History and Social Anthropology

[RosieLig]

I've been doing a bit of looking into Uni courses that may suit my going into year 11 son. Ages away I know but I was hoping that some goals might motivate him!

He loves history and the human geography part of geography. He is not particularly academic and I am concerned about his GCSEs. He is bright but is dyslexic and has focus issues. Anyway hopefully when he can concentrate on just 3 subjects for A level his marks will improve! He is doing 9 GCSEs.

So just wondered about options for him. Social anthropology sounds right up his street and he was excited to hear he could study this with history at Uni(if he gets the grades)

Anyone with any experience of these subjects? Especially for a less than super academic child. Are there Access courses he could do if he doesn't get the grades?

Thanks for any wisdom and/or experience!

Why would a 'not particularly academic' kid be going to university?

Have you read beyond my first few lines?!

It's something he wants to do (uni that is) it's not me. I'm looking at his strengths and interests and seeing if there's somewhere he can continue learning after school. If he so chooses. He's only 15 so there is still plenty of time for him to mature and fulfil a bit more of his potential.

If you can't think of anything supportive and/or constructive to write then don't bother posting. Until you've had a bright child who struggles and has low self esteem you have no idea. So F off with your face.

I think you need to evaluate what such a course entails because it will be academic. It cannot be anything else. I would suggest you look up relevant courses at universities via a search facility and see what A levels be geades are needed. Obviously History but I am really not sure about access courses because I thought these were for returning adults. You may find a Foundation course is what he needs.

I too think that if you are expecting a late bloomer you may be disappointed. Why not visit a couple of universities that offer the course? See what you think and if it's possible.

Hi

Thanks Bubbles. Yes I need to look at Foundation courses- I'm just at the very beginning of this journey!! So not sure of the differences.

I do feel that he will bloom, I just know him and know he has potential. He just needs some confidence, better focus and dork ethic! We have already seen improvements over the last year. Anyway - we will see!!! 2.5 years to A levels is a long time.

Thanks for your constructive advice. It's tough as we don't want to set him up for a fail but we also don't want to underestimate him....

Haha great typo- work ethic not dork ethic 😆

Have a look at Anthrapology and History at Goldsmiths, London. They have a foundation year. Also want BBB which is reasonable. Similar courses are available at Canterbury, Birmingham and Edinburgh so you can compare entry requirements and course content to see where his interests lie.

Thanks Bubbles- I'll take a look at that. appreciate your help. 😊

Lots of young people will be doing 3 A levels now so that will not be a barrier. Download a prospectus or two and have a read. The upper tier universities probably will not offer foundation years but you can keep on researching and find other universities. My initial search found the above ones easily.

University of Sussex do one too. Thanks!! It's just good to feel a bit prepared for when the time comes.

I did social anthropology and would actually not recommend it, sorry.
I took it as I also liked human geography but it is very different and

Oops, sorry!
..... Is more akin to sociology than geography, lots of discussion of culture and of anthropology and its own validity as a subject.
If I had my time again, I'd go for plain geography then just chosen more human geography topics. I'd say not having a standard degree has made certain career choices harder and most people haven't got a clue what the subject is and think it's a bit of a joke!

Pretty much all universities (with one of two exceptions) run human and physical geography as two different courses. Human geography students have to study one module or so of physical geography in their first year but not beyond as they are essentially two different subjects. DS very nearly chose to study history and human geography join honours so I know there are courses around.

I took History and Social Anthropology at Kent. I really loved it. You look at cultures, kinship, religions. In my final year I took a module on town planning which I really enjoyed.

There were a lot of essays, as you'd expect with a History degree. Have a look at the full course details and see what you think.

I do think Anthrapology on its own is less "employable" than doing it with History. The offer for Kent is higher A level grades I think and checking about the availability of foundation courses is key. Look at the content of every course to see if it's what you think will suit. They will differ and also your DSs interests may change.

If he doesn't like reading, writing essays and critical thinking then history isn't for him. It's a very academic course. I guess archaeology is more hands on but it's also very nebulous having studied it myself.
It's not for a non academic

He's still pretty young and kids change a lot in sixth form. He is likely to develop better and more independent study habits with the time allowed for A levels compared to what they've got available for a bunch of GCSEs. Keep aiming high!

My degree is in sociology, which is similar. It's a fascinating subject (I think it should be compulsory to A level!) but it is, like history, a lot of work. A lot of essay writing, a lot of fact learning, you have to be able to construct good arguments. But if he's really engaged with the subject it's much easier to do all that work. A friend is currently doing a Human Geography MA and the content is very similar to sociology.

There is an Access to humanities course available in some places that includes history and sociology if he didn't get the grades. Honestly access courses are far better preparation for uni than A levels, friends on my course who'd done them instead were much better prepared for uni style study (i went to a top 10 uni, so it was a high standard)

I'd advise him engage with the world as much as possible, that's what makes sociology/antropology and even history so exciting, they're a window on the world.

Thanks so much everyone. You've all been extremely helpful. I guess we'll see how it all pans out examwise over the next few years...I like the idea of a Foundation course which would give him that extra year. Really helpful on the subjects too. 😊

Thanks too BruceFoxton for those encouraging comments. It's a fine line we tread!!! I just want him to be happy and achieve as well as he can. School and exams don't reflect what someone like him has to offer.

Just to be clear: Access courses are for people without traditional qualifications. Usually adults. They are not for 18 year olds with lower grade A levels. Foundation courses are what you should look at.

I studied anthropology, first year was social, medical and archeological (you then chose your speciality for years 2+3).

Social anthropology is very academic and research led. It includes alot of research and statistical knowledge along with interpreting information and its application to society. Has alot of parallels with sociology/psychology. He may be more suited to archeological which looks at geographical settlements, migration of populations etc.

You also need to think of its practical application once finished - there are very very few roles that directly use these subjects without further or higher education. Although having a degree enables him to apply for graduate schemes. You need to think if he would be better with a specific job in mind.