This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
During this course we critically analyse a number of debates associated with the Anthropology of Space from different theoretical and philosophical perspectives.
Initially, we define Western concepts of space and place and the use of spatial metaphors which aim to challenge preconceived notions of the way we view our spatial world. Students will explore the meaning of home as a space of memory and lived experience, to a comparative understanding of colonial spaces of otherness and indigenous concepts of place and the landscape. Within our built environment how do houses communicate through ritual decoration, what do they say and to whom? Ever questioned who sits where and why? In the practise of everyday life, how do we define our personal space and boundaries? Within our expanding globalised world we shall additionally explore the increasing concept of marginalised non spaces to spaces and places of migration and cultural identity. Ethnographic case studies range from Europe to India, West Africa, South East Asia and Australia.
Please note the course will additionally include a group visit to a current (and free) museum or exhibition related to the various themes and concepts of Anthropology of Space. This will be discussed in the first session.
What will we cover?
- Anthropology of Home - Poetics of Domestic Space - 19th Colonial Space and Power - Indigenous Spaces and the landscape - Ritual decoration, meaning and symbolism of architecture - Spatial Proxemics - Gendered Spaces - From Place to Placelessness.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Gain a critical understanding of key interdisciplinary theories and debates associated with the - Anthropology of Space, Architecture and the Cultural Landscape. - Explore socio-cultural approaches to the concepts of space, architecture and the landscape by introducing wide ranging themes from a historical and contemporary cross cultural perspective - Encourage the development of student analysis, criticism and study skills of the Anthropology Space and Place during the course for academic, personal and professional use - Provide a visual understanding of key themes through architectural visits, museum and exhibitions.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject, and ideally for those who have some background knowledge and have attended other social anthropology courses at City Lit. However, as with most of our courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views which you may not always agree, are more important than specific levels of skills.
Please note that the course entails a class visit to a free museum or exhibition, which will be discussed in the first session.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The Anthropology of Space, Place and Cultural landscape course will comprise lectures, individual and group work, observing ethnographic films, seminar discussions and optional student presentations. Please note there will also be a class visit to a free museum or exhibition that complements the course content and will be discussed in the first session.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs. Please bring writing tools for class work, a pen and paper or electronic equivalent.
Please note that the course entails a class visit to a free musum or exhibition, which will be discussed in the first session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in HA035 Doing anthropology: ethnographic research methods, taught by the same tutor.
Please also explore the anthropology section in the culture, history and humanities category on the City Lit website for up-to-date information about forthcoming courses.
Yasmin completed a BA (Hons) in Social Anthropology and an MA in the History of South Asian Art and Architecture which complemented her role as a museum educator and curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Her research interest in the social use of space, indigenous art and architecture was consolidated through ethnographic fieldwork in India, and latterly commenced doctoral research in the Anthropology of Architecture at Oxford Brookes University and UCL. Yasmin has lectured at various academic institutions including Birkbeck and University of Arts, and is currently based at City Lit and Goldsmiths University, teaching Anthropology modules including Intro to Anthropology, Anthropology of Art, Film and Photography and the Anthropology of Space, Place and the Landscape. She is currently involved in research at the UCL Media Anthropology Lab, working with digital research methods and indigenous Amazonian communities in South America. Yasmin has also curated a Tamil, South Indian community exhibition called the ‘Talking Streets’. ways. She is a freelance anthropology consultant, tutor and delivers a range of successful independent cultural workshops at Anthropology for all.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/anthropology-of-space-place-and-the-cultural-landscape240273Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscapehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/q/aquib-akhter-obcc0hw6lrq-unsplash.jpg279279GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Anthropology/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Anthropology/Anthropology/Courses/Online courses228511771195119617311228511771195This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.34.72988893Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscape279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/q/aquib-akhter-obcc0hw6lrq-unsplash_9.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-05-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHA007279279Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscape279181279Yasmin Halesanthropology-of-space-place-and-the-cultural-landscape/ha007-2526This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.0000-Available|2026-05-13 00:00:00During this course we critically analyse a number of debates associated with the Anthropology of Space from different theoretical and philosophical perspectives. <br/><br/>Initially, we define Western concepts of space and place and the use of spatial metaphors which aim to challenge preconceived notions of the way we view our spatial world. Students will explore the meaning of home as a space of memory and lived experience, to a comparative understanding of colonial spaces of otherness and indigenous concepts of place and the landscape. Within our built environment how do houses communicate through ritual decoration, what do they say and to whom? Ever questioned who sits where and why? In the practise of everyday life, how do we define our personal space and boundaries? Within our expanding globalised world we shall additionally explore the increasing concept of marginalised non spaces to spaces and places of migration and cultural identity. Ethnographic case studies range from Europe to India, West Africa, South East Asia and Australia. <br/><br/>Please note the course will additionally include a group visit to a current (and free) museum or exhibition related to the various themes and concepts of Anthropology of Space. This will be discussed in the first session.This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.- Anthropology of Home - Poetics of Domestic Space<br/>- 19th Colonial Space and Power <br/>- Indigenous Spaces and the landscape<br/>- Ritual decoration, meaning and symbolism of architecture<br/>- Spatial Proxemics <br/>- Gendered Spaces <br/>- From Place to Placelessness.- Gain a critical understanding of key interdisciplinary theories and debates associated with the <br/>- Anthropology of Space, Architecture and the Cultural Landscape. <br/>- Explore socio-cultural approaches to the concepts of space, architecture and the landscape by introducing wide <br/> ranging themes from a historical and contemporary cross cultural perspective<br/>- Encourage the development of student analysis, criticism and study skills of the Anthropology Space and Place <br/>during the course for academic, personal and professional use<br/>- Provide a visual understanding of key themes through architectural visits, museum and exhibitions.<p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject, and ideally for those who have some background knowledge and have attended other social anthropology courses at City Lit. However, as with most of our courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views which you may not always agree, are more important than specific levels of skills.<br/><br/>Please note that the course entails a class visit to a free museum or exhibition, which will be discussed in the first session.</p><p>The Anthropology of Space, Place and Cultural landscape course will comprise lectures, individual and group work, observing ethnographic films, seminar discussions and optional student presentations. Please note there will also be a class visit to a free museum or exhibition that complements the course content and will be discussed in the first session.</p>No additional costs. Please bring writing tools for class work, a pen and paper or electronic equivalent. <br/><br/>Please note that the course entails a class visit to a free musum or exhibition, which will be discussed in the first session.<p>You might be interested in HA035 Doing anthropology: ethnographic research methods, taught by the same tutor.<br/><br/>Please also explore the anthropology section in the culture, history and humanities category on the City Lit website for up-to-date information about forthcoming courses.</p>AnthropologyAnthropologyvirtual279279181HA007NONEWed13/05/26 - 22/07/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:3011 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineYasmin HalesBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-05-13T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities279279Anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscapeanthropology-of-space-place-and-the-cultural-landscape/ha007-2526This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.0000-Available|2026-05-13 00:00:00During this course we critically analyse a number of debates associated with the Anthropology of Space from different theoretical and philosophical perspectives. <br/><br/>Initially, we define Western concepts of space and place and the use of spatial metaphors which aim to challenge preconceived notions of the way we view our spatial world. Students will explore the meaning of home as a space of memory and lived experience, to a comparative understanding of colonial spaces of otherness and indigenous concepts of place and the landscape. Within our built environment how do houses communicate through ritual decoration, what do they say and to whom? Ever questioned who sits where and why? In the practise of everyday life, how do we define our personal space and boundaries? Within our expanding globalised world we shall additionally explore the increasing concept of marginalised non spaces to spaces and places of migration and cultural identity. Ethnographic case studies range from Europe to India, West Africa, South East Asia and Australia. <br/><br/>Please note the course will additionally include a group visit to a current (and free) museum or exhibition related to the various themes and concepts of Anthropology of Space. This will be discussed in the first session.This is an introductory and interdisciplinary course which ranges beyond social anthropology to explore aspects of cultural geography, philosophy, psychology, art and architectural history, enriching your theoretical and ethnographic understanding of the cross cultural meaning of space within the built environment.- Anthropology of Home - Poetics of Domestic Space<br/>- 19th Colonial Space and Power <br/>- Indigenous Spaces and the landscape<br/>- Ritual decoration, meaning and symbolism of architecture<br/>- Spatial Proxemics <br/>- Gendered Spaces <br/>- From Place to Placelessness.- Gain a critical understanding of key interdisciplinary theories and debates associated with the <br/>- Anthropology of Space, Architecture and the Cultural Landscape. <br/>- Explore socio-cultural approaches to the concepts of space, architecture and the landscape by introducing wide <br/> ranging themes from a historical and contemporary cross cultural perspective<br/>- Encourage the development of student analysis, criticism and study skills of the Anthropology Space and Place <br/>during the course for academic, personal and professional use<br/>- Provide a visual understanding of key themes through architectural visits, museum and exhibitions.<p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject, and ideally for those who have some background knowledge and have attended other social anthropology courses at City Lit. However, as with most of our courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views which you may not always agree, are more important than specific levels of skills.<br/><br/>Please note that the course entails a class visit to a free museum or exhibition, which will be discussed in the first session.</p><p>The Anthropology of Space, Place and Cultural landscape course will comprise lectures, individual and group work, observing ethnographic films, seminar discussions and optional student presentations. Please note there will also be a class visit to a free museum or exhibition that complements the course content and will be discussed in the first session.</p>No additional costs. Please bring writing tools for class work, a pen and paper or electronic equivalent. <br/><br/>Please note that the course entails a class visit to a free musum or exhibition, which will be discussed in the first session.<p>You might be interested in HA035 Doing anthropology: ethnographic research methods, taught by the same tutor.<br/><br/>Please also explore the anthropology section in the culture, history and humanities category on the City Lit website for up-to-date information about forthcoming courses.</p>AnthropologyAnthropologyconfigurable
11961195Anthropologyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/anthropology/anthropology-11/2/285/1177/1195/1196/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Anthropology/Anthropology
