Anthropology and Sociology - BA (Hons)

Durham University

Have you ever wondered how society shapes the way we live? With the Joint Honours degree in Anthropology and Sociology you'll develop an understanding of humans as social and cultural beings.,Anthropology and Sociology are naturally complementary fields of study due to their common emphasis on understanding humans as part of wider cultural and social groups. This degree combines modules from the BA Anthropology and BA Sociology degrees providing a comprehensive understanding of humans as social and cultural beings. Based around a central core of theory and methods, the degree is highly flexible, allowing you to choose subjects across both disciplines. The course emphasises the application of theory and concepts to real-world cases. You will carry out a supervised research project and you can choose to take a placement with a local community organisation and make use of your knowledge in an applied setting. In the first year of your degree, you will receive a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of Anthropology and Sociology in the broadest sense. The second year will develop your understanding of key issues in anthropological and sociological theory and research. At this stage you can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four. In your final year, you will design and carry out your own dissertation project in Anthropology or Sociology.Course structureYear 1 modulesOptional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Doing Anthropological ResearchSocial Research MethodsPeople and CulturesClassic Sociological TheoryHealth, Illness and SocietyHuman Evolution and DiversityBeing Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of AnthropologySocieties in TransitionIntroduction to Criminological TheoryCritical Scholarship in the Social Science.Year 2 modulesOptional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Research Methods in ActionBiology, Culture and SocietyMarkets and ExchangeRitual, Religion and BeliefRelations and BelongingPower and InequalityMind and CultureHealth and InequalityEnvironment, Climate, and the Anthropocene Communities and Social JusticeCrime, Power and Social InequalitiesModern and Contemporary Sociological TheorySelf, Identity and SocietySociology of Education Violence and Abuse in SocietyYear 3 modulesCore modules:Dissertation project In your final year, you will design and carry out a Dissertation project. Your dissertation is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a topic of personal interest or relevance to a future career area.Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Anthropology, Art, and ExperienceSocial Anthropology of HormonesAnthropology of Ethics and MoralityAnthropological Skills for Climate Change SurvivalViolence and MemoryPower and GovernanceDecolonising AnthropologyForensic Anthropology Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable LivelihoodsDrugs and SocietyGlobalisation and the Sex Industry Sociology of Mental Health and IllnessThe Body as Data: Technology, Power and Human Rights Youth in Crisis: Young People, Crime and JusticeAdditional Pathways Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four or four to five depending on course.