced to morality, symbolism and belief, then explore Social Change
Advanced Visual Practice
specialist topics in anthropology and take your the interactions between changing economic Plus two free-choice history
second visual practice module. Youll become Anthropology and the Visual and political structures in modern life via options such as:
adept at producing photographic and moving Plus: ethnographic examples. This will be alongside Nationalism, Democracy and
images using a variety of digital technology. Ethnography of a Selected two free-choice history options. You can also Dictatorship in 20th-Century
Youll also develop a command of software, Region II take a module in a foreign language or take Eastern Europe
allowing you to edit material for both web and a related study module a module from
or Modern South Asia: Disease,
documentary film. another department.
Anthropology of Religion Medicine, Empire and Nation
Your independent film project in your third In your third year, youll explore in depth the c.1600-1947
year will see you working under the supervision tensions and connections between history and
of a personal tutor to complete an independent Year 3 anthropology. Your individual project is a chance
investigation into an anthropologically and to develop your own personal interests across Year 3
Individual Project
sociologically informed area. Youll also choose the two disciplines. Youre free to choose from
Plus three advanced Compulsory modules:
modules from a range of advanced anthropology a range of history and anthropology options,
options (see page 12). anthropology modules including a Special Subject module, which is History and Anthropology
(see page 12) one you can take from another University of Individual Project
London institution. One or two advanced
history options
And one or two advanced
anthropology options (see page 12)

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BA (Hons)
TYPICAL MODULES BA (Hons)
Politics, Philosophy Religion*
& Economics Year 1
Compulsory modules:
3 years full-time
gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-religion
3 years full-time Introductory Economics
gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-politics-philosophy-economics Problems of Ethics
Issues in Cultural and
Youll gain an understanding of the world around Political Economy This degree explores critically the
you through Goldsmiths unique approach to Plus one of these modules: relationships between religion and other
the combination of subject areas known as PPE. aspects of society as diverse as culture,
World Politics
Through a critical exploration of the core themes communication, politics, economy, nation,
and ideas in politics, philosophy and economics, UK and European Comparative education, gender, law and ethnicities. It
youll be introduced to new approaches and Governance and Politics will give you the knowledge and expertise
viewpoints, which youll use to challenge The Politics of Other Cultures urgently needed in International Relations,
established political and economic policies, local government, NGOs, charities, politics,
institutions and methods. media, corporate social responsibility,
Year 2 education and the arts.
Our PPE programme takes you through
Compulsory modules:
contemporary, real-world problems so that you Bringing together academic expertise
can hit the ground running when you start your Knowledge and Subjectivity from across the Departments of Sociology,
career in public policy, NGOs, media, consulting Aesthetics Anthropology, and Politics and International
or social innovation. Economics, Politics and Relations, this degree will immerse you
Social Change in the interdisciplinary approaches to this
In your first year, youll take five compulsory influential subject.
modules that cover the foundations of economics, Plus selection from:
philosophy, and contemporary issues in political Political Economy Unlike a traditional theology or Religious
economy. Youll then choose from The Politics International Trade Studies course focusing on the specifics of
of Other Cultures, World Politics, or UK and religious beliefs, this degree examines how
International Monetary
European Comparative Politics. religious and non-religious people negotiate
Economics
the tensions and nuances of contemporary
Your second year becomes more Plus two from a selection of societies.
interdisciplinary and critical. In your economics 15-credit politics modules
modules youll look at economic anthropology Erasmus+ exchange Work placements
and explore the nature of money, property You will be encouraged to take a work
and markets. The philosophy module brings placement module in the summer term
in elements of continental philosophy and Year 3 with organisations such as: think tanks,
critical theory. Youll also choose from a range pressure groups, media, NGOs. You may
Compulsory modules:
of politics modules. also choose to work with a particular ethnic
Global Cultural Politics group, undertake advocacy for refugee or
By your third year, youll see the various Dissertation disability rights or work in the field of visual
connections between the separate fields of cultures. Your third year dissertation will be
Options:
politics, philosophy and economics, and be able empirically based and you will be encouraged
to combine them in critical and imaginative Three to six relevant to conduct research during your placement.
ways. Youll also have the chance to develop your politics module choices
original ideas into a dissertation of your choice. Optional work placement *New programme: subject to validation.

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Integrated Degree in
Anthropology (including Advanced anthropology
Foundation Year) options in Year 3
1 year (Foundation) + 3 years
(undergraduate degree) Anthropology and the Environment
gold.ac.uk/ug/integrated-degree-anthropology

This degree is ideal if you are thinking about

Anthropology and Gender Theory

YEAR 3 OPTIONS
re-entering education after some time away
from formal study. Anthropology and the Visual 2
Youll combine your passion for anthropology
with the skills and confidence to progress Anthropology and the Visual:
to the BA Anthropology degree following
successful completion of the foundation year. Production Course
In this foundation year youll take two
modules that introduce you to anthropology
Anthropology of Art
and set you up with the study skills youll
need to succeed. Anthropology of Development
Ways of Seeing
Anthropology of Health,
Youll examine how culture shapes the way
we think about the world and how we Medicine and Social Power
understand and interact with others. Youll
be introduced to the history and methods of
anthropology, and focus on understanding
Anthropology of Rights
anthropological approaches to human society,
culture and cultural difference. Anthropology of Violence
Contemporary Issues
History and Anthropology
Youll explore the cultural dimensions of
globalisation and investigate the way people
see the world and interact with other cultures Please note that modules Material Culture
in the face of rapid social, cultural and listed in this booklet were
technological change. Youll also examine the
visual aspect of anthropology, including its
correct at the time of Psychological Perspectives
uses of film and photography.
printing (September 2016)
and may change year to year
in Anthropology
Throughout the programme, youll receive depending on staff research
individual tutorial support and academic leave. You can find the most Urban Anthropology
guidance from the programme tutor and
up-to-date information about
attend a study skills course.
our degree programmes

11 13
 Anthropology and Gender Theory
Youll explore the interrelationships of gender,
sexuality and the body by bringing together ideas from
contemporary Western social/cultural theory (including
psychoanalytic, feminist and queer theories), detailed
ethnographic and historical case studies, and some
classic anthropological theories and issues. In doing
this, youll explore the ways in which the body, gender
and sexuality have been produced/imagined differently
in different times and places. The themes youll cover
include the status of the body; sex and gender as
biological or cultural; the sex/gender distinction; kinship
and concepts of the person. Youll examine, in depth,
various different approaches to gender, sexuality and
the body, including their historical and current roles
in discourses and politics of race colonialism, and
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
resistance and power.
Anthropology of Violence
In this module, youll look at the ways in which
anthropologists have explained violence, the
methodological problems of researching the topic,
the complicity of anthropologists in military projects,
and other issues. Youll explore the ethical and practical
complexities of researching, writing and engaging with
violence through anthropological sources.
Anthropology of Development
This module will enable you to explore the theoretical
concepts underpinning development, the history of
development and its institutions from NGOs to the
World Bank and IMF while considering diverse case
studies from around the world. You will also explore
the historical role of anthropologys involvement in
development, as official mediators between the West
and the rest through imperial conquest, colonial
administration and a post-war development industry.
As a central component of the module you will
critically analyse current trends that have emerged
to dominate the field of global political and economic
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interventions and/or policies participation and
empowerment, gender awareness, sustainable
development, community development, NGOs,
and environmental conservation.
Urban Anthropology
As we enter the third millennium, the percentage of
urban dwellers exceeds 50% of the worlds population.
The sub-field of urban anthropology was born as
ethnographers followed rural migrants to cities; but
at the beginning of the 20th century, the emergence
of anthropology as a professional discipline was
intertwined with a fascination with the urban locus
across a wide range of arts and social sciences.
Through historical and ethnographic perspectives this
module considers the changing use and valorisation
of different urban spaces at different times; how cities
are represented; ideas of order and disorder, of public
and domestic places, of control and resistance through
carnival, informal economies and kinship networks.
The module covers both third-world and Euro-American
cities, and supplements theoretical discourses and
ethnographies with films and novels.
Anthropology and the Visual 2
In this module youll creatively explore the role of
visual representation in anthropology in terms
of both the history of its use within the discipline,
and also the potential it holds for new ways of working.
Youll look at work in a wide range of media
photography, film/video, sound and the ways in
which they might be used in an anthropological
context, and this will involve looking at work from
outside anthropology such as photojournalism and
contemporary art, as well as the work of visual
anthropologists. Youll be provided with a strong
theoretical base and be offered a challenging and
creative view of the potentials of visual material
within anthropology.
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OUR STUDENTS
Fadah
BA Anthropology & Media
The joint Anthropology
and Media degree expanded
my perceptions and
thoughts in ways I could not
anticipate. Anthropology
shaped my outlook but
more importantly it
changed how I interpret,
assess and gather
information critically, all of
which are invaluable tools
for journalism and media.
Goldsmiths is a vibrant and
enriching place.
Hannah
BA Anthropology
& Sociology
I have been able to use
much from my sociology
courses as they were to
do with understanding
how people react to and
engage with society.
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Esther
BA History & Anthropology
Goldsmiths gave me great
practice in research whilst
letting me research what
I was interested in. The
tutors and lecturers I chose
to discuss my courses
with were very attentive
to where I wanted to go
and encouraged me to try
out various methods of
researching and of looking
at things.
Megan
BA Anthropology
World-renowned lecturers
deliver exciting and
interesting lectures each
week on a variety of topics:
colonialism, religion,
witchcraft, ritual, gift
exchange and detailed
ethnographies to name
just a few. Followed by your
chance to discuss all of
these topics in seminars,
it encourages you to voice
your opinion and debate
on something that you find
stimulating and important.
Youll take
a fresher
approach to the Anthropology
subject than can help us
the traditional understand
anthropology society and our
taught at other place within it.
institutions.

Youll look at
anthropology from
Anthropology at
a contemporary
Goldsmiths has been
perspective, which
ranked joint top in the
means that what you
UK for effective teaching
learn in the classroom
in the 2016 Guardian
will be relevant in
University Guide league
a variety of public
tables for this subject.
domains, in Britain
and elsewhere.

Youll have the skills to succeed
across a range of areas:
YOUR FUTURE
Film making and other
media careers
Journalism
Museum curating
Applied or advocacy
work for NGOs and
development agencies
Postgraduate research and
teaching in higher education
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Our particular emphasis
on public anthropology
encourages you to explore
options in practice-based and
public sector career paths.
Thinking outside the box
and on your feet
Being a thinking graduate
from Goldsmiths means
youll have the transferable
skills that will set you up for
success across any sector and
any role. These skills include:
Communication
(including public
speaking, developing
and presenting an
argument, note taking,
report writing)
Analytical thinking
Awareness of
social, political and
cultural processes
Awareness of social
and cultural differences
Career journey
Terri (BA Anthropology &
History, 2011), Collections
Information officer,
Science Museum
I always feel proud
to say that I graduated
from Goldsmiths.
Studying anthropology and
history furnished me with
the critical thinking and drive
to pursue a career in the
museum and gallery sector.
Undertaking an
interdisciplinary course was
a great option for me. I loved
how the pulse of Goldsmiths
ran on critical core theories
through all subjects and
eventually I got to grips
with how anthropology
and history complemented
each other whilst also being
independent studies.
Since graduating in 2011
I have pursued a career
working in numerous
museum and gallery roles
at Tate and the National
Maritime Museum, and
I am now a Collections
Information Officer at the
Science Museum. In this
role I organise the loans for
exhibitions, predominantly
20
working on the museums
photography gallery
Media Space.
The community and
reputation of Goldsmiths
as an institution helped
me to embrace all aspects
of my course, London life
and the wider art world.
This rich and stimulating
environment, combined with
my own desire to examine
and reassess our shared
experiences from different
perspectives, incited the
co-founding of my blog,
The Ministry of Curiosity
(theministryofcuriosity.
blogspot.co.uk). The
blog attempts to publish
perspectives from behind
the scenes at Londons
museums, to report on issues
which affect the museum and
museum staff such as cuts
in funding, and to dismantle
peoples preconceived
notions about museum work.
Thanks to my blog I regularly
present sessions to museum
professionals of all ages at
Museums Association and
Collection Trust conferences.
When you study at
Goldsmiths there is no going
back, you learn its ok to
question, challenge and
critique life, art, politics and
knowledge. It changes your
perspective for life.
Watch Goldsmiths
graduates talk about
how their experiences
at university have given
them a real advantage in
their career: vimeo.com/
channels/career
 Find out more about the
department and degrees at:
FIND OUT MORE
gold.ac.uk/anthropology

Watch our departmental film at:

vimeo.com/goldsmiths/
anthropology

Get in touch with our The information in this publication was

Enquiries team: correct in September 2016. Every effort

+44 (0)20 7078 5300

is made to ensure that the information is
accurate, and Goldsmiths will undertake

course-info@gold.ac.uk to inform students of any material

changes to the information contained
in it. Examples may include, but are not
limited to: the timetable, location and
methods of delivery; and the content,
syllabus and mode assessment of any
programme.

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disclaimer at www.gold.ac.uk/disclaimer

Goldsmiths, University of London 2016

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