DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
MASTER OF RESEARCH (M.Res)
SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY
PROGRAMME HANDBOOK
2014-2015
Contents
1. The Research and Graduate Programme in Social Anthropology 2
1.1 Introduction 2
1.2 Areas of interest 2
1.3 Links 3
1.4 The Department of Anthropology Seminar Series 3
1.5 Postgraduate students’ research seminar 4
1.6 Research facilities 4
2. Master of Research in Social Anthropology 4
2.1 Qualifications for entry 4
2.2 Application procedure 5
2.3 Selection procedure 5
2.4 Duration 5
2.5 Term dates and attendance requirements 5
2.6 Visa regulations 5
2.7 Induction 6
2.8 Structure of the M.Res. 6
2.9 Exit points 7
2.10 Aims 7
2.11 Learning outcomes 7
3. M.Res. courses 8
3.1 Course outlines Error! Bookmark not defined.
4. Ethical guidelines for research 11
5. Skills training and research support 11
6. Assessment 12
6.1 Methods of assessment 12
6.2 Course weightings 12
6.3 The Common Grading Scale 12
6.4 Progression and Award Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.5 Resits Error! Bookmark not defined.
7. Supervisory practice 13
8. Transfer from M.Res. to MPhil or PhD registration 14
9. Guidance and support 15
9.1 Postgraduate assessment forms 15
9.2 Monitoring of supervision and facilities 15
9.3 The Postgraduate Programmes Committee 15
9.4 Problems and difficulties 16
9.5 Regulations 16
10. Contact details and sources of further information 16
Appendix: College of Arts and Social Sciences Research Ethics Guidance 17
1. The Research and Graduate Programme in Social Anthropology
1.1 Introduction
The Research and Graduate Programme in Social Anthropology has its origins in the re-establishment of Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen in 2000. It provides an innovative and lively forum for staff and postgraduates that is unique to the University of Aberdeen. The programme draws on the wide range of anthropological experience and expertise within the Department and also provides access to the library, archival and museum collections of the University. The distinctive Graduate Programme thus offers an excellent research environment in which to study for a postgraduate degree.
The Department of Anthropology has four principal academic themes that link together our activities in teaching and research: Anthropology of the North, Environment and Perception, Creativity and Knowledge, and Religion Belief and Practice. These themes and specific research projects that fall under them are detailed on the departmental website. Nearly all staff have past and present projects that fall under more than one theme, and these themes connect to strengths elsewhere in the university.
1.2 Areas of interest
We can offer research supervision in most areas of social anthropology, and our particular strengths are in the areas listed below. Some of these themes are ongoing projects that members of the Department of Anthropology are carrying out.
Anthropology of the North
Colonial histories and indigenous rights
Paths, roads and mobility
Home, hearth and household in the circumpolar North
Arts practice in the North
Narrative, knowledge, time and memory
Environment
Environmental anthropology and nature conservation
Human-animal relations
Anthropological perspectives on energy
The perception of the environment
Creativity and Knowledge
Anthropology, archaeology, art and architecture
Craft, skill, improvisation and performance
Indigenous media, oral traditions and the making of culture
Knowledge production, creativity and intellectual property
Museums, collections and material histories
Science, technology and medicine
Lines, drawing and inscription
Anthropology and dance
Religion, Politics and Practice
Ritual and politics in the contemporary world
Religion, belief and practice in Islam
Religion, state and landscape in Tibet
Ritual communication and shamanic cosmologies
Death, monuments and memorials
Social and Cultural Processes
Politics and the state
Post-socialist societies
Morality
Language, society and identity
Evolutionary theory
Phenomenological perspectives on place and landscape
Memory and forgetting
Regional Anthropology
The Circumpolar North
The Andes
North American Plains
Central Asia
Tibet
Scotland, UK and Europe
1.3 Links
The Graduate Programme is closely linked with:
· Aberdeen University’s Marischal Museum, offering considerable scope for research especially in the field of material culture studies. The museum is closed to the public but its collections are accessible to researchers. King’s Museum on campus displays items from the collections and hosts changing exhibitions. There are a number of other University collections which may be of interest to students and other researchers.
· The Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability, a cross-disciplinary environmental research centre working in partnership between the University of Aberdeen and the James Hutton Institute. By collaborating with academics and members of the policy, practitioner and business communities, it works to promote interest and engagement in interdisciplinary research on issues related to environmentally sustainability.
· A range of other Departments and Schools across the University, such Archaeology, History, the School of Language and Literature, and the School of Education, as well as the Department of Anthropology’s home in the School of Social Science. Many staff across the University have skills and interests relevant to Anthropology, and often work in collaboration with us.
1.4 The Department of Anthropology Seminar Series
Apart from courses and seminars for students, as detailed below, the Department of Anthropology organises occasional lectures by distinguished academic visitors as well as a weekly seminar to which visiting speakers are invited. Full details of the seminar series can be accessed on the Department’s website. All M.Res. students are required to attend these events, and all other postgraduate students are strongly encouraged to attend.
Additional events are organised by the School of Social Science and the College of Arts and Social Sciences. For information on these and other events, students should regularly check their email, the website for the Graduate School (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/cass/graduate/) and also consult the M.Res. notice board which is located in the corridor of the first floor of the Edward Wright Building, directly opposite the School of Social Science office.
1.5 Postgraduate students’ writing-up seminar
This research seminar is primarily intended for PhD students who are writing up, though pre-fieldwork research students may be able to attend, subject to the agreement of the post-fieldwork students. The programme of seminars are organised by students and Dr Nancy Wachowich, the PhD programme coordinator will liaise with students and staff on the schedule.
1.6 Research facilities
All postgraduate research students are provided with shared office space located, when possible, within the School of Social Science. They have computer access suitable for the needs of their research work and are supplied with the appropriate software packages. Technical training in the use of specific programmes will be provided as necessary. All students have full access to the Sir Duncan Rice Library and all other appropriate facilities. The Department of Information Technology provides training and documentation in the use of library and computing facilities which students are required to attend. Students have access to telephone, electronic mail and other mail facilities.
Postgraduate research students have an annual allowance for copying and printing of £50. Students undertaking teaching activities will be allocated up to a further £20 annually to cover copying costs associated with their teaching. Costs are 2.5p per single-sided A4 and 5p per double-sided A4 for black and white.
Research students in social anthropology with interests in material culture can benefit from access to the substantial collections and facilities of the University Museums. The University’s Special Libraries and Archives also have extensive collections which may be drawn upon by students with interests in historical anthropology, colonialism, etc. In addition, the Department has a multimedia work-station with equipment for working with photographic, audio and video materials.
Any students requiring special assistance with facilities, or having special needs, should contact the School of Social Science Administrative Officer, Pam Thomson, Edward Wright Building (F46), phone 2275, email
2. Master of Research in Social Anthropology
The Programme Director is Dr Alison Brown,
2.1 Qualifications for entry
An Honours degree (upper second class or above), or the equivalent qualification level and class of qualification for non-UK applicants, in an appropriate subject(s).
A research interest in an area in which we are able to offer adequate supervision. Applicants should consult the areas of interest of our staff before applying (see section 1.2).
2.2 Application procedure
Applications should be made to the University’s Student Recruitment & Admissions Service using the appropriate form (obtained from the University’s website at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/postgraduate/apply.shtml). Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year. In order to be accepted to start the programme in the autumn, applications should be received by the end of the preceding April.
2.3 Selection procedure
Applications are evaluated on the following criteria:
· Evidence of academic excellence, from transcripts and letters of reference
· An area of interest that fits the speciality of our staff and research programmes
· Evidence that the applicant has either secured or applied for funding for their term of study
If one or more of the above criteria are not fulfilled, we may make a conditional offer of admission.
2.4 Duration
12 months full-time; 24 months part-time.
Unless exempted by virtue of qualification or experience from the whole programme or from components of it, part-time students will be expected to complete the same programme as full-time students.
2.5 Term dates and attendance requirements
The academic year is divided into two half-sessions. The first half-session runs from 9 September 2014 to 19 December 2014, with teaching commencing on 15 September 2014. The winter break runs from 20 December 2014 to 18 January 2015). The second half-session runs from 19 January to 22 May 2015 (with a spring break from 3 to 27 April). Barring the winter and spring breaks, full-time students are normally expected to be in attendance throughout these periods. Students commencing their studies for the M.Res. must be present in the University by 9 September 2014. They are strongly advised, however, to arrive one week prior to the start of the session.
2.6 Visa regulations
Students holding Tier 4 visas (that is, those from outside the European Union) must be aware of those UK Borders Agency regulations that apply to them, and abide by them. Breach of these regulations may result in the termination of your studies, deportation and the fining of the University. While the specifics of UKBA regulations change from time to time, three overarching principles generally apply, and we would ask you to abide by them carefully:
(i) Tier 4-holding students should co-operate with any class monitoring for your courses and inform the School should you need to miss any planned classes or meetings with university representatives – particularly those at the beginning of your studies. You may also be asked to sign periodically at the School Office.
(ii) Tier 4-holding students should inform the University (most usually, through the School of Social Science Office in Edward Wright Building) of their correct term-time address, and of their planned whereabouts should they leave Aberdeen. In case of departures of more than one week, please ask the School Office for the relevant form.
(iii) Tier 4-holding students should be aware of their visa conditions regarding work outside studies (including tutoring) and abide by them.
Should you have any questions regarding the specifics of UKBA regulations, please ask at the School Office.
2.7 Induction
All new M.Res. students are expected to meet with their prospective supervisors during the first week of term. The purpose of this meeting is to make an initial assessment of the student’s training needs, to confirm the courses to be taken, and (where two or more supervisors are involved) to determine the optimal division of supervisory functions between them. Our principles of supervisory practice are set out in more detail below (see Section 6).
2.8 Structure of the M.Res.
Candidates for the M.Res. shall be required to attend the following programme of courses, with the following provisos:
Students must choose at least one of AT5033 Research Skills in Anthropology and AT5532 Research, Design and Practice in Anthropology, and may choose both. Students without experience of anthropological methods will be expected to take both courses.
Students must take a minimum of 45 credits from AT5031 Research in Social Anthropology 1, AT5032 Research in Social Anthropology 1 (Extended), AT5530 Research in Social Anthropology 2 and AT5531 Research in Social Anthropology 2 (Extended).
Stage 1 (First semester):
Students will choose one of
AT5031 Research in Social Anthropology 1 (15 credit points)
AT5032 Research in Social Anthropology 1 (Extended version) (30 credit points)
Students will in addition choose from the following:
AT5033 Research Skills in Anthropology (15 credit points)
AT5029 Supervised Reading 1 (15 credit points)
or appropriate Level 5 course(s), to an overall value for Stage 1 of 60 credit points
Stage 2 (Second semester):
AT5906 Scottish Training in Anthropological Research (15 credits)
Students will choose one of
AT5530 Research in Social Anthropology 2 (15 credit points)
AT5531 Research in Social Anthropology 2 (Extended version) (30 credit points)
Students will in addition choose from the following:
AT5532 Research Design and Practice in Anthropology (15 credit points)
AT5529 Supervised Reading 2 (15 credit points)
or appropriate Level 5 course(s), to an overall value for Stage 1 of 60 credit points
Stage 3
AT5910 Dissertation in Social Anthropology (60 credits)
2.9 Exit points
Students who complete all the coursework components of the programme except Philosophy and Methods of Research in Social Anthropology 1 and 2, amounting to 60 credit points, may exit with the award of the Certificate of Social Research.
Students who complete all the coursework components of the Programme, together with Philosophy and Methods of Research in Social Anthropology 1 and 2, amounting to 120 credit points, may exit with the award of the Diploma of Research in Social Anthropology.
Students who complete all components of the Programme, including the Dissertation, amounting to 180 credit points, may exit with the award of Master of Research (M.Res.) in Social Anthropology.
2.10 Aims
The M.Res. programme introduces students to current directions of research in social anthropology, and fosters awareness and critical reflection on the epistemological, conceptual and ethical problems entailed in the conduct of research. Students learn how to access and use key sources of research material and are provided training in ethnographic fieldwork and related research methods. Students completing the programme should be adequately prepared either to undertake further research towards the PhD in Social Anthropology or a related discipline, or to enter employment as researchers in fields outside the academy, such as in museums and libraries, the media, business, or government and non-governmental organisations, where the knowledge and skills cultivated by the programme are in demand.