BA Anthropology and Archaeology

at Durham University

Program structure

Year 1

In the first year, students currently take four compulsory modules (two from each department) and select two optional modules (one from each department). One modern foreign language module can also currently be taken in place of an elective module from either Anthropology or Archaeology.

Compulsory modules (20 credits each):

• Being Human: An introduction to the history and practise of anthropology

• Doing Anthropological Research

• Discovering World Prehistory

• Applied Archaeological Methods

Examples of optional modules (20 credits each):

Anthropology:

• Peoples and Cultures

• Human Evolution and Diversity

• Health, Illness and Society

Archaeology (20 credits each):

• Ancient Civilisations of the East

• Archaeology in Britain

• Cities in Antiquity

• Medieval to Modern: an Introduction to the Archaeology of Medieval to Post Medieval World

• Scientific Methods in Archaeology 1.

Year 2

In the second year, you will develop a deeper understanding of methods and theory in anthropology and archaeology, and pursue your growing interests through optional modules offered by both departments. Currently, students take two compulsory modules and five optional modules (at least two from each department).

Compulsory modules (10 credits each):

• Debating Anthropology and Archaeology

• Research Project Design.

Examples of optional modules in Anthropology (20 credits each):

• Anthropological Research Methods in Action

• Kinship and Religion

• Politics and Economics

• Global Health and Disease

• Sex, Reproduction and Love

• Evolutionary Variation and Adaptation

• Our Place in Nature.

Examples of optional modules in Archaeology (20 credits each):

• Archaeological Method and Theory

• Prehistoric Europe: From Foragers to State Formation

• Becoming Roman: From Iron Age to Empire in Italy and the West

• Archaeology of Medieval and Post-medieval Britain in its European Context

• The East Mediterranean World in the Bronze Age

• Professional Training

• Developing Archaeological Research

• Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations: East and West.

• Scientific Methods in Archaeology 2.

Year 3

In the final year, you will design and carry out your own research for a dissertation in Anthropology or Archaeology, or an interdisciplinary dissertation in Anthropology and Archaeology. In addition, you will study advanced topics in Anthropology and Archaeology that are generally based on the research expertise of staff in both departments, and reflect the University’s ideal of research-led education. Both departments offer students opportunities to gain experience of carrying out fieldwork through either the Anthropology Field Course and/or Advanced Professional Training.

Compulsory module (40 credits):

• Dissertation in Anthropology, Archaeology or in Anthropology & Archaeology.

Examples of optional modules in Anthropology

(10 credits each unless otherwise stated. Students select a total of 40 credits):

• Anthropology in the Contemporary Middle East

• Anthropology, Art, and Experience

• Poison, Pollution and the Chemical Anthropocene

• Exhibiting Anthropology

• Capitalism in Ruins

• Decolonising Anthropology

• Social Anthropology of Hormones

• Anthropology of Ethics and Morality

• Anthropology of Sport

• Anthropological Skills for Climate Change Survival

• Power and Governance

• Violence and Memory

• Anthropology of Tobacco

• Anthropology of Health Inequality

• Anthropology of Physical Activity and Health

• Evolutionary Medicine: Maternal and Infant Health

• Human Reproductive Ecology

• Development, Conflict and Crisis in the Lower Omo

• Evolution of Cooperation

• Comparative Cognition and Culture

• Cultural Evolution of Music

• Technological Primates

• Primates in Peril

• Primates, Predators and the Ecology of Fear

• Homo narrans: evolutionary anthropology of fiction

• Forensic Anthropology

• Palaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology

• Anthropology Field Course (20 credits)

Examples of optional modules in Archaeology

(Students select a total of 40 credits):

• Specialised Aspects in Archaeology (various advanced topics. 20 or 40 credits)

• Advanced Professional Training (20 credits)

• Current Archaeology (20 credits)

• Interpreting Heritage (20 credits)

• Museum Representation (20 credits)

A level offer – AAB.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD.

IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.

The tuition fees shown for students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Career Opportunities

Anthropology

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 85% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 70% are in high skilled employment

• With an average salary of £24,000.