University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > Department of Anthropology and Archaeology > Anthropology (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1ARCH025T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Graeme Were
Juan Zhang |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
The key objective of the MA Anthropology at Bristol is to enable students to develop a nuanced and cross-cultural perspective on the challenges that humans face in our fast-changing world, with content that reflects the department’s research strength in adversity, adaptation, and globalisation. Students put this understanding into practice through hands-on activities and work experience Bristol’s thriving media-tech, creative and cultural industries as well as social enterprises. In addition to the core themes of the unit – which explore five inter-related real-world themes of sustainability, technology, engagement, arts and materiality - students receive advanced training in theory and method delivered through world-class research-led teaching. This programme also introduces students to anthropological research design and data analysis using qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, including ethnographic and visual methods; survey, interview and focus-group design; statistical analyses and hypothesis testing; and ethics. What makes this MA programme particularly unique is the opportunity to undertake an off-campus placement with an external partner such as a media-tech company, start-up, museum, heritage organisation, archive, NGO, local authority or national heritage organisation, all of which interweave with the content taught throughout the core unit. This opportunity enables students to gain first-hand experience of working in a vibrant, innovative and diverse industry whilst putting into practice skills learned throughout the course. In response to student consultations, this course will enhance student skillset and employability by gaining valuable work experience and developing a network of contacts in and beyond work placement providers. This MA in Anthropology at Bristol will be placed at the forefront of the growing demand for applied anthropologists and impart students with the skills and knowledge that make anthropologists attractive to businesses and the media industry.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies: Two-hour seminar style lecture plus one-hour tutorial/class activity each week for 11 weeks. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Methods of assessment: Theoretical essay (3,000 words) Fortnightly podcasts on a chosen topic Dissertation (15,000 words) Enterprise case study presentation Portfolio report (2,000 words) Class tests |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies: One-hour lecture plus two-hour practical/interactive workshop activity each week for 11 weeks |
Methods of Assessment | |
Methods of assessment: Research design (2,500 words) Essay on secondary data analyses and interpretation (2,500 words) Peer assessment of podcasts Pechakucha presentations and peer assessments Reflective journals, describing the activities undertaken and the skills and knowledge acquired over the course of the work placement Enterprise case study presentation |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies: 1 x 1-hour workshop per week plus 60 hours work placement |
Methods of Assessment | |
Methods of assessment: Work placement report (5,000 words) In-class presentations related to placement tasks/topics |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Postgraduate Certificate Students will gain familiarity with the main anthropological themes and theoretical approaches and develop the ability to use these themes and approaches in their study of social and cultural issues on sustainability, technology, engagement, arts and materiality at both local and global levels. Students will also be equipped with skills in research methods and have the opportunity to gain real-world experiences through a range of work placement options. They will develop competency in writing and presentation through individual and peer-based assignments, and gain familiarity with peer-based mentoring and evaluation process. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Postgraduate Diploma Students will develop deeper theoretical and analytical skills with higher level competencies in writing and presentation. They are expected to demonstrate independent research skills (with limited supervision) and specialized knowledge in areas related to sustainability, technology, engagement, arts and materiality from an anthropological perspective. Students will gain broader competency in methodological training and become familiar with mixed methods research through independent as well as collaborative project. Through peer-based collaboration, students will develop higher levels of critique and engagement as they learn to undertake peer assessment and peer evaluation. Students who choose to do the Work Placement unit will be able to undertake complex tasks presented in the workplace and develop transferable skills (such as communicational skills and inter-professional skills) as they engage with industries and social organisations beyond academia. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Postgraduate Masters Students will demonstrate a multi-layered, critical understanding of social and cultural issues on sustainability, technology, engagement, arts and materiality, supported by sophisticated theoretical reasoning and analysis from an anthropological perspective. They will be familiar with a wide range of theoretical paradigms and methodological approaches when they design their research projects and undertake the dissertation, which will be the culmination of the student’s MA programme. The research-based dissertation will enable students to develop their own academic voice and identity, enhanced by real-world understanding through work placement opportunities. Peer assessment at the Masters level will be delivered in a professional and critical manner to simulate real-world work context. Students are encouraged to attend postgraduate level workshops and develop the ability to present their work and ideas in multiple platforms for academic and public audiences. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Work placement:
Students will undertake an off-campus placement with an external partner such as a media-tech company, start-up, museum, heritage organisation, archive, NGO, local authority or national heritage organisation, gaining first-hand experience of working in a vibrant, innovative and diverse industry.
Specifically aimed at enhancing skillset and employability, students will gain valuable work experience, develop a network of contacts in and beyond placement providers and work independently under the supervision of industry professionals. The work carried out during the placement will help students to tailor their CVs for a range of possible career paths as well as to develop a variety of transferrable skills specifically related to anthropology.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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