Anthropology, Ethnography and Folkloristics
From Himalayan wish-granting to the nightclubs of Berlin
Anthropology is a great opportunity to study people all over the world! From how humans evolved biologically and coming-coming-of-age rituals to how people engage with nature, we can provide an exhilarating investigation into human beings and their environments. We also specialise in rare and niche topics like Himalayan folklore and transit anthropology, so whatever your interest, it’s very likely we can help you out!
Meet Your Tutor
Dr. Jane Orton completed her research Masters’ at Oxford University under the supervision of leading anthropologist Charles Ramble, looking at human-wildlife interaction in Tibet and the Himalayas. She designed and taught courses at the University of Edinburgh when she was completing her PhD, and has university-level exam marking experience.Jane is an active researcher in anthropology and folklore, presenting her work at conferences, publishing in academic journals and working with leading academic institutions. This means that your tutorials will be full of fascinating examples and case studies from across the world! Click the link to read about her fieldwork in the Himalayas and the Sundarbans of Bangladesh! Contact us to find out more or click to download our Tuition Guide and Pricing Options!
“My one-to-ones with Jane have been incredibly helpful in organising my thoughts into detailed and developed arguments. Jane is great at clarifying, discussing and giving you confidence in your work...Whatever topic I've come to Jane with, she has aided me greatly.”
- Lucja
“A natural teacher, Jane effortlessly keeps our lessons interesting and fun while remaining on course - highly recommended.”
- Oliver
Jane says:
“One of my favourite things to do is to work with adults who have a ‘passion project’ – whether that’s a series of tutorials to gain knowledge of a topic and develop your own views, supporting you in writing a book or helping you to develop a unique independent research project. I’ve put together a number of ‘skeleton courses’ that we can follow to give you a good overview, but these can be adapted depending on what you’re looking for. We can also do sessions where we discuss works of philosophy or research papers, analyse historical documents or other primary sources, or add in extra material. I specialise in taking an adaptable, organic approach led by your interests and tailored to your needs - no ‘one size fits all’ strategies but real, human interaction.”
Browse our Anthropology Courses
These courses are templates of possible routes of study and can be combined, adapted, or designed from scratch to suit your interests and goals. Dr. Orton will work with you to design a course of private tutorials tailored to your needs, ability and schedule – whether you are undertaking your own research for an independent project, writing a book or simply have a personal interest. Click the link to find out what it’s like to work with her.
If you are writing a book or making a documentary and need some support, or you are working on an independent project or research investigation, we also offer support for independent researchers. Jane will be your research ‘teammate’ - someone to bounce ideas around with, discuss academic research, plan book chapters or simply give a series of informal tutorials directed towards your interests: real, human interaction and support to keep you moving towards your goal. Click the link to read more about her approach.
Introduction to Anthropology
Discover some of the most fascinating case studies in anthropology, ranging from the wish-granting entities of the Himalayas to the nightclubs of Berlin. You will have the opportunity to study the anthropology of body modifications, from the foot binding practiced in China to American prison tattoos and the lip plates worn in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Study the polyandry practiced by the Nyinba of Tibet and the ‘rituals of rebellion’ of the Swazi of South Africa, who ritually mock their new king in public. In addition, explore the academic debates surrounding the evolution of tool use and bipedalism and learn about the ways that humans think, communicate and organise social relations.
This course is ideal for those who enjoy exploring other cultures, those who wish to carry out their own research and those who seek to gain an understanding of what it is to be human. Students are encouraged to think of themselves as researchers, so options for tailoring this course include the incorporation of anthropological fieldwork and project design. We also recommend looking at our interdisciplinary online courses, such as Culture and Conservation, US Highways and How to Get Into Almost Anywhere. Your tutor has four academic degrees from world class universities, and eleven years of anthropological research experience. She has worked with some of the world’s leading anthropologists and has presented her research at conferences all over the world.
Introduction to Archaeology
This course begins with an introduction to the methods and practices involved in archaeological field and lab research, followed by a discussion of the so-called ‘ages of archaeology’ and the various types of archaeological sites. We shall be asking big questions about the origins of the human species and how and why societies change. Topics will include Prehistoric archaeology, Classical and European Archaeology, Egyptian Archaeology, Mesopotamian Archaeology, the Indus Valley Civilisation, China’s Shang Dynasty, African Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Archaeology of the Americas and Underwater Archaeology. You will share in some of archaeology’s most exciting discoveries, including Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798 and the mystery of the Rosetta Stone, the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen, Thomas Jefferson’s excavation of mounds in Virginia and the Byzantine and Ottoman shipwrecks at Yassı Ada.
This course is ideal for those who love the excitement of a historical mystery and the satisfaction of a thorough, scholarly investigation. It works well in conjunction with our other Anthropology courses, such as Introduction to Anthropology, and can be complemented with historical material from the periods studied. Additionally, it is an excellent companion to our intellectual history courses, which will deepen your understanding of the cultural climate of both the archaeological artefacts and their finders. Your personal tutor has four academic degrees from world class universities in intellectual and Ancient history, and eleven years of anthropological research experience.
Biological Anthropology
Biological anthropology is essential for anyone who seeks to gain an understanding of what it is to be human. We begin by examining human beings and their place in the animal kingdom, exploring such topics as human evolution, primates and primate behaviour, human growth and development, human osteology, genetics and palaeoanthropology. We shall particularly look at primate biology, investigating the evolutionary history of primates and comparative primate anatomy. We shall also examine human biology and identity, human sexual evolution and the relationship between hormones and behaviour, before going on to study the evolutionary, ecological and biological concepts underlying biodiversity. Throughout this course, we shall draw on and critique the major schools and theories of anthropology, from functionalism, structuralism and postmodernism to socio-biology and evolutionary psychology.
This course is ideal for those who are interested in the biology, behaviour and evolution of our species, including those who wish to carry out their own research. Options for tailoring this course include the incorporation of anthropological fieldwork and project design and research methods as well as the incorporation of additional subjects such as forensic archaeology and the anthropology of food and medicine. This course works particularly well in conjunction with our interdisciplinary course, Culture and Conservation. Your tutor has four academic degrees from world class universities, and eleven years of anthropological research experience. She has worked with some of the world’s leading anthropologists and has presented her research at conferences all over the world.
Social and Cultural Anthropology
This course covers the major themes in social and cultural anthropology, including ritual and religion, gender, social class, power and authority, the nation state and the formation of identities. We will take an anthropological perspective on important issues such as globalization and development, war, atrocity and genocide and ethnicity and nationalism. In addition, you will have the opportunity to study more unusual topics, such as the anthropology of art and forensic psychology. We will also investigate some of the most significant and game-changing professional ethnographic monographs, such as Mary Douglas’ work in the Belgian Congo, Malinowski’s findings in the Western Pacific and Evans-Pritchard’s account of the Azande. Finally, we will cover qualitative social research methods, which will equip you to design and carry out your own anthropological fieldwork.
This course is ideal for those who enjoy exploring other cultures, those who wish to carry out their own research and those who seek to gain an understanding of what it is to be human. It also works well as a follow-on from our Introduction to Anthropology course and in conjunction with our interdisciplinary Culture and Conservation course. Students are encouraged to think of themselves as researchers, so options for tailoring this course include the incorporation of anthropological fieldwork and project design. Your tutor has four academic degrees from world class universities, and eleven years of anthropological research experience. She has worked with some of the world’s leading anthropologists and has presented her research at conferences all over the world.
Philosophy of Anthropology
From Aristotle’s view of man as a rational animal, to Marx’s historical materialism to Sigmund Freud’s psychological account of human nature, this course covers some of history’s most influential thinkers on the way our species reflects on itself. Anthropology as a discipline has rightly undergone extensive self-reflection and criticism, so we shall consider the issue of how best to study human beings, including the ethics of fieldwork. We shall explore Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and Dawkins’ idea of cultural memes in the positivist school, and critique anthropology’s darker moments in the imperialist works of the nineteenth century. Early Evolutionary Social Anthropology, Naturalist Anthropology and the Ethnographic school will all be investigated, as well as the debates surrounding cultural determinism and cultural relativism. Finally, twentieth century debates between functionalism and structuralism, post-modern anthropology, existentialism and phenomenology will be discussed.
This course is ideal for those who wish to engage with some of the most important debates about how human beings see each other, and how we can study and understand ourselves. Options for tailoring include the incorporation of historical material from our history courses, such as the British Empire, the Victorians, the Enlightenment or the Age of Revolution, to better understand why anthropologists have previously misconceived and misrepresented other societies. It is also possible to undertake in-depth work on any of the thinkers in the course, or to combine this course with our History of Philosophy course. Your personal tutor has four academic degrees from world class universities, including a PhD in Philosophy, and eleven years of anthropological research experience. She has worked with some of the world’s leading anthropologists and has presented her research at conferences all over the world.
Tibetan and Himalayan Studies
From the wish-granting Balu Thukangbu, the Tulpas that manifest in the minds of spiritual practitioners and the Hidden Lands that are said to exist across the region, Tibet and the Himalayas are full of legends of mysterious and strange phenomena. Enchantingly beautiful, the area is also a point of cultural convergence between a diverse range of religions, languages and political systems. This course begins with an introduction to the Tibetan cultural area, Tibetan language and the history of Tibet, before exploring the religion and culture of various Himalayan regions such as Sikkim, Spiti and Arunachal Pradesh.
This course is perfect for those wishing to travel and work in the Himalayas; it also works well in conjunction with the course our on Himalayan Folklore. Further options for tailoring include the opportunity to study the anthropology and politics of Burma, the life of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. Your tutor has a research degree from Oxford University in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, and eleven years of research experience in the Himalayas. She is ideally equipped to advise on project design for those wishing to undertake fieldwork in the region. Take a look at our blog and research pages to find out more about hidden lands, Balu, Himalayan music and the elusive snow leopard!
Himalayan Folklore
Discover the folklore of Spiti, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. You will explore tales of hidden lands, crafty village gods and wish-granting creatures in these remote and fascinating areas of the Indian Himalayas. The course also explores the folk music of Spiti, including the few surviving Buchen, performing Lamas who follow the King of Empty Spaces in the Valley of the Clouds.
This course is perfect for those intending to travel to the Himalayas who wish to know more about the area and its people, those with an interest in folklore and anthropology, or those in need of jungle protection prayers to ward off Himalayan monsters. Options for tailoring include incorporation into the Tibetan and Himalayan Studies course or as an add-on to the Introduction to Anthropology course. We also recommend looking at our interdisciplinary courses, Culture and Conservation and How to Get Into Almost Anywhere. Your tutor has a research degree from Oxford University in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, and eleven years of research experience in the Himalayas. Take a look at our blog and research pages to find out more about hidden lands and village gods, listen to Himalayan music and discover the folklore of a high-altitude Himalayan desert!
Religion of the Himalayas
The Himalayas are home to some of the world’s most interesting and influential religions. This course begins by exploring Indian Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, the indigenous Bön religion of Tibet, and Hinduism, before going on to discover some of the lesser known religions of these remote areas. We shall explore the Bhutia and Lepcha of Sikkim and the Donyi Polo of Arunachal Pradesh, before examining Islam in Ladakh and Kashmir and the Christianity that is practised in some areas. Finally, we shall discuss the issue of religious conversion in the Himalayas, a fascinating yet controversial phenomenon currently affecting the region.
Options for tailoring this course include the study of Himalayan religion’s influence on the world, including Altai Animism, Tibetan medicine and Western esotericism. The course works well in conjunction with our other Religious Studies courses, or with our interdisciplinary course, Culture and Conservation. There is also a fieldwork option, in which you can conduct your own research. Your tutor has a research degree from Oxford University in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, and eleven years of fieldwork experience in the Himalayas. She has worked with some of the world’s leading anthropologists, presenting her research at conferences all over the world. She is ideally equipped to advise on project design for those wishing to undertake fieldwork. Take a look at our blog and research pages to find out more about Himalayan religion and folklore!
Transit Anthropology
Never will you look at a simple road, a lorry or even a nightclub in the same way again. This course explores the anthropology of transport through Exploration, Pilgrimage, Tourism, Esoteric and Forbidden Travel, Trade Routes, Racing and Stunt Driving. From the etiquette of Europe’s Grand Tour to the impact of tourism on water use in the Himalayan desert of Spiti, you will learn to think critically about how tourism has impacted human society. Discover how rumours spread among travellers about how to gain entry into Berghain, the nightclub with the most notorious door policy in the world, and the many tales of Hidden Lands in the Himalayas and their cultural significance. You will explore the culture and language of truckers and motorcycle gangs and the anthropology of bandits, piracy and the high seas. From the legendary silk route to the iconic American highways and historic British race tracks, this course will open your eyes to the world’s best kept secrets and the hidden roads you travel every day.
This course is ideal for those with a sense of adventure and curiosity about how human society has developed through travel and transport. Options for tailoring include the incorporation of material from our History of Transport course, or undertaking in-depth work on any of the case studies covered. We also recommend looking at our interdisciplinary online courses on US Highways or How to Get Into Almost Anywhere. Students are encouraged to undertake their own anthropological fieldwork and project design can be included as part of the course. Your tutor previously worked as a travel writer and has eleven years of anthropological research experience, specialising in the anthropology of Spiti in the Himalayas and the folklore of Hidden Lands. She has ridden on many of the racetracks featured in the course, and toured Europe and America extensively on motorcycles.