GRADUATE STUDY

MPhil in Social Anthropology and Museums

The MPhil in Social Anthropology and Museums is a taught course in social anthropology with one paper devoted to artefact-based theory and anthropology in the context of museums.
In addition to this paper, students are examined on one of the following papers, plus a 12,000 word thesis and at least one assessed essay:

Paper 1: The Scope of Social Anthropology I: Production and Reproduction
Paper 2: The Scope of Social Anthropology II: Systems of Power and Knowledge
Paper 3(b) Museum Anthropology

This paper provides an overview of the history and roles of museums. Drawing on historical and cross-cultural comparisons, students are taught to look at the ways in which objects are collected, classified and displayed.

A central concern is the relationship between museums and the communities they represent. This includes understanding historical, ideological and legalistic frameworks for the movement of artefacts of cultrural property as well as the political implications of cultural representation.
Students receive hands-on training in the care and handling of artefacts and are taught essential guidelines for preventative conservation and collections management. Levels of museum communication are discussed within the museum education and exhibiting practices.

MPhil in Archaeological Heritage Management and Museums

Rapid developments both inside and outside archaeology are changing the entire context in which archaeology functions as a discipline.As academic archaeology comes of age, different interpretations, each with their philosophical, social and political consequences, emerge ever more strongly. The emergence of a pluralistic society, and the increasing interest of the general public in archaeology, demand that the archaeologist be much more aware of these aspects.Increasing internationalism, within Europe and on a wider scale, makes it essential that we look more closely at how different groups are solving some of these problems.Developing awareness of these problems, and helping to solve them, is an intellectual concern of considerable magnitude.

The MPhil course 'Archaeological Heritage and Museums' concentrates on these issues.The topics are all of academic importance and the teaching focuses on theoretical understanding of the issues involved, with practical examples used as case studies.The aim is to educate students within this expanding field and to activate further research.

The course comprises three series of lectures and seminars, which run concurrently:

Paper 3:THE SOCIO-POLITICS OF THE PAST
This course covers the theoretical background of Heritage Studies.It aims to develop an awareness of the diverse social and cultural contexts of the uses and interests in the past. It raises issues concerning the relationship between the past and the present.It looks at the relationships between multiple interpretations and their contexts.It also tackles ethical questions, and is concerned with the politics of the past.

Paper 4:MUSEUMS:HISTORY, THEORY AND PRACTICE
This paper stresses the different contexts in which the past is created and presented.It looks at the legal and administrative framework, but it also looks at monuments, museums, excavations, exhibits and visual or literary presentations.It discusses comparatively issues such as museological traditions, the ethics of collecting and diverse display techniques.

Paper 5:THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE
This paper looks at how we interact with, and influence, the past we create. It looks at the history of how archaeologists have organised the remains from the past.It follows this development up to the present, looking at current problems, issues and policies.It also investigates how the past is presented and communicated.

Graduate Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to study at Cambridge for the:

• MPhil in Social Anthropology and Museums, or the
• MPhil in Archaeological Heritage and Museums,

please contact the relevant teaching department via their respective websites.

In order to enrol in any of the graduate programmes offered by the University, it is necessary first to apply to the Board of Graduate Studies (BoGS).

Cambridge is a collegiate institution, which means that in addition to being admitted to the University, you will need to gain admission to one of the Colleges. You will be asked to nominate your choice of college(s) on the application form sent to you by BoGS. Should you be offered a place by the University, your application form will then be forwarded to your first choice of college.

College prospectuses are available online. You may also wish to consult the CUSU Alternative Prospectus, which provides reviews written by students of life at each college.