COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA in Archaeology, Anthropology, and Art History with a Placement Year offers a multidisciplinary approach to understanding art and material culture across time and cultures. In the first year, students are introduced to key concepts in art history, archaeology, and anthropology, exploring how artworks are created, interpreted, and situated in their social, economic, and religious contexts. They engage with original works in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and develop essential academic skills such as research and referencing. Modules like "Makers and Making" and "People and Cultures" encourage students to think critically about cultural production and its impact on society, while "Introduction to Archaeology" and "Environment, Art and Culture" broaden their understanding of how art and objects interact with environments and belief systems. In the second year, students delve into material culture through modules such as "Material Worlds" and "The Lives of Objects," which challenge them to consider how everyday items acquire meaning. These studies are complemented by contemporary perspectives in "Art in the Contemporary World," which addresses how art intersects with politics, identity, and public spaces. Year three is dedicated to a professional placement, providing students with real-world experience in a field relevant to their interests, such as heritage, creative industries, or the public sector. Supported by faculty and the Careers Service, this year enhances employability and allows students to apply academic knowledge in practical settings. In the final year, students specialize by choosing advanced modules and completing a dissertation. Working closely with a supervisor, they conduct independent research on a chosen topic, developing critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills essential for careers in academia, museums, cultural institutions, or further study. This structured program ensures students graduate with both theoretical insight and practical experience in art, archaeology, and anthropology.