MA in Anthropology of Health & the Body in the 21st Century
Drawing on debates in medical anthropology, this innovative degree addresses contemporary theories relating to ideas of wellbeing, to the politics and economics of health, to science, technology and modern medicine, to ideas and practices of healing, and to cultural perspectives on health and the body across the globe.
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
Please see How to apply.
You should have an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant subject.
The MA prepares students for research and communication in this field. Graduates have worked in the social aspects of health as well as public health; they have pursued opportunities in policy, education and journalism and they have gone on to research degrees, either at Goldsmiths or elsewhere.
The programme will extend your critical understanding of contemporary debates about the politics of health and social inequalities, and could provide a basis for a PhD application.
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Anthropology
What is the relationship between culture, health, and people's sense of wellbeing? Why do many aspects of our lives appear to be understood increasingly through the language of medicine? How is it that while there are extraordinary technical advances taking place, so many people turn to alternative therapies? Anthropology at Goldsmiths provides a unique intellectual environment in which to engage with these and many other relevant and pressing questions of our time. More broadly, issues around health and the body provide exciting and diverse ways of thinking about how we live, make meaning and act in the world.
You will take a core course that introduces the field of medical anthropology and subsequently consolidates themes through seminars and workshops which relate to your own areas of interest. In addition, you can choose from a wide range of option courses that are shared with other MA programmes.
You will build up a portfolio of work that will feed into a final dissertation based on your own research (usually fieldwork) which will allow you to develop and conceptualise your chosen topic within debates and material raised throughout the degree.
Assessment
Take-home paper, essays/reports and dissertation for core courses; assessment for some optional courses differs (eg unseen exam).
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.