Anthropology and Sociology BA (Hons)

Durham University

Course details

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 Structure

Year 1

Examples of optional modules:

Doing Anthropological Research

Social Research Methods

People and Cultures

Classic Sociological Theory

Health, Illness and Society

Human Evolution and Diversity

Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology

Societies in Transition

Introduction to Criminological Theory

Critical Scholarship in the Social Science.

Year 2 Examples of optional modules:

Research Methods in Action

Biology, Culture and Society

Politics and Economics

Evolution, Variation and Adaptation

Global Health and Disease

Environment, Climate, and the Anthropocene

Communities and Social Justice

Crime, Power and Social Inequalities

Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory

Self, Identity and Society

Sociology of Education

Violence and Abuse in Society

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement year or year abroad)

In your final year, you will design and carry out an Dissertation project. Your dissertation is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a topic of personal interest or relevance to a future career area.

Examples of optional modules:

Anthropology, Art, and Experience

Social Anthropology of Hormones

Anthropology of Ethics and Morality

Anthropological Skills for Climate Change Survival

Violence and Memory

Evolutionary Medicine: Maternal and Infant Health

Primates, Predators and the Ecology of Fear

Forensic Anthropology

Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable Livelihoods

Drugs and Society

Globalisation and the Sex Industry

Sociology of Mental Health and Illness

The Body as Data: Technology, Power and Human Rights

Youth in Crisis: Young People, Crime and Justice