This course provides an introduction to the discipline of anthropology, the scientific study of human diversity and similarity. Although it focuses on social/cultural anthropology, it will introduce students to the other subfields (archaeology, linguistic anthropology, physical/biological anthropology). Students will explore some of the main themes that anthropologists have studied over the years, such as the family, “race,” religion and language. More contemporary concerns such as migration, diaspora and globalisation will also be discussed.

Films will be shown in order to enhance students’ understanding of the themes covered in the course and engage them in class discussions. As well as showing what anthropology is, the course will show how anthropology is done, by discussing its trademark research technique of ethnographic fieldwork and providing an opportunity for students to do their own work in the field. It will also discuss career opportunities as an anthropologist, both in academia and in such fields as international development and public health.