This ‘What is Social Anthropology?’ course, will introduce you to the 19thC birth of the discipline, an understanding of cross-cultural human behaviour and the similarities and differences between societies on a global and local level.
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.
This introductory course will provide an overview of Social Anthropology and identify its main aims and objectives. Questions we discuss include: What is Social Anthropology? What does it mean to have different ways of seeing our world? We shall address the birth of the discipline, and how classical anthropologists explored human behaviour via the colonial encounter, and the differences in our global world today. Students will understand what anthropologists do in the field illustrated through cross cultural case studies in ethnographic film and photography.
What will we cover?
- Defining Anthropology - Ethnography, Fieldwork and Research. - Victorian Anthropology and 19thc Colonial Photography - Anthropology of Gift giving and reciprocity - Symbolism and rituals and witchcraft. - Gender and Sexuality, Margaret Mead.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand human diversity from an anthropological perspective. - Identify key anthropological terms, classical theories and debates. - Gain a critical understanding of the historical origins of the discipline. - Read and discuss cultural texts and exchange ideas.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Everyone is welcome: this is an introductory course with no skills or knowledge required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
No previous knowledge is required. However, an enthusiasm for learning and an open, critical mind will enhance your enjoyment and the benefits of this course. On joining the class you should be able to read and comment upon articles and extracts from anthropological texts and journals, and be prepared to discuss these readings in class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may wish to enrol on the follow-on courses
HA032: 21st century anthropology: culture, diversity and inclusion HA033: anthropology of art, ethnographic film and photography
HA040: anthropology of home HA034 : politics and poetics of museums: repatriation and decolonisation HA007 : anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscape HA035 : doing anthropology: ethnographic research methods
Yasmin holds a BA (Hons) in Social Anthropology and an MA History of South Asian Art and Architecture from SOAS, University of London. She has worked as an educator and assistant curator at the V&A museum. Her interest in the social use of space, indigenous art and vernacular architecture was consolidated through fieldwork awards in Tamil Nadu, and latterly she commenced a research degree in the Anthropology of Architecture at Oxford Brookes and UCL. Yasmin has taught at Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, UAL, Pondicherry University and CEPT, Ahmedabad, India. At City Lit, she teaches Introductory and contemporary anthropology, anthropology of space, visual and material culture, ethnographic methods, and decolonisation of museum collections. She contributes to City Lit’s South Asian Heritage Month and Mental Wealth Festival, was a voluntary ethnographic researcher at UCL (MAL) and an educator at the ‘Another India’ exhibition, Cambridge Anthropology Museum. Yasmin is a research consultant and educator who delivers lectures and creative workshops on request. Read more on the City Lit blog: What is Anthropology and what does it entail? | City Lit
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-is-social-anthropology-the-birth-of-the-discipline-19th-20th-century1444657What is Social Anthropology: The birth of the discipline 19th-20th Centuryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/h/what-is-social-anthroplogy-ha031-square.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Anthropology/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Anthropology/Anthropology/Courses/Online courses228511771195119617311228511771195This ‘What is Social Anthropology?’ course, will introduce you to the 19thC birth of the discipline, an understanding of cross-cultural human behaviour and the similarities and differences between societies on a global and local level.153062080What is Social Anthropology: The birth of the discipline 19th-20th Century189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/h/what-is-social-anthroplogy-ha031-square_4.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHA031189189What is Social Anthropology: The birth of the discipline 19th-20th Century189123189Yasmin Haleswhat-is-social-anthropology-the-birth-of-the-discipline-19th-20th-century/ha031-2627This ‘What is Social Anthropology?’ course, will introduce you to the 19thC birth of the discipline, an understanding of cross-cultural human behaviour and the similarities and differences between societies on a global and local level.0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00This introductory course will provide an overview of Social Anthropology and identify its main aims and objectives. Questions we discuss include: What is Social Anthropology? What does it mean to have different ways of seeing our world? We shall address the birth of the discipline, and how classical anthropologists explored human behaviour via the colonial encounter, and the differences in our global world today. Students will understand what anthropologists do in the field illustrated through cross cultural case studies in ethnographic film and photography.This ‘What is Social Anthropology?’ course, will introduce you to the 19thC birth of the discipline, an understanding of cross-cultural human behaviour and the similarities and differences between societies on a global and local level.- Defining Anthropology<br>- Ethnography, Fieldwork and Research. <br>- Victorian Anthropology and 19thc Colonial Photography <br>- Anthropology of Gift giving and reciprocity <br>- Symbolism and rituals and witchcraft. <br>- Gender and Sexuality, Margaret Mead.- Understand human diversity from an anthropological perspective.<br>- Identify key anthropological terms, classical theories and debates. <br>- Gain a critical understanding of the historical origins of the discipline. <br>- Read and discuss cultural texts and exchange ideas.Everyone is welcome: this is an introductory course with no skills or knowledge required.No previous knowledge is required. However, an enthusiasm for learning and an open, critical mind will enhance your enjoyment and the benefits of this course. On joining the class you should be able to read and comment upon articles and extracts from anthropological texts and journals, and be prepared to discuss these readings in class.There are no additional costs but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note taking.<p>You may wish to enrol on the follow-on courses<br><br>HA032: 21st century anthropology: culture, diversity and inclusion<br>HA033: anthropology of art, ethnographic film and photography</p><p>HA040: anthropology of home<br>HA034 : politics and poetics of museums: repatriation and decolonisation<br>HA007 : anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscape<br>HA035 : doing anthropology: ethnographic research methods</p>AnthropologyAnthropologyvirtual189189123HA031NONEMon14/09/26 - 19/10/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineYasmin HalesBeginnersAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities189189What is Social Anthropology: The birth of the discipline 19th-20th Centurywhat-is-social-anthropology-the-birth-of-the-discipline-19th-20th-century/ha031-2627This ‘What is Social Anthropology?’ course, will introduce you to the 19thC birth of the discipline, an understanding of cross-cultural human behaviour and the similarities and differences between societies on a global and local level.0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00This introductory course will provide an overview of Social Anthropology and identify its main aims and objectives. Questions we discuss include: What is Social Anthropology? What does it mean to have different ways of seeing our world? We shall address the birth of the discipline, and how classical anthropologists explored human behaviour via the colonial encounter, and the differences in our global world today. Students will understand what anthropologists do in the field illustrated through cross cultural case studies in ethnographic film and photography.This ‘What is Social Anthropology?’ course, will introduce you to the 19thC birth of the discipline, an understanding of cross-cultural human behaviour and the similarities and differences between societies on a global and local level.- Defining Anthropology<br>- Ethnography, Fieldwork and Research. <br>- Victorian Anthropology and 19thc Colonial Photography <br>- Anthropology of Gift giving and reciprocity <br>- Symbolism and rituals and witchcraft. <br>- Gender and Sexuality, Margaret Mead.- Understand human diversity from an anthropological perspective.<br>- Identify key anthropological terms, classical theories and debates. <br>- Gain a critical understanding of the historical origins of the discipline. <br>- Read and discuss cultural texts and exchange ideas.Everyone is welcome: this is an introductory course with no skills or knowledge required.No previous knowledge is required. However, an enthusiasm for learning and an open, critical mind will enhance your enjoyment and the benefits of this course. On joining the class you should be able to read and comment upon articles and extracts from anthropological texts and journals, and be prepared to discuss these readings in class.There are no additional costs but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note taking.<p>You may wish to enrol on the follow-on courses<br><br>HA032: 21st century anthropology: culture, diversity and inclusion<br>HA033: anthropology of art, ethnographic film and photography</p><p>HA040: anthropology of home<br>HA034 : politics and poetics of museums: repatriation and decolonisation<br>HA007 : anthropology of space, place and the cultural landscape<br>HA035 : doing anthropology: ethnographic research methods</p>AnthropologyAnthropologyconfigurable
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