MPhil

The MPhil (MPhil in Social Anthropology, formerly known as the MPhil SAA) is a one-year research Masters degree. The principal fields of anthropological analysis are covered in two courses in General Anthropology:

1.    Production and Reproduction (Paper 1)
2.    Systems of Power and Knowledge (Paper 2).

You can either follow the two courses in General Anthropology or substitute one of these for either Social Anthropology and Development (Paper 3a) or Social Anthropology and Museums (Paper 3b). From October 2011 Medical Anthropology (Paper 3c) will also be offered. If you wish to do this you must demonstrate that you are familiar with the material covered in the substituted course.

Our intention in the course is to cover the main approaches, methods and findings of social anthropology. The field is large and you will find that the coursework is intensive. There are a number of components to it:

•    introductory sessions;
•    lectures;
•    seminar classes;
•    supervisions; and
•    assessment (in the form of a set essay, exams and thesis).

It is possible to substitute an optional essay in place of one of the examination papers, but here you must demonstrate that you have substantial previous training in the general field in which you wish to offer an essay rather than write the exam. In summary, you will either write two examination papers, a set essay and a thesis, or one examination paper, two essays and a thesis. The MPhil is a pass/ fail degree but for internal purposes the Division distinguishes between Pass and High Pass. Normally a High Pass is required in order to proceed to the PhD.

Teaching Arrangements

Teaching for the MPhil is via introductory sessions, seminars, lectures and individual supervision. Even if you are pursuing Social Anthropology and Development or Social Anthropology and Museums, rather than the General Anthropology option, you are still expected to attend and take part in all four of the seminars (Kinship, Politics, Economics and Religion) that constitute the principal teaching for the latter course. (The Division regrets that it is unable to offer Social Anthropology and Development for the 2011/12 academic year.)

The seminars are structured around short student presentations, followed by group discussion led by the seminar conveners. You are strongly advised to read at least one or preferably two of the starred readings for each seminar even if you are not presenting, so as to be able to take part in the discussion. There is also a series of seminars in the Lent term on aspects of research methodology to help you think about issues relevant to your thesis topic.

We have marked with an asterisk those lectures on the list that we think you may find most helpful and relevant for the course. You are not expected to confine yourself exclusively to these lectures, but are encouraged to attend any lectures you find interesting, though be careful not to spend all your time in the lecture room! The Division requires all MPhil students to attend the Part IIA, Paper S3 Theory, Methods and Enquiry in Social Anthropology lectures (reading lists for Paper S3 lectures and seminars are available here).

You will be supervised by a member of staff who can provide general guidance throughout the course. You will meet your supervisor fortnightly and you will be expected to write essays. Supervisions provide an opportunity for you to discuss these essays and to raise wider questions on a one-to-one basis. You should aim to do at least two supervisions on each of the fields covered by the seminar classes. To widen your range, write essays on topics different from those you prepare for seminar presentation. Supervision essays are not formally assessed but they do provide a means for you and your supervisor to monitor progress.

While seminars provide the core teaching for the MPhil, they do not replace the lectures and the reading you will be doing with your supervisor in preparation for the set essay and written examinations. We make this point so that you will be clear that, in Cambridge, teaching for a course is meant to include more than just what is covered in the classes. The set essays and written examination papers are not structured so as to be confined only to the topics suggested in the seminars; they will reflect lectures, class work and recommended reading.