Soas vs Goldmsith

Hello,

I'm currently studying a master's at SOAS. If you'd like to learn a bit more about the global media and digital communication course at SOAS I recommend having a look at SOAS's OnDemand open day. You'll be able to look around at taster lectures and introductions for the various departments and it might help to give you an idea of what it might be like to study at SOAS.

I also highly recommend looking through the individual module options for both SOAS and Goldsmith to see what suits your own interests best. as well as seeing if there are any open modules outside of the MA degree you might want to take to supplement your studies.

I hope this helps

- Monica (MA Social Anthropology)

Hi Guys so I have to chose between MA global media and communication as soas vs MSC marketing and technology at Goldsmith. I am confused which one to take. suggestions guys ?

Hi Monica,

First of all, sorry I have so many questions.. I hope to become a super-old student but at the same time I'm feeling nervous about going back to uni.

May I know what made you choose MA Social Anthropology in SOAS apart from the fact that they're very strong on anthropology?
Did your MA course meet your expectations? I suppose you can't really say no, but maybe share a bit about the aspects that you found out only after you started the course?
If you could go back to a year ago (before starting the course), what useful advice would you give to yourself?

Thanks a lot for your time and help.

Hey, I hope this answers your questions!


What made you choose MA Social Anthropology in SOAS apart from the fact that they're very strong on anthropology?

1) I had worked a lot with refugees and in care homes during the pandemic. I cared more and more about social issues and primarily about how “big” concepts like Capitalism, Neoliberalism, Feminism and Climate change impacted people's everyday lives. I really wanted that ethnographic component to be Centre stage in the work that I did because for me those everyday experiences of desire, resistance, autonomy and just life in general are what peaked my academic interests. The modules at SOAS really lend themselves to that and I think my degree has aligned a lot with those interests.

2) I wanted to be experimental with my degree and learn how to write good essays but also incorporate creativity and art in my academic work because I’m also interested in visual anthropology. I loved that I wasn’t only going to be studying classical anthropology but also a more Global an inclusive anthropology.

Did your MA course meet your expectations?

I think it’s lived up to most of my expectations in some of the best possible ways. I wanted nuance and I definitely got it. I think the way I have learnt anthropology here has complicated the world in a way that makes it make more sense.

Also, I’ve incorporated graphic illustrations and animations in my work alongside my essays I’ve submitted my work to a few exhibitions and awards with the help of the anthropology department which succeeded by expectations. Studying at SOAS allowed me to think, write and create outside of the usual box that you can often be confined to in academia, whilst also staying engaged with academia and staying challenged. So overall I’m really help with it.

Share a bit about the aspects that you found out only after you started the course?

Maybe just the fact that there is a lot of reading and it's hard to do all of it. Sometimes I found you really have to pick and choose your interests because you can't learn it all. So be mindful if you have a particular thematic or geographic interest make sure you get what you want out of each module and try to read as many conclusions and introductions as possible because it’s all really useful for developing and analysing theory and ethnography.

Also, the tutorials are only an hour long, which is fine, but I wish it was longer, there is just so much to discuss. The nice thing is that often there are seminar series or for postgrad lecturers might make an effort to bring the class together outside of lectures so you can talk and socialise in a less formal environment. But 100% I wish the tutorials were longer I could talk about Sophie Chao’s Children of the palms for years.

If you could go back to a year ago (before starting the course), what useful advice would you give to yourself?

This is a tough question; I would maybe get a little more use to reading a lot before the course started and just try to bulk up my general knowledge about different places in the world. I think it give you a good starting point and helps you to make more thoughtful points. Whether that’s a brief look into settler colonialism in Latin America or a Netflix documentary on ancient roman democracy. Or just random articles you like the title of. I recommend just having a look.

I would also probably talk to my lecturers more about readings and things during office hours.

I hope this helps let me know if I missed anything!

Monica - (Social Anthropology MA)