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How we will deliver your course in 2021: Anthropology (postgraduate)

Programmes this information applies to:
  • MSc Anthropology of Childhood
  • MSc Youth and Education
  • MSc Anthropology of International Development and Humanitarian Assistance
  • MSc Children, Youth and International Development
  • MSc Medical Anthropology
  • MSc Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology
  • Social Anthropology MRes

1. Content of the course 

There are no planned changes to the course content.

2. Length of the course 

There are no planned changes to the length of the course.

3. How your course will be delivered 


New students 

Students will take 180-credits worth of modules (including 60 credits for the dissertation) across the year (or two years for part-time students), with three hours contact time per taught module. Teaching will be scheduled to take place on Mondays and Tuesdays to enable full access for students who are part-time or are who have commitments on other days. There will also be an opportunity during a further two hours per week to seek guidance in feedback and consultation hours for each module taken in that term.

Lectures and seminars will be available online. Throughout the academic year students will have the opportunity to participate on one day per week on average in seminars, interactive workshops or cohort activities in-person on the Brunel campus (subject to social distancing and shielding restrictions and to local and national regulations). In the event of a further lockdown all teaching will continue to be provided online.

Empirical fieldwork for dissertation projects can, if necessary due to social distancing restrictions, be conducted entirely online (incorporating, for example, Zoom/Skype interviews and fieldwork on social media), and students will still be required to submit BREO applications for ethical approval prior to undertaking fieldwork. 

Interaction with lecturers, tutors and fellow students will be at least as extensive as in pre-COVID times, if not more so.

Assessments remain the same; there are no exams on our Master’s degrees.

Returning students 

Students will take 180-credits worth of modules (including 60 credits for the dissertation) across the year (or two years for part-time students), with three hours contact time per taught module. Teaching will be scheduled to take place on Mondays and Tuesdays to enable full access for students who are part-time or are who have commitments on other days. There will also be an opportunity during a further two hours per week to seek guidance in feedback and consultation hours for each module taken in that term.

Lectures and seminars will be available online. Throughout the academic year students will have the opportunity to participate on one day per week on average in seminars, interactive workshops or cohort activities in-person on the Brunel campus (subject to social distancing and shielding restrictions and to local and national regulations). In the event of a further lockdown all teaching will continue to be provided online.

Empirical fieldwork for dissertation projects can, if necessary due to social distancing restrictions, be conducted entirely online (incorporating, for example, Zoom/Skype interviews and fieldwork on social media), and students will still be required to submit BREO applications for ethical approval prior to undertaking fieldwork. 

Interaction with lecturers, tutors and fellow students will be at least as extensive as in pre-COVID times, if not more so.

Assessments remain the same; there are no exams on our Master’s degrees.

4. Cost of the course 

There are no changes to the cost of the course.

Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
If you have any concerns about accessing a suitable device, please complete and return this form to enquire about the University’s loan laptop scheme.

5. Award

There are no planned changes to the qualification that is being awarded.

6. Feedback and consultation

We provide set times where you can talk to your lecturers and module leaders about academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on an assessment. You can find these hours on Blackboard Learn and in your module booklets.  

You can book your slot by emailing your lecturer. We will be holding these virtually until it is safe to hold these appointments on campus.

7. Personal tutoring

Your personal tutor is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and between years. It is someone you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need. 

If you are a first year student, these sessions will be included in your timetable every other week. 

If you are a second year, final year, or postgraduate student you can request to have a session at a time that is convenient for you.  

You can attend our virtual ‘drop-in’ sessions which are advertised on Blackboard Learn, or request a session by emailing your personal tutor.

8. Departmental communications and events

You can keep up with subject and module updates through Blackboard Learn. We will also send important updates to your student email account, including a newsletter once a term, so please keep an eye on your emails. 

We host department assemblies where you will receive department updates and get to hear from lecturers and your peers. These take place at least once a term and you’ll receive an email invitation. 

Our programmes feature a range of opportunities including trips and visits, once it is safe to do so we will resume these.

9. Student-led academic representation

Student reps are elected to represent the views of their course, department or college to improve the academic experience at Brunel. They gather views and opinions from students on things such as lectures, exams, assessment and feedback and then take a collective view to the university and Union in order to develop the student experience at Brunel.

We welcome feedback from our student community on matters relating to your experience through your student representatives or through your programme leaders. 

Find out who your course rep is here. You’ll also receive an email from your programme leader who will confirm your contact.

10. Peer-to-peer opportunities

You can join our student societies, we have one for each subject area including Politics, History, Sociology, and Anthropology. You can join these societies through the Union of Brunel Students or contact your course rep to find out more. We have Facebook groups for these societies too.

Our department also has a Postgraduate Research Society, if you would like to join this please contact your PGR Director.

You can join our social media groups to keep in touch with your peers and exchange knowledge.  Find out how to do this by contacting your course rep.

Contact us 

If you have any specific questions about the above information, please email: CBASS-TPO-GASK@brunel.ac.uk 

 

Disclaimer: We have used our best endeavours to plan for the coming academic year and to ensure the information on this page is correct at the time of publication. The information provided here is intended for the general guidance of students studying the University’s degree programmes listed above in the academic year 2021/22. The University will deliver the course of study as described unless there are changes outside of our control related to COVID-19. In such circumstances, the University will adjust the delivery of the course accordingly, and use its best endeavours to ensure equivalence.

Date of publication: 16.07.21