Entry Requirements
- Minimum of 5x 9-4 grades in GCSE examinations including 5 in English Language and 4 in maths.
Qualification Aims and Objectives
The course develops students’ understanding of culture and human societies through comparative perspectives while fostering inquiry, critical thinking, and practical investigation. It encourages students to be knowledgeable, inquiring, and open-minded, and to appreciate how anthropological insight can illuminate the impact of culture, identity and global change.
Objectives
- Develop a deep conceptual understanding of key anthropological principles, theories and processes.
- Acquire and apply anthropological methods, including ethnographic research, data-collection and interpretation.
- Build analytical and reflective skills through investigation of societies, cultures and change.
- Consider the ethical, cultural, social and global implications of anthropological knowledge and practice.
- Prepare for further study and careers in anthropology, human rights, cultural consultancy, journalism, research, social policy, heritage and education.
Course Outline
Syllabus Themes
- Engaging with Anthropology: language of anthropology; the practice of anthropology; anthropological thinking.
- Engaging with Ethnography: themes such as classifying the world; health, illness and healing; the body; belonging; communication, expression and technology; movement, time and space; production, exchange and consumption.
- Anthropological Research: developing the ability to apply ethnographic investigation, critique, and reflexive analysis.
- Historical Investigation: Students undertake an independent investigation on a topic of their choosing, employing historical methods to collect, analyse and evaluate evidence.
Assessment (HL)
- External (approx80%): Papers based on unseen texts and ethnographic material, applying anthropological concepts, theory and methods.
- Internal (approx20%): A field-work project or internal investigation where students collect, analyse and evaluate anthropological data and report on their findings.
Future courses and possible careers
Anthropology • Cultural Consultancy • Human Rights Advocacy • Journalism and Media • Research & Academia • Social Policy & Development • Heritage and Museum Studies • Education • Social Work • Public Affairs • International NGOs • Cultural and Diversity Management
IBCP: we recommend that students combine this with IB Psychology and AAQ Health and Social Care.
IBDP: you would take this as one of your HL subjects, fulfilling the Individuals and Societies requirement.