(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Social Anthropology with Human Rights
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Sociology
BA LL37
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
- Applied Data Science: In order to be eligible for the qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules:
Year Two:
SC202 (15 credits) Researching the Real World: Quantitative Approaches to Studying Crime and Society
and
SC208 (15 credits) Quantitative Research: Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course.
Final Year:
SC385 (30 credits) Modelling Crime and Society
and
SC830 (30 credits) Quantitative Research Project
For details of further recommended modules please web search “Essex Q-Step”.
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Paul Gilbert
Senior Lecturer in International Development
University of Sussex
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- The core modules will investigate key theoretical and substantive debates in anthropology and human rights.
- To provide students with an understanding of the distinctive character of anthropological thinking;
- To provide students with a knowledge of the main theoretical traditions of anthropology and human rights;
- To provide students with an understanding of the main anthropological methods and approaches to human rights.
- To develop students' capacity for critical enquiry, argument and analysis;
- To develop students' capacity for independent learning;
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to further study and research.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Understand various anthropological research methods investigating social life and the key principles underpinning human rights discourses.
A2: Understand key anthropological and human rights issues, concepts and theories especially in relation to the study of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality and other social identities and hierarchies.
A3: Develop an approach to the study of society informed by anthropology and human rights.
A4: Develop a critical and reflexive approach to the study of different cultures and value systems.
A5: Develop an historical understanding of anthropology's contribution to the study of social life and the contribution of human rights to understanding social justice, especially across cultural boundaries.
A6: Develop an ability to conduct a small piece of anthropological research using appropriate methods.
Learning methods
Outcomes A1 to A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks, and directed independent study.
The development of the project in consultation with a supervisor provides the means through which learning outcome A6 will be achieved.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understandings to facilitate students' exploration of anthropology and its contribution to the study of society, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understandings to facilitate students’ explorations of human rights concepts and issues as well as how they operate through institutions.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual and group tasks, enable the further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1-A5 are formally assessed via coursework assignments, which may take a number of forms, including essays, reading assignments, tests, debates.
They are also assessed via exams.
Outcomes A1 and A6 are assessed via the final year project.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas
B2: Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts
B3: Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B4: Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence
B5: Plan and undertake a piece of independent anthropological research
Learning methods
Learning methods Skills B1 to B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, group and individual tasks given for their courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students' independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant frameworks, theories and understandings to facilitate students' assimilation and synthesis of these various theories and concepts, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work.
Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students undertake for the project.
The project further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills B1 to B4.
Assessment methods
Skills B1 to B4 are formally assessed via coursework assignments.
The project provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through the project.
C: Practical skills
C1: Analyse and evaluate empirical data
C2: Access and retrieve information from primary and secondary sources
C3: Written presentation skills
C4: Undertake independent research
C5: Competence in key elements of the job selection process
Learning methods
Skills C1 to C4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their modules, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Research skills will be taught and assessed specifically in the project.
Skill C4 is further acquired through the work that students do for the project and in their anthropological research methods course SC277/8.
The project further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1 to C4 Skills C1 to C4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their modules, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Research skills will be taught and assessed specifically in the project.
Skill C4 is further acquired through the work that students do for the project.
C5 is undertaken by students attending the work skills seminars of SC107 (common to all students in the Sociology dept.) in bespoke classes.
The project further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1 to C4 Throughout the three years of the degree practical skills are developed through preparation for classes, preparing essays and other assessed assignments, giving presentations and doing written examinations.
In SC107, SC277/8 students carry out an observational study.
The work for CS201 includes the detailed examination and interpretation of key texts which are the foundations of human rights discourses.
The third year project for SC832 is particularly valuable in developing students practical anthropological skills.
Some of these skills are further developed through the work students do for optional modules.
Students receive detailed feedback on all their coursework and presentations.
Study skills advice and training is available from the Student Support Officer in the Resource Room, which is dedicated to this purpose.
Assessment methods
Skills C1 to C3 are formally assessed via coursework assignments.
This enables the demonstration of the relevant theories and empirical evidence and facilitates the demonstration of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C4 is assessed through the project and course work.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
D2: Ability to critically approach a text and understand the key arguments presented
D3: Problem solving and analytical skills
D4: Preparing informal presentations and communicating in a group
D5: Time management and working to deadlines
Learning methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed through group tasks involving oral presentation, group discussion, and engaging in organised debates in the seminars.
Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through essays and reading assignments.
Reading skills (D2) are developed as through regular reading assignments.
Problem solving skills (D3) are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and project given to the students.
Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D4-5) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers.
These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Assessment methods
Skills D1 to D6 are formally assessed via coursework assignments: in relation both to process and product.
Skills D1 to D4 will be assessed through the content of submitted work.
Informal assessment: The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the management degree schemes; however the approach to assessment varies.
Written communication skills, problem solving, and IT skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme.
Personal skills are assessed through coursework.
Verbal communication skills are not, however, formally assessed.