Course summary

The BA Creative Arts and Social Anthropology combined degree at SOAS University of London offers a rich, interdisciplinary education that explores the intersections between artistic practices and cultural anthropology, with a focus on Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. This programme enables students to investigate the role of the arts in expressing cultural identities and beliefs, while studying the social and cultural contexts that shape these practices. In the Creative Arts component, students engage with visual, performing, and musical arts, alongside broader cultural industries from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The curriculum covers topics such as arts management, heritage preservation, and cultural diplomacy, providing students with practical skills in curation, project management, and consultancy. Students gain a global perspective on the creative arts, informed by insights from anthropology. The Social Anthropology component immerses students in the study of diverse societies and cultural practices, examining topics such as ritual, religion, kinship, and social organisation. By exploring anthropological theories and methodologies, students gain an understanding of how art and culture express social values and identities. This component emphasises the importance of ethnographic research and critical analysis, equipping students with the skills to interpret cultural production within broader social frameworks. By combining these two disciplines, the BA Creative Arts and Social Anthropology programme offers graduates a distinctive skill set that merges creative insight with anthropological understanding. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students for careers in arts management, cultural consultancy, heritage organisations, social research, and NGOs, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to global cultural and social discussions.