In the Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) Tripos, students in Part IIA and Part IIB can choose from a range of optional Social Anthropology courses that vary from year to year. These optional courses reflect the current research interests of Social Anthropology staff.
Optional papers 2023-24
- SAN7: Ethnographic methods & writing (available to Part IIA only)
- SAN8: Environment, development and indigeneity
- SAN10: The Anthropology of Post-socialist societies
- SAN14: The Anthropology of History, Memory and Time
Part IIA Social Anthropology Single track (HSPS Tripos)
Students taking Social Anthropology in the single-subject track can also pursue an interest outside Social Anthropology, either by maintaining interdisciplinary links established in the Part I HSPS or by taking an approved paper from another Tripos. They can choose between SAN7-15, POL3-4, SOC2-3, SOC5 from the HSPS Tripos, A1, A3, A11 from the Archaeology Tripos, Paper 1 or Paper 2 for the subject History and Philosophy in Part IB of the Natural Sciences Tripos, Paper PBS3 from the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos or Paper J9 from the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Tripos. Students wishing to ‘borrow’ papers should seek further advice about recommended preparation from senior Social Anthropology staff.
Part IIB Social Anthropology (HSPS Tripos)
Students may substitute an optional paper for a dissertation whether they are taking the single-subject track in Social Anthropology or the joint-subject track. The dissertation should be on a subject in social anthropology approved by the Department, which shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 20. Dissertations (maximum length 10,000 words) can be primarily library-based, but some students use the dissertation as an opportunity to do ethnographic fieldwork under a staff member’s supervision either at home or abroad.
Students taking Social Anthropology in the single-subject track can also pursue an interest outside Social Anthropology, by taking an approved paper from another Tripos. They can choose between SAN8-15, POL13, POL17, SOC5-15 from the HSPS Tripos, Paper 5 from the History and Philosophy in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos or Paper J9 from the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Tripos. Students wishing to ‘borrow’ papers should seek further advice about recommended preparation from senior Social Anthropology staff.