The social and cultural anthropology course explores humankind in all its diversity through the comparative study of culture and society. Anthropology contributes to an understanding of contemporary issues, such as gender, ethnicity, religion, the environment, globalization, human rights, inequality and poverty, technology, and violence. This course offers critical insight into the continuities as well as dynamics of social change and the development of societies, and challenges cultural assumptions. HL students conduct and report a field study to demonstrate understanding of anthropological concepts, apply them to ethnographic data, and produce sound analysis and anthropological insight into cultural behavior. HL external assessment consists of two written papers, incorporating theoretical perspectives on cultural similarities and differences.