Anthropology and Sociology major
Anthropology and Sociology is the fascinating study of the nature of humanity itself along with the complexities of human social relationships. This major incorporates the study of the cultures, institutions, social behaviours, economies and systems of meaning of all human societies. It includes the topics of religions, politics, kinship, gender, education, health, migration, landscapes and the media. Students investigate various cultural theories and a range of studies on behaviours and beliefs that are used to explore the great diversity of past and present societies. Your study furthers your understanding of your place in the world and results in useful skills for living and working in a changing, multicultural society. Anthropology and Sociology studied together in this major offers a way of understanding the whole context of human experiences.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in anthropology and sociology including cultural diversity, social inequality, the nature of social relationships and institutions, systems of symbolic meaning, and processes that underpin social and cultural change; (2) demonstrate knowledge of anthropology and sociology as academic disciplines in historical context including principal concepts and theories; (3) demonstrate an ability to critically review, analyse, summarize and synthesize anthropological and sociological research and theory; (4) demonstrate an ability to formulate, investigate and discuss anthropologically and sociologically informed research questions and develop arguments based on a critical evaluation of evidence; and (5) demonstrate an ability to communicate anthropological and sociological ideas, principles and knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of formats (written, oral, visual etc.).
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Anthropology and Sociology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP001 Bachelor of Arts
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Anthropology and Sociology is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- three Level 2 units
- three Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANTH1001 | Being Human: Culture, Identity and Society |
|
| S2 | ANTH1002 | Global Change, Local Responses |
|
Level 2
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANTH2001 | Social Thought |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | ANTH2401 | Constructing Cultures Through Media |
|
| N/A | ANTH2402 | Religion in Society |
|
| S2 | ANTH2405 | Sex, Gender and Social Life |
|
| S2 | ANTH2406 | Society, Law and Politics |
|
| N/A | ANTH2407 | Australian Society |
|
| S2 | ANTH2701 | Culture, Ecologies, Extinction: Environment and Society in a Time of Crisis |
|
| S1 | ANTH2801 | Migrants, Refugees and Travellers: Mobility and Immobility in Transnational Lives |
|
| N/A | ANTH2902 | Aboriginal Art and Society |
|
| S1, NS | ASIA2004 | Popular Culture in Asia |
|
Level 3
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANTH3001 | Ethnography: Methodological Perspectives |
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | ANTH3401 | Engaged Anthropology |
|
| N/A | ANTH3402 | Contemporary Social Thought |
|
| S2 | ANTH3501 | Mind, Body, Culture |
|
| S1 | ANTH3601 | Indigenous Australia |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Anthropology and Sociology degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Arts course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Anthropology and Sociology degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Arts course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .