University of St Andrews

This programme will involve study of Social Anthropology at an advanced, research-led level in which students will gain an understanding of how knowledge is created, advanced and renewed. The programme will encourage in all students a desire to pursue independent learning with curiosity, integrity, accuracy and intellectual rigour.

This is a 12-month programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Research. As with all St Andrews programmes, it is made up of credit bearing modules. Students must earn 180 credits over the duration of the programme, with 120 credits normally earned each academic year. Typically, the first two years of study include core modules specific to the programme as well as other modules chosen from a range of options (in some cases, including modules from a different Faculty). The remaining years offer advanced research-led learning through modules that provide a programme-specific curriculum.

For information about core and optional modules for each programme, please consult the Course Catalogue, which can be found at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/pg

This catalogue describes the detailed structure of the course and the contents of all the modules that can be included in the programme. Teaching, learning and assessment are progressive, with both the content and methods of delivery changing to suit the increasing level of complexity in the material, and independence of students, as they work through the programme.

Among the distinctive features of this programme is a forward-looking and diverse, Humanities based
outlook. A scientific approach to the study of society is complemented by attempts to
understand the experience and knowledge of the people who live in radically different cultures.
Other features include:
a) The possibility of inter-departmental supervision on research projects of an interdisciplinary
nature and an opportunity to interact with other graduate students from other
related faculty disciplines.
b) The combination of a general higher education in Social Anthropology with guidance on a
range of research-based skills that prepare the student for independent research
This is an ESRC accredited programme of study. It is part of the Scottish Programme of Advanced
Training in Social Anthropology (STAR) which is a anthropology postgraduate training consortium,
linking Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Glasgow. This consists in two annual five-day
residential courses. The first course targets students at the MRes and pre-fieldwork level with the
second is aimed at those are at a fairly advanced stage of writing up. The pre-fieldwork course will
run over four days and will involve 6 half-day sessions, each combining a plenary workshop with
smaller break-out groups. One distinguished UK anthropologist will be invited to attend the entire
course, and will open the programme with a formal lecture, on a subject of his/her choice. Workshop
topics include: writing field notes; politics and ethics; working in a second language; visual
methodologies; archival research; and material methodologies including issues of property and
ownership. The advanced (post-fieldwork) course will include plenary workshops, with breakout
groups to address key topics in the building of research careers, both within and outside the
academy and a series of parallel master-classes lead by distinguished international guests, allowing
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students to present their work and receive feedback from some of the most exciting innovators in
world anthropology. Each day will close with a plenary lecture from one of the international
visitors, drawing on their current research-in-progress. The workshops will cover the following
areas: anthropological publishing; grants and research careers; researching for policy and practice;
and innovation ethnography.

In the course of this programme students will develop programme-specific skills. On completing the programme students should be able to demonstrate the graduate attributes outlined below.

Demonstrate original thought
Construct a coherent argument or debate by demonstrating logical processing of (complex) information and deductive reasoning
Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to solve complex problems
Test hypotheses, theories, methods and evidence within their proper contexts
Reason from the particular to the general
Identify relevant techniques and concepts to solve advanced and complex problems
Demonstrate use of an appropriate range of resources to the task at hand
Evaluate relevant best practices for the task at hand
Engage directly with current research, developments and skills in the discipline
Engage with primary and secondary material and differentiate between them
Demonstrate active learning
Demonstrate reflective learning, including the ability to engage with and learn from feedback
Demonstrate creativity and curiosity
Demonstrate independence of thought and reasoning
Demonstrate skills in time management, self-discipline and self-motivation
Demonstrate skills in close textual and comparative analysis
Demonstrate qualitative methods of analysis
Work independently
Communicate with clarity and accuracy, orally (including presentation) and in writing
Engage with the views and opinions of others
Present work and findings in a professional manner, with attention to detail
Learn and use research skills

Students will engage with independent and group study in a supportive framework of teaching and learning. The strategy is to use methods of teaching and assessment that will facilitate learning appropriate to the aims of the degree programme. The following methods will be employed where appropriate to the level of study and the particular content of each module in the programme.

Lectures
Small group discussions / tutorials
Problem solving workshops
Autonomous learning groups
Independent study activities (supervised and unsupervised)
Demonstrations
Field Trips
One-to-one discussions / supervision
Project work
Practical work
Workshops
Presentations
Practice exercises
Seminars
Larger group discussions / seminars
Reflective practice

Assessment can be a blend of diagnostic work to determine student needs, formative work submitted for assessment and feedback (but not necessarily for academic credit) or summative work submitted for academic credit.

Dissertations / projects
Presentations
Commentaries
Class tests
Unseen written examinations
Essays
Oral examinations
Literature reviews
Portfolio of independent work
Learning diaries
Take home examinations
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Short Answer Questions (SAQ)
Group assignments
Posters

Students' scholarship skills (in, for example, academic writing, information gathering and academic conduct) will be supported and developed through this programme. The following will be available, where appropriate to the level of study and the particular content of each module in the programme.

Handouts / handbooks
Web based and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) resources
Feedback
Library support and resources
Reading lists
Training in Good Academic Practice
Office hours and staff availability
Reading parties
IT services support
Student services support (available on application. Individual support will be available for students with disabilities registered with the University)
Study skills support (CAPOD) (available on application)
Student representation
Free WiFi