Master of Social Anthropology

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification aims to enable learners to understand and interpret human social behaviour, as studied by social anthropologists and to become practitioners and/or analysts within the field of social anthropology. Learners are introduced to contemporary issues and debates, foundational studies and research methods in ethnography and anthropology.

The qualification will develop the learner's interest in and knowledge of human social behaviour and encourage an understanding of the interconnections between different aspects of social and cultural life such as, religion, politics, kinship and material culture. The qualification uses case studies as well as theoretical and methodological analyses.

The Master of Social Anthropology also trains learners in a broad range of transferable skills that are useful in many walks of life, including social research methods and the ethics associated with these, effective essay-writing, oral presentational skills in seminars and other contexts, basic computing skills, using the internet as a research tool and conducting bibliographic research.

Rationale

The Master of Social Anthropology provides a theoretical and empirical understanding of issues and debates in social anthropology and offers the chance to carry out a piece of original research.

The qualification provides a wide range of transferable skills for work in areas in which an understanding of our own and other cultures is applicable, such as in the tourist or heritage and museum sectors, or in academic and applied research.

Graduates of the Master of Social Anthropology will go on to many different careers both inside and outside academic life. As it is a 'conversion' qualification aimed at those who wish to explore anthropology after undergraduate studies in another field, or at least within a different anthropological tradition, it often represents a major change of career direction, opening up a wide range of different possibilities.

The learner is assumed to have

• Research, reading and writing skills.
• Basic knowledge of research ethics.
• Knowledge of the discipline in the field of Social Ethnography and/or Anthropology research.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning is handled according to the institutional policy. Applicants must submit a written request for Recognition of Prior Learning which includes a portfolio detailing relevant prior learning such as work experience and/or other qualifications in terms of which the applicant wants to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. Should it be deemed necessary, additional proof of competency from the applicant, such as a written submission or an oral presentation testing the applicant's skills and knowledge base as these pertain to the intended area of study may be requested.

Access to the Qualification

To access this qualification, applicants should have a

• Honours Degree: Anthropology or a related Social Science discipline with an average mark of 65%.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma, with an average mark of 65%, provided the applicant can show sufficient proof of appropriate research experience.

Or

• Successful application for Recognition of Prior Learning.

To be awarded this qualification, the learner must submit an acceptable Dissertation worth 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique of current ethnographic research and practice and an advanced scholarship and research in a particular field within the discipline of Social Anthropology.
2. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the particular field of Social Anthropological research.
3. Design and select appropriate and creative research methods and apply these to complex fieldwork situations and theoretical problems.
4. Make autonomous ethical decisions that affect knowledge production, to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in the broader discipline.
5. Design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information, in order to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in a particular field of research.
6. Use academic discourse appropriate to the discipline of social anthropology and the practice of ethnographic field work to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research in the area of own research, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
7. Develop own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic development and to interact effectively within a scholarly context in order to enhance this learning and development.
8. Operate independently and take full responsibility for own work, to initiate and implement processes and systems to ensure good resource management and governance practices.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Partake successfully in relevant ethnographic research projects in a particular field within Social Anthropology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply appropriate processes of enquiry through critical evaluation of current processes of knowledge production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Design, select and apply appropriate and creative research methods in complex fieldwork situations, addressing complex and challenging problems in Social Anthropology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Make and apply autonomous ethical decisions as part of the research strategy and process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review with appropriate scope and depth suitable for Master's level research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Participate in academic discourse as presented during the research project by defending and explaining the research project (including the motivation, design, methodology and results) to peer students, faculty and other members of the research community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply independent learning skills appropriate to a Master's level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Take full responsibly for the research project undertaken, exhibiting good management end governance practices.

Integrated Assessment

Examination is by dissertation alone.