BSc (Hons) Health and Human Sciences

Our Health and Human Sciences course synthesizes biological and evolutionary research into human genetics and physiology with comparative ethnographic approaches to the social, political, ideological and ecological contexts that shape health risks and treatments. This degree will equip you to critically debate discourse surrounding healthcare from an interdisciplinary, anthropological perspective that draws together local, regional and international scales of analysis.**Year 1**In your first year, you will receive a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of anthropology in the broadest sense, addressing the core disciplines of social and biological anthropology as well as interdisciplinary perspectives on culture, society, and health. Currently, students take five modules in Anthropology and select one elective module offered by another department, including the option to study a module in a modern foreign language.Compulsory modules:People and CulturesHuman Evolution and DiversityBeing HumanDoing Anthropological ResearchHealth, Illness, and Society.**Year 2**In your second year, you will develop a deeper and more complex grasp of anthropology and will gain "hands-on" experience of conducting research at one of our residential field sites on the compulsory Anthropology Field Course module, normally held in September prior to the start of your second year. You will also take a core module covering the diverse ways in which anthropological knowledge is constructed and theorised, as well as four elective modules that will enable you to pursue your interests in specific topics. Compulsory modules:Anthropology Field CourseInterrogating AnthropologyGlobal Health and DiseaseSex, Reproduction and Love.Optional modules:Evolution, Variation and AdaptationOur Place in NatureKinship and ReligionPolitics and Economics.**Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a Year Abroad)**In your final year, you will design and carry out your own dissertation project and have a free choice of advanced optional taught modules. Optional modules are generally based on the research expertise of staff, and reflect the University’s ideal of research-led education. Options available in the Department cover the full disciplinary spectrum, from the entirely biological to the entirely socio-cultural, or a mixture of anthropological sub-disciplines via the Specialised Aspects of Evolutionary, Health and Medical, and Social Anthropology modules. Typical topics that may be available include forensic anthropology, religious controversy, urban anthropology, and public health. In your third year you are also invited to attend the regular round of research seminars given by visiting scholars or Durham-based researchers and can participate in a key forum for current innovative research.Core module: Dissertation.Optional modules:Specialised Aspects of Medical Anthropology (various topics)Specialised Aspects of Evolutionary Anthropology (various topics)Specialised Aspects of Social Anthropology (various topics).**Study Abroad (Anthropology)**Study abroad or placement activities undertaken as part of a degree are not only enjoyable but can give a significant edge when it comes to employability. ERASMUS exchanges are possible on our courses, and we currently have links with the University of West Bohemia (Czech Republic), the University of Iceland, the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) and the University of Malta.For more information on this course, please see our website.