The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. You will also have the opportunity to apply for a year abroad at one of our global exchange partners.
Politics specialism
Students who have taken and passed at least one course from the Department of Government in each year of their degree (ie, 25 per cent of their overall programme of study) will be offered the opportunity to receive a Politics specialism attached to their degree certificate and transcript. In order to qualify for the specialism, students must take an introductory course in their first year and more advanced courses in the second and third years. Students who choose to take Government courses are not obligated to receive a specialism, but have the option if they wish. Degree certificates which include a Politics specialism will state this in the title, i.e.: BA in Social Anthropology (with Politics).
International History specialism
Students who have taken and passed at least one course from the Department of International History in each year of their degree (ie, 25 per cent of their overall programme of study) will be offered the opportunity to receive an International History specialism attached to their degree certificate and transcript. In order to qualify for the specialism, students must take an introductory course in their first year and more advanced courses in the second and third years. Students who choose to take International History courses are not obligated to receive a specialism, but have the option if they wish. Degree certificates which include an International History specialism will state this in the title, i.e.: BA in Social Anthropology (with International History).
Language specialism
Students who have taken and passed at least one language course in each year of their degree (ie, 25 per cent of their overall programme of study) will be offered the opportunity to receive a language specialism attached to their degree certificate and transcript. Students must take all courses in the same language (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin or Russian) in order to qualify for the specialism. The three courses must also be consecutively harder in level, for example: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Students who choose to take language courses are not obligated to receive a specialism, but have the option if they wish. Degree certificates which include a language specialism will state the language in the title, for example: BA in Social Anthropology (with French).
First year
In your first year, you will take three compulsory anthropology courses. You will also choose an introductory outside option for your fourth course, choosing from a range of subjects such as economics, geography, international relations, law, philosophy, politics, sociology, social psychology, language and literature. In addition, you will "‹also take LSE100.
(* denotes a half unit course)
Being Human: Contemporary Themes in Social Anthropology
Provides a general overview of the discipline, introducing a range of questions that anthropologists have focused on via their research in societies around the world. Among other things, it explores what is variable and what is universal (or at least commonly found) in human culture and society by examining a range of political, economic, family, and religious systems found among different peoples.
A History of Anthropological Theory
Introduces the works of classic social science theorists and how they have been applied to ethnographic analyses of particular societies.
Ethnography through Mixed Media
Explores debates about the nature of anthropological interpretation and representation through the in-depth analysis of selected case studies. This course will develop your anthropological analytical skills, your ability to read and to reflect on complete book-length texts and ethnographic films, and your capacity to make well-grounded comparisons and generate independent opinions.
One outside option
LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.
Second year
In your second year you will take three units worth of compulsory courses in anthropology, including an independent research project. You will also choose a further unit's worth of social anthropology courses. Over your second and third years you must take at least one half unit course which focuses on the anthropology of a selected geographical or ethnographic region (for example, South Asia, Amazonia or Melanesia).
It may be possible, dependent on timetabling, for you to take options from the three other colleges of the University of London which have anthropology departments: Goldsmiths College, University College London, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.
The Anthropology of Kinship, Sex and Gender
Considers the varied ways in which the family, kinship, personhood, femaleness and maleness, birth and sex are understood in different cultures.
Political and Legal Anthropology
Explores how a wide range of societies handle conflict, dispute, violence and the establishment and maintenance of political and legal systems.
Economic Anthropology (1): Production and Exchange*
Offers an anthropological perspective on all aspects of economic life, from farming and factory work to gift exchange systems and contemporary consumerism. You"™ll examine how anthropological research might complicate conventional economic theory, and how economic systems influence diverse aspects of social life.
Fieldwork in London: Learning Ethnographic Methods*
You will design and carry out a small anthropological research project.
Social anthropology options to the value of one course unit
Third year
In your third year you will take three units worth of compulsory courses in anthropology, including an extended essay. You will also choose a further unit's worth of social anthropology courses, and will continue to take LSE100, in the Michaelmas term only.
It may be possible, dependent on timetabling, for you to take options from the three other colleges of the University of London which have anthropology departments: Goldsmiths College, University College London, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.
Advanced Theory of Social Anthropology
Examines some of the most cutting-edge new texts in anthropological theory "“ as well as classic texts that are enjoying a renaissance. This course situates you at the forefront of debates on which anthropologists themselves have yet to make up their mind, challenging you to evaluate some of the most controversial new developments in the discipline.
The Anthropology of Religion
Examines differences between local religious practices and world religions, explores the reasons why ritual is so central to the organisation of cultural life, looks at the character of particular cosmologies and symbolic schemes, analyses the logic of some non-Western systems of thought and philosophy, and considers the relationship between religion and modernity.
Economic Anthropology (2): Transformation, Development and Globalisation*
Examines how and why human existence has been transformed by the forms of global interconnectedness that have emerged since the 1970s, and how anthropological research on these issues can inform activism and policy.
Special Essay Paper in Social Anthropology*
You will write an extended essay on an anthropological topic of your choice.
Social anthropology options to the value of one course unit
For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.
Where regulations permit, you may also be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Information can be found on the Language Centre webpages.
You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up-to-date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.
You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School"™s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated undergraduate course and programme information page.
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