6. Pathways into Anthropology

Interest in subjects such as geography, psychology, biology and sociology is readily catered for at the pre-degree level with certificated courses and a wide range of supporting resources. Anthropology is unusual in this regard, in that the opportunity to study the subject at pre-degree level has been the exception rather than the rule. At the present time the accessibility of anthropology in schools and colleges is clearly on the increase but it is still limited. In this section, we review the opportunities that exist for the study of anthropology outside of the main anthropology departments in the UK. We also identify the places where you might go to find out more up-to-date information in this rapidly changing aspect of anthropological provision.

Hermione Cornwall-Jones University of Cambridge

There are six Examining Boards for Advanced Level GCE in the United Kingdom, and one for Higher and Advanced Higher examinations. Currently, none of the Boards offer examinations in Anthropology, however all of those offering A-levels and AS-levels, do so for Sociology. 

Anthropological concepts and issues of debate can be found in each of the Sociology syllabuses. For instance, while the main focus of the Interboard Sociology syllabus is the contemporary UK, it emphasises that 'comparative and historical material, as well as material which reflects national, regional and cultural diversity within a particular society, should be introduced as appropriate'. Likewise, the NEAB A-level Sociology syllabus includes amongst its primary aims 'an awareness of cultural diversity', and students are encouraged to make cross-cultural comparisons where relevant. The NEAB syllabus includes much more specific reference to anthropological theories, methodologies and ethnographies than do the Interboard and AEB syllabuses, and it is expected that teachers will make reference to the work of anthropologists in the study of the history of the development of Sociology. For the Advanced Higher Sociology offered by the SQA, candidates will be asked to develop an understanding of the interrelationship between sociology and anthropology as raised by debates in sociology, such as the use of ethno-methodologies by sociologists.

While much of the subject content included in the Sociology syllabuses is relevant to the study of anthropology, and could be studied from an anthropological perspective, this is not made explicit in the syllabuses themselves, as the emphasis is on a sociological approach.

At present:

.  Three A-level and three AS-level syllabuses are available for Sociology.

.  The Interboard Sociology syllabus is jointly developed and offered by the Oxford and Cambridge Examinations and Assessment Council, the University of London Edexcel Foundation, the Welsh Joint Education Committee, and the Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum Examination and Assessment.

.  The two other Sociology syllabuses are offered by the Northern Examinations and Assessment Board and the Associated Examining Board. 

.  As of November 1997 NEAB and AEB have merged to form the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, and in the future they will become a single awarding body for A- and AS-level examinations.

.  From 1999 the Scottish Qualifications Authority will offer candidates in Scotland a Higher syllabus in Sociology (the equivalent to AS-level), and from 2000, an Advanced Higher syllabus (the equivalent to A-level).

The addresses of Boards offering A-level and 'Higher' examinations in the United Kingdom are listed below:

The Associated Examining Board (AEB)

General Secretary to the Board: Dr Christopher Hughes, Stag Hill House, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XJ
Tel: 01483 506506, Fax: 01483 300152

Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB)

Chief Executive: Ms Kathleen Tattersall
Orbit House, Albert Street, Eccles,
Manchester M30 OWL
Tel: 0161 9531185, Fax: 0161 9531203

Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examination and Assessment

Chief Executive: Mrs Catherine Coxhead
Clarendon Dock, 29 Clarendon Road,
Belfast BTI 3BG
Tel: 01232 261200, Fax: 01232 261234

Oxford & Cambridge Examinations &Assessment Council (OCEAC)

Chief Executive: Dr R. McLone
1 Hills Road, Cambridge CBI 2EU
Tel: 01223 553311, Fax: 01223 460278

(OCEAC is the part of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate which offers A-level and AS-level examinations. It was formed in 1995 through the merger of the University of Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Chief Executive: Mr Ron Tuck
Ironmills Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 ILE
Tel: 0131 6636601, Fax: 0131 6542664

University of London Edexcel Foundation

Chief Executive: Dr Tina Townsend
Stewart House, 32 Russell Square,
London WC IB 5DN
Tel: 0171 3314019, Fax: 0171 7534598

(Was University of London Schools' Examination Board.)

Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)

Chief Executive: Mr lan Hume
245 Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YX
Tel: 01222 265000, Fax: 01222 575994

GCSE examinations are offered by six Boards. While none of the Boards set a GCSE in anthropology per se, all Boards, except the University of London Edexcel Foundation set GCSE syllabuses for sociology, and from 1999 NEAB will offer a GCSE in Humanities (syllabus code 1385) which introduces anthropological concepts and concerns. NEAB and NICCEA offer additional GCSEs which include Anthropological content. NICCEA offer Social and Environmental Studies, and NEAB offer Social Science (syllabus code 1371).

From 1999 SQA will offer Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 in Sociology. The Intermediate examinations are the Scottish equivalent of the GCSE.

As with the A- and AS-level examinations discussed above, the subject content included in the Sociology syllabuses mentioned is relevant to the study of anthropology, and could be approached from an anthropological perspective. For example, the themes offered by NICCEA in their Sociology GCSE are: wealth, income and poverty, the family and household, gender, education, work and leisure, and identity, belonging and community. With their Humanities GCSE (on offer from 1999), NEAB have gone further than this, students are asked to explore and examine issues important to 'human societies' using a variety of disciplinary approaches. From the statement of aims it is clear that anthropology is one of the disciplines included; for instance, candidates are expected to develop a 'knowledge of a variety of cultural, spiritual, spatial, political, social, economic and historical contexts, and the ability to draw upon these contexts when interpreting or evaluating sources', as well as an understanding of the way these factors interact to shape the human world. The GCSE is examined both by course-work and by end of course examinations.

The addresses of Boards offering GCSE and Intermediate examinations in the UK are given below:

MEG (Midland Examining Group)

Chief Executive: Dr R. McLone
1 Hills Road, Cambridge CBI 2EU
Tel: 01223 553311, Fax: 01223 460278

(NB: MEG is the part of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate which offers GCSE examinations, including GCSE Sociology.)

Northern Examinations and Assessment Board (NEAB)

Chief Executive: Ms Kathleen Tattersall
Orbit House, Albert Street, Eccles,
Manchester M30 OWL
Tel: 0161 9531185, Fax: 0161 9531203

Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examination and Assessment

Chief Executive: Mrs Catherine Coxhead
Clarendon Dock, 29 Clarendon Road,
Belfast BT I 3BG
Tel: 01232 261200, Fax: 01232 261234

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Chief Executive: Mr Ron Tuck
Ironmills Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 1LE
Tel: 0131 6636601, Fax: 0131 6542664

SEG (Southern Examining Group)

General Secretary to the Board: Dr Christopher Hughes
Stag FEII House, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XJ
Tel: 01483 506506, Fax: 01483 300152

(SEG is the part of The Associated Examining Board which offers GCSE examinations, including GCSE Sociology.)

University of London Edexcel Foundation

Chief Executive: Dr Tina Townsend
Stewart House, 32 Russell Square,
London WCIB 5DN
Tel: 0171 3314019, Fax: 0171 7534598

(Was University of London Schools' Examination Board.)

Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)

Chief Executive: Mr lan Hume
245 Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YX
Tel: 01222 265000, Fax: 01222 575994

Sandra Bell University of Durham

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations that meet the needs of secondary school students between the ages of sixteen and nineteen years. It is designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfil the requirements of various national education systems. The model for the Programme is based on the pattern of no single country, while incorporating the best elements of many. It is available in English, French and Spanish. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of six subject groups. At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at Higher Level, and the others at Standard Level. Higher Level courses represent 240 teaching hours and standard level courses cover 150 hours. All students must write an extended essay in one of their chosen subjects. They must also take two other Core Courses from: The Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action, Service. This last course often involves students in projects and activities located outside their school. The Extended Essay may be written on a social anthropology topic. The Core Courses encourage students to reflect more thoroughly on the wider relevance of the disciplines that they encounter in their optional programmes and fit well with the kinds of self-awareness that are encouraged within the IB social anthropology option.

The social anthropology programme is part of the subject group entitled Individuals and Societies. At the time of writing, all of the programmes offered in this group are undergoing review, which entails a rigorous and lengthy process of consultation between examiners, teachers, IB staff and internationally recognised experts in the field. The review process is intended to take account of new developments in teaching and research as they apply to each discipline. The review of the social anthropology syllabus is intended to reflect contemporary issues such as the growth of applied anthropology and new understandings about the relationship between local and global systems. The review process also considers how the requirements of the course can be clarified and communicated to students and teachers.

Teachers receive a high level of support from the IB through advice on the provision of literature, through the organisation of practical workshops and also via the IB Faculty Mailing List which enables them to exchange ideas and examples of best practice. The 128-page Teachers Guide will be revised along with the syllabus. The Guide includes a rich harvest of bibliographic references and suggestions for their employment within the syllabus. There are useful sections, contributed by teachers, on preparing students for the examination, as well as a selection of sample teaching units.

The aims of the social anthropology syllabus at Standard Level, summarised below, are set out in three statements, whereas the aims of the Higher Level syllabus are set out in seven statements. The Standard Level concentrates on guiding students towards an understanding of their own and other societies. The aim is to help them recognise the preconceptions they hold about their own cultural and social environments. Students are also taught how anthropologists set about the study of society and culture. As well as covering the same ground as the Standard Level students, Higher Level candidates are expected to become acquainted in more depth with anthropological theories and methods.

Assessment for the IB Social Anthropology Programme at Higher Level consists of two examination papers. A one-hour exam (20%) consists of a passage and four or five questions relating to the passage. A three-hour examination (60%) consists of twelve essay questions. Candidates answer two questions in which they must demonstrate evidence of having studied four societies in detail. The examinations are assessed externally. Higher Level candidates must also complete a Field Research component (20%) in which they must demonstrate the use of two different research techniques. The Field Research is assessed by the teacher and externally moderated. Standard Level candidates take the one-hour examination detailed above and a two-hour examination consisting of ten essay questions. Standard Level candidates are required to answer two questions and show evidence of having studied three societies in detail. The Chief Examiner and Deputy Examiner, as well as some Assistant Examiners, are experienced researchers with a commitment to encouraging the teaching of anthropology in schools.

In 1997 out of the total of 829 schools across the world offering the IB Programme, forty offered social anthropology. This represented 500 candidates in the English language, sixty in Spanish and fifty-five in French. Social anthropology is currently being taught at the following institutions in the United Kingdom:

Surrey American Community School

Heywood, Portsmouth Road, Cobham,
Surrey KT11 1BL
Tel: 01932 867251, Fax: 01932 869791
Email: (IB co-ordinator) cworthington@acs-england.co.uk

Hammersmith and West London

Gliddon Road, Baron's Court, London W14 9BL
Tel: 0181 741 1688

London International School

139 Gunnersbury Avenue, London W3 8LG
Tel: 0181 9925823

Impington Village College

New Road, Impington, Cambridge CB4 4LX
Tel: 01223 200400

Lagan College

44 Manse Road, Lisnabreeny, Belfast,
Northern Ireland BT8 4SA
Tel: 01232 401810

Suzanne Hyde Kingston College, Surrey

Access courses are designed for people wishing to return to study some years after having left school. Many access students have little formal educational background but all have valuable life experience to bring to their studies. Access courses are designed for mature students - twenty-one years and above. Students range from those not long out of the education system through to those of retirement age and beyond. The primary aim of access courses is to prepare students to A-level standard and to introduce mature students to the skills necessary to take a degree. On most access courses students not only study the subject of their choice, they also spend much time learning about how to take notes from books and lectures, give presentations, write essays/reports and manage their time effectively.

Students should find the teaching styles on an access course quite varied. Students might find themselves working with a partner or in a small group or listening to a lecture or watching a video or collecting data for individual project work. This approach to teaching reflects the need to get involved with peers and the subjects under investigation as well as preparing students for university-style teaching methods. The emphasis within access course teaching is on confidence-building, co-operation and making learning enjoyable.

On most access courses, every piece of work counts so students do not have to worry about everything resting on end of year exams. Of course exams are a vital element of study, so on an access course students usually find plenty of advice on how to revise effectively and how to deal with exam nerves. Plenty of practice is available in timed work.

Anyone can set up an access course so students need to be sure that the access course they enrol for is offering quality education and will properly prepare them for university study. Kite-marked access courses are nationally recognised programmes which universities across the country consider as legitimate alternatives to A-levels. Many kite-marked courses are validated by the Open College Network which provides outside moderators to ensure a college is teaching and marking to A-level standard. 

Students should contact their local Further Education Colleges and Adult Education Departments* for information on access courses and compare their content. They need to ask a) is this a kite-marked programme?; b) does it provide me with the appropriate study skills as well as relevant knowledge of a subject?; c) does it offer anthropology or related courses?; d) what are the progression rates of former students onto university and specifically anthropology courses?; and e) do they have any specific links with local universities or local anthropology departments?

(*NB: The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has a website giving details of every official Access to Higher Education programme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: http://www.ucas.ac.uk/access/)

Students should ensure that access programmes are always suited to their needs and should also not be tempted to progress to university until they are ready. Most courses begin in September and so students should allow themselves time to shop around and find the course that best suits their needs. A useful text for those returning to education is The Good Study Guide by Andrew Northledge (1990, Open University Press).

The Workers' Educational Association is divided into a number of districts and local branches. It provides adults with access to organised learning and occasionally courses are run that relate to anthropological issues. For example, the South East Region of the WEA has run courses on Comparative Religion, Human Evolution and Colonial and Post-Colonial Africa. Contact your local regional WEA headquarters for further details.

Universities and Colleges often have specialist sections dealing with part-time adult and continuing education (often called Extra-Mural Departments). Many of these run courses on Anthropology and related topics. Since programmes tend to change from year to year, readers are advised to write to the Department in their area for a current prospectus. It is also useful to keep an eye on local 'what's on' listings and brochures. Below are given details of local centres and, in some cases, the courses currently running.

(For details of the Open University see page 91.)

University of Aberdeen

Centre for Continuing Education, Regent Building,
Regent Walk, Aberdeen AB24 3FX
Tel: 01224 272449

Director: Dr M.T. Dalgarno

University of Bath

Department of Continuing and Distance Education, Claverton Down, Bath,
Avon BA2 7AY
Tel: 01224 826452 

Director: Mr T.D. Bilham

University of Birmingham

School of Continuing Studies, Edgbaston,
Birmingham B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 4143344

Director: Mr Brian Murdoch

University of Bristol

Public Programmes Office, 8-10 Berkeley Square,
Clifton, Bristol BS8 1HH
Tel: 0117 9287172, Fax: 0117 9254975

Director: Mr Derek Smith

University of Cambridge

The Board of Continuing Education,
Public Programmes Division, Madingley Hall,
Madingley, Cambridge CB3 8AQ
Tel: 01954 210636

Director: Dr M. Richardson

The City Lit (The City Literary Institute),  London

16 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LJ

Information: 0171 831 9631
Advice and Guidance: 0171 430 0543
Enrolment:  0171 831 7831
Course Outlines: 0171 242 4225

Head of Humanities: Janette Grant

The City Lit offers a wide range of courses.  The main anthropology course is entitled Ways into Anthropology. Related subject areas include archaeology, folklore, mythology and spiritual studies.

University of Durham

Department of Continuing Education,
32 Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HN
Tel: 0191 3743724

Chair: Dr V Shelley

University of Exeter

Department of Continuing and Adult Education, Cotley, Streatham Rise, Exeter EX4 4PE
Tel: 01392 411905, Fax: 01392 436082

Director: Dr Roseanne Benn

University of Glasgow

Department of Adult and Continuing Education,
59 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LW
Tel: 0141 3304394 (24-hour answering)

Director: Professor Maria Slowey

Goldsmiths College

Professional and Community Education,
Deptford Town Hall Building,
Goldsmiths College, University of London,
New Cross, London SE14 6NW
Tel: 0171 9197200, Fax: 0171 9197223
Email: cenOlcce@gold.ac.uk

Range of part-time courses offered including:

Foundation Certificate in Social Anthropology (one and two-year courses);
Understanding Society (1 course unit at
level 1);
Studying Health and Illness (1 course unit at
level 1);
Film and Anthropology (0.5 course unit at
level 1)

For details of courses ring Dr Len Platt on
0171 9197207.

University of Hull

Centre for Lifelong Learning, 49 Salmon Grove,
Hull HU6 7SZ
Tel: 01482 465415

Acting Head: Mr Daniel Vulliamy

Keele University

Centre for Continuing and Professional Education, Keele, Staffs ST5 5BG
Tel: 01782 583436

Director: Mr Christopher Pike

University of Kent

Unit for Part Time Study, Keynes College, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NP
Tel: 01227 764000

Director: Ms Ann Harrison

University of Leeds

School of Continuing Education, Leeds LS2 9JT
Tel: 0113 2333222

Chair: Miriam Zukas

University of Leicester

Department of Adult Education,
128 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7PA
Tel: 0116 2525911

Director: Dr R Carter

University of Liverpool

Centre for Continuing Education,
19 Abercromby Square, Liverpool L69 7ZG
Tel: 0151 7946900/6952, Fax: 0151 7942544
Email: conted@liverpool.ac.uk

Director: Mr Ray Derricott
Deputy Director: Dr Rodney Wright

University of London

Centre for Faculty of Continuing Education, Birkbeck College,
26 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DQ
Tel: 0171 6316633/6650, Fax: 0171 6316688
Prospectus hotline: 0171 631 6687
Email: i.dickinson@cems.bbk.ac.uk or
Email: j.hoy@cems.bbk.ac.uk

Birbeck URL for Social Anthropology award is
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/fce2001/certdip/socantcert.htm

The archaeology programme may be accessed through http://www.bbk.ac.uk/fce2001/general/subjectlist.htm

Dean: Professor T. Schuller

Offers Certificate and Diploma level study in Social Anthropology.

University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Centre for Continuing Education, King George VI Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU
Tel: 0191 2225680

Director: Mr I.H. Forster

University of Nottingham

Department of Continuing Education,
Education Building, University Park,
Nottingham NG7 2RD
Tel: 0115 9514396

Director: Dr I.D. Sutton
Head of Department: Professor S. Parker

University of Oxford

Department for Continuing Education,
Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square,
Oxford OX1 2JA.
Tel: 0865 270360

Director: Dr G.P. Thomas

University of St Andrews

Centre for Continuing Education,
66 North Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AH
Tel: 01334 462200

Director: Alex Rougrie

University of Sheffield

Division of Continuing Education,
196-198 West Street, Sheffield S1 4ET
Tel: 0114 2227000, Fax: 0114 222 001
Email: Adultconted@sheffield.ac.uk
Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/A-C/ace/

Director: Robert Cameron

University of Southampton New College

Adult Continuing Education, The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1BG
Tel: 01703 597261

Director: Dr W.R. Jones

Courses on Anthropology offered from time to time.

Sutton College of Liberal Arts

Sutton College of Liberal Arts, St Nicholas Way, Sutton
Tel: 0181 7706901

Adult Education Programme 1998-9 includes the following courses: 
Contemporary Anthropology & Social Belonging
Introduction to Social Anthropology

Contact College to find out level of course offered.

University of Wales

University of Wales Aberystwyth
Department of Continuing Education, 10-11 Laura Place, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 2AU
Tel: 01970 622678

Acting Head of Department:
Mr Christopher J. Arnold

University of Wales Cardiff
Department For Continuing Education and Professional Development, 38 Park Place,
Cardiff CF1 3BB. Tel: 01222 874831/2

Head of Department: Dr Madeleine Havard

University College Swansea
Department of Adult Education,
Swansea SA2 8PP. Tel: 01792 201231

Director: Dr Hywel Francis

If you are interested in getting to know more about anthropology at pre-degree level either as a teacher or as a potential student you might want to make contact with the above forum. The aim of the forum is to share information through email and postal links. The forum also aims to discuss and resolve issues of common concern at workshops held once a term and generally to promote the teaching of anthropology within non-university settings and at pre-university level. 

The PUAF has been established within the National Network for Teaching and Learning Anthropology (see page 59). The Forum has been established by Dr Paul Valentine who will be co-ordinating the mailing list. Write to him at: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of East London, Longbridge Road, Dagenham, Essex RM8 2AS or email him at p.valentine@uel.ac.uk if you would like to be placed on the list.