The MA consists of an academic programme of lectures, seminars and tutorial assignments, and practical experience.
Modules are taken over one academic year if you are studying full-time, and two years if you are studying part-time (part-time study only available to home/EU students).
Full-time students attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and spend the rest of the week on fieldwork placements and library studies.
Part-time students attend on Thursdays in one year and Tuesdays in the other.
Anthropology components
The Department of Anthropology teaches two of the core components of your degree: Contemporary Social Issues and Anthropological Research Methods.
| Module title |
Credits |
Contemporary Social Issues
Contemporary Social Issues
30 credits
This module provides critical perspectives from anthropology and social theory on the contemporary social issues that youth and community work is concerned with. This term we examine each week a ‘keyword’ in social analysis: youth, community, class, race, culture, gender, community, and power. We explore how these categories have, on the one hand, been conceptualised within anthropology and other disciplines and, on the other, how they shape the lives of young people and communities today. In doing so, we draw on anthropological work both ‘at home’ (i.e. in the UK) and in the developing world. We also relate these insights to some policy approaches that have informed youth and community work in recent decades, such as multiculturalism and participation. Overall, the module aims to enable students to gain knowledge of the larger politico-economic and social context of youth and community work; to understand relevant theoretical perspectives; and to engage critically with key concepts that inform youth and community work.
|
30 credits |
Anthropological Research Methods
Anthropological Research Methods
30 credits
The aims and objectives of this module are to introduce students to the theories and methods of modern anthropology. This module is designed to complement AN71081B Anthropological Theory. In the autumn term you situated current theoretical concerns in anthropology historically and philosophically. This term we will introduce the methods used by anthropologists as well as returning to some key texts from last term and critically analysing the links between theory and methods within.
The module is designed to follow the three stages of writing a report; planning researching and writing up. Over the term we will cover a number of different types of data including surveys, the use of archives, images and film, in-depth interviews, participant observation and participatory research, conflicts of interest, ethical codes, informed consent, and other challenges. Throughout the module you will also be working on your own group research projects and you are encouraged to use this project to relate to the lectures and readings.
|
30 credits |
Dissertation
Dissertation
60 credits
The dissertation is an extended piece of written work of academic standard, i.e. adequately researched, clearly written, well presented and structured and following academic conventions. It will show that you have an understanding of both theoretical debates in anthropology and relevant ethnography and make convincing use of secondary or library based data. Your project can involve fieldwork and/or archives (primary data that you have collected) as well as your analysis of the relevant secondary sources in anthropology (secondary data that you have consulted).
|
60 credits |
In addition, we strongly encourage all students, particularly those without a background in anthropology, to sit in on other MA option courses offered by the anthropology department, such as Anthropological Theory, Anthropology of Development, Anthropology of Violence, Anthropology of Art and Anthropology and the Environment.
Fieldwork and placements
The Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies runs the fieldwork modules, which involve placements that, are supported by seminars, lectures, workshops and tutorials.
This MA pathway entails 20 hours of observations and 380 hours of placements, normally focused on national occupational standards in community development, consisting of three placements with at least two different organisations.
The fieldwork and accompanying teaching are divided into three modules:
| Module title |
Credits |
Fieldwork Report 1: Perspectives and Approaches
Fieldwork Report 1: Perspectives and Approaches
15 credits
This module focuses students on key themes, principles and values underlying youth work, community development and community arts, enabling students to recognise them in competing approaches and perspectives. This includes consideration of the history, principles and competing models/approaches. Students consider their own values, ideological positions and critically reflect on their own practice perspectives and drill down to consider these in relation to their own professional practice areas. Perspectives specific to faith, voluntary/community sector based practice are analysed and considered in relation to key contemporary policies related to civil society and democratic engagement. The value of experiential learning approaches, critical pedagogy, informal learning and community based approaches are explored alongside group work principles, processes and theories.
|
15 credits |
Fieldwork Report 2: Critical Practice
Fieldwork Report 2: Critical Practice
15 credits
This module enables students to critically analyse the changing context of professional practice, develop as critically reflective practitioners and learn how to recognise and challenge discrimination and oppression. Youth participation and methods of engaging communities with a view to facilitating ‘empowerment’, along with the ethical dilemmas faced in fieldwork practice are also critically explored.
|
15 credits |
Fieldwork Report 3: Management, Enterprise and Development
Fieldwork Report 3: Management, Enterprise and Development
30 credits
This module advances student understanding of competing approaches to the management of community and youth work projects, staff and resources. Students learn about sourcing and preparing funding bids, preparing budgets and the issues and processes involved in growing a social enterprise. Students gain a critical understanding of project development, management and evaluation.
|
30 credits |
All three modules are currently assessed by an essay, documents completed by the student in relation to the placement and community development national occupational standards learning, a report by the placement supervisor and a fieldwork contract form. The final placement also involves an assessment of the observations.
Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
For 2021-22 and 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the programme changes page.
