Postgraduate Taught Courses
Masters of Research (MRes) in Social Anthropology and Amerindian Studies
The MRes in Social Anthropology and Amerindian Studies consists of 180 credits, 120 of which are made up of four modules (30 credits each), of which two or three modules are in Amerindian Studies, and one or two modules are drawn from the MRes in Social Anthropology. The other 60 credits are provided by the Dissertation. Together, these modules aim to give students an awareness of research topics and trends in Amerindian Studies, and to prepare them for anthropological fieldwork in the Americas.
Teaching is carried out by means of lectures, seminars, tutorial supervisions and reading groups. Students are expected to take an active part in classes, which are the opportunity for practical work and formative assessment. The overall aim is to foster a critical outlook and the creative application of knowledge and skills. Continuous assessment normally makes up 100% of the mark for a module, consisting of two essays per module. Contact hours are 4 hours a week (lectures, seminars/reading groups & tutorials) per taught module.
Please note that students who wish to progress to PhD should register that intention as soon as possible with the Director of the Centre and the PG Convener for Social Anthropology; the possibility exists to submit the MRes dissertation as a research proposal for a PhD project. This opportunity can be taken up only after appropriate consultation with your supervisor and with the approval of the Postgraduate Committee. Students can usually only proceed to PhD after successful completion of the MRes course.
Learning Outcomes
Students normally learn to manage at least one language used in South America (Quechua and Spanish have been the languages most often taught, Spanish generally through courses provided by the School of Modern Languages), as well as acquiring an understanding of the highly complex social, political and cultural experiences of the historic populations of South America. They will thus be equipped for a wide range of extension, development and support activities in relation to Amerindian and South American peasant and urban communities, with NGOSs, and with the national societies in which they participate. Through these understandings, in combination with the comparative perspective provided by the Social Anthropology modules, they will also be prepared for a range of related activities in different parts of the world. Their research will also enable them to participate in national and regional debates, and participate in the delivery of academic and extension talks and courses in different countries of the Hispanic world.
For further information, please contact:
Centre for Amerindian, Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Department of Social Anthropology
School of Philosophical, Anthropological & Film Studies
University of St Andrews
71 North Street
St Andrews, Fife
KY16 9AL Scotland, UK
Email: amerindian@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1334 462986/2977
