Music and Social Anthropology

The BA Music combined degree is a unique opportunity to study the musical traditions of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and their global diasporas.

SOAS Music has an international reputation for providing a platform for musicians, industry specialists, and researchers from around the world. Students study music from a variety of perspectives, including ethnomusicology, anthropology, politics, and history, and survey a broad range of Asian and African musical cultures.

In years 2 and 3 they are encouraged to develop their own interests by focusing on specific regions and by considering cross-regional themes, from music and gender to the music business.

Performance is a central component of the degree. You will develop expertise in a great variety of musical performance traditions. The course combines academic and practical skills: students are trained in research methods, critical theories, fieldwork practice, sound recording, podcasting, presentation skills, and musical performance.

Social Anthropology is an academic discipline that in many respects straddles the social sciences and humanities. It both draws from and contributes to such disciplines as philosophy, linguistics and literature, as well as sociology and history. The BA teaches the methods of social anthropological investigation, emphasising the detailed study of multiple, interwoven areas of social life, through long participation and linguistic familiarity. Students have scope to tailor their programme of study according to their own interests.