ANTH 1105 - Anthropology of Everyday Life

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course is an introduction to the discipline of anthropology as the study of everyday social life in a variety of cultural worlds, including our own. The course introduces the major themes of anthropology: the concept of culture, how we get along with other people, the way our everyday lives are made meaningful and the tacit dimensions of social life. These themes are presented through case studies of everyday actions and social relations by anthropologists: the ways people in different societies create boundaries and meaning, cockfights in Indonesia, gifts and making friends, how and why social relations split up, understanding institutions, smoking cigarettes in Australia, driving cars in Nepal, resistance in Malaysia, and rituals in Africa.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 1105
    Course Anthropology of Everyday Life
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Assessment Tutorial participation, tutorial presentation, minor essay, major essay
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Georgina Drew

    Office: 118 Napier Level 1

    georgina.drew@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    3 Mar - 7 Apr Monday 12pm - 1pm Scott Theatre, 001, Scott Theatre
    4 Mar - 8 Apr Tuesday 2pm - 3pm Scott Theatre, 001, Scott Theatre

    28 Apr - 2 Jun Monday 12pm - 1pm Scott Theatre, 001, Scott Theatre
    29 Apr - 3 Jun Tuesday 2pm - 3pm Scott Theatre, 001, Scott Theatre
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Provide an introduction to anthropology as a discipline concerned with understanding the everyday lifeworlds of people
    2 Gain an understanding of the methods and issues associated with anthropological research
    3 Develop the ability to locate and analyse relevant scholarly literature
    4 Develop and apply critical thinking skills
    5 Develop communication and teamwork skills
    6 Demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, cultural difference and diversity
    7 Foster inquiry and critical analysis of assumptions about everyday social life
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3,4,5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3,4,5,7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4,5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4,5,6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All course material, including the course outline and links to all required tutorial and supplementary readings are available on the MyUni website. If students wish to purchase a hard copy of the tutorial readings, they will be available at the Image and Copy Centre, Level 1, Hughes Building.
    Recommended Resources
    This short list of resources will be useful for supplementary reading and essay preparation.

    The library resource guide for anthropology will also assist you to search databases, references and journals available through the library http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/soc/anthro/

    Books:

    Barfield, T. 2000 Dictionary of Anthropology. Cambridge, Mass.: Blackwell (e-version available online through the university library catalogue);

    Erickson, P. & Murphy, L. 2008 A History of Anthropological Theory. Toronto: University of Toronto;

    Hendry, J. 2008 An Introduction to Social Anthropology: Sharing our Worlds. Hampshire, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.


  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials developing material covered in lectures.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    2 hours of lectures (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Anthropology and the Everyday
    Week 1 Anthropology: living in society vs studying living in society
    Week 2 Where and How: Anthropological Methods/Ethnographic Fieldwork
    Week 3 Understanding Culture in The Everyday: Examples from Childhood
    Difference, Race, and Resistance
    Week 4 Difference: Us, Them, We
    Week 5 ‘Race’ and Difference
    Week 6 Resistance
    Body, Appetites and Experience
    Week 7 Dirt, Pollution, and the Body
    Week 8 Appetites and Sexualities
    Week 9 Experience and Intersubjectivity
    Week 10 Presentation of the Self
    Week 11 Presentation of the Self: Online and Virtual Encounters
    Week 12 Public Events and Meaning
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Course Learning Outcome
    Tutorial participation Formative and Summative 10% 1-7
    Tutorial presentation Formative and Summative 20% 1-7
    2 x open book multiple choice exams Formative and Summative 30% 1-7
    2000 word essay Formative and Summative 40% 2, 3, 4, 7
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial participation: attendance and participation in tutorials - 10% weighting

    Tutorial presentation: 30 minute group presentation - 20% weighting

    2 x Multiple choice exams: accessed and completed on MyUni - 15% weighting each (total 30%)

    2000 word essay: submit an essay in response to a particular question - 40% weighting
    Submission
    Essays are to be submitted online via Turnitin and MyUni. There will be no extensions for written work without adequate documentation (such as a medical or counselling certificate) or negotiation with your tutor. Essays more than 2 weeks late will not be marked and you will gain 0% for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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