BSc in Health and Human Sciences

Year 1

In your first year, you will receive a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of anthropology in the broadest sense, addressing the core disciplines of social and biological anthropology as well as interdisciplinary perspectives on culture, society, and health. Currently, students take four core modules in Anthropology and select two elective modules offered by other departments, including the option to study a module in a modern foreign language.

Compulsory modules currently available:

• People and Cultures
• Human Evolution and Diversity
• Introduction to Anthropological Theories and Methods
• Health, Illness, and Society.

Year 2

In your second year, you will develop a deeper and more complex understanding of medical and health-related anthropology enriched by interdisciplinary perspectives on culture, society, and biology, alongside anthropological theory and methods.

Currently, students have the opportunity to pursue individual anthropological interests through an elective module chosen from the remaining anthropology modules.

Compulsory modules currently available:

• Biology, Culture, and Society
• Methods and Analysis
• Sex, Reproduction, and Love
• International Health and Development
• Ecology, Genomics, and Health

Optional modules currently available:

• Our Place in Nature
• Evolution, Variation, and Adaptation
• Kinship
• Political and Economic Organisation
• Cultures and Classifications

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a Year Abroad)

In your final year, you can tailor the course to your own maturing interests by selecting the modules that appeal to you most, provided you have completed the necessary pre-requisite (preparatory) modules. In the third year, all students undertake a dissertation but currently can otherwise choose modules that most interest them.

The Anthropology Department at Durham encourages an interdisciplinary perspective, and we offer a broad range of modules. You may also substitute one module from another department or a modern foreign language module. Final year modules are generally based on the research expertise of staff, and reflect the University’s ideal of research-led education. In your dissertation, you will have the opportunity to put your own research skills into practice. Students in their third year are also invited to attend the regular round of research seminars given by visiting scholars or Durham-based researchers and thus can participate in a key forum for current innovative research.

Compulsory module:

• Dissertation

Optional modules currently available include:

• Business Anthropology: Global and Local Competencies
• Palaeoanthropology
• Hunters and Gatherers Past and Present
• Material Culture
• Nutritional and Disease Ecology
• Change and Development
• Social Evolution
• Field Course
• Violence and Memory
• Power and Governance
• Science, Culture, and Ethics
• Anthropology of Conflict and Law
• Cognitive Anthropology
• Human Reproductive Ecology
• Evolutionary Medicine: Life History Theory
• Anthropology of Care
• Forensic Anthropology
• A module in a modern foreign language, or
• One open Level 3 module offered by another department.

Study Abroad

Anthropology

Study abroad or placement activities are undertaken as part of a degree are not only enjoyable but can give a significant edge when it comes to employability. ERASMUS exchanges are possible on our programs, and we currently have links with the University of West Bohemia (Czech Republic), the University of Iceland, the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) and the University of Malta, with new opportunities being added every year. We also run a third-year Field Course module, involving fieldwork at our South African field site.

Options Available:-

• 4 Year With Foundation Year