ANTH 3002 - Anthropology of Emotion, Mind and Person

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

Issues of what it is to be a thinking, feeling, knowing person are central to anthropology. Anthropology has, throughout its history, provided a unique and powerful focus on the mind, body and person in their total social and cultural context. This course explores different disciplinary perspectives on emotion, mind and person, while highlighting the distinctive methodological and theoretical tasks of anthropological explanation. Specific topics covered will include cross-cultural understandings of emotion, grief and mental illness; debates on the role of language in perception; and altered states of consciousness such as dreaming, trance and possession. The course culminates in an exploration of anthropological perspectives on what it is to be a person, using ethnographic and cross-cultural comparisons to reflect upon individuality, agency and power.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 3002
    Course Anthropology of Emotion, Mind and Person
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
    Incompatible ANTH 2037
    Course Description Issues of what it is to be a thinking, feeling, knowing person are central to anthropology. Anthropology has, throughout its history, provided a unique and powerful focus on the mind, body and person in their total social and cultural context. This course explores different disciplinary perspectives on emotion, mind and person, while highlighting the distinctive methodological and theoretical tasks of anthropological explanation. Specific topics covered will include cross-cultural understandings of emotion, grief and mental illness; debates on the role of language in perception; and altered states of consciousness such as dreaming, trance and possession. The course culminates in an exploration of anthropological perspectives on what it is to be a person, using ethnographic and cross-cultural comparisons to reflect upon individuality, agency and power.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Susan Hemer

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Display an understanding of key concepts in the anthropological study of mind, consciousness, emotion and personhood
    2 Evidence familiarity with anthropological literature, analytic frameworks and research methods in relation to these topics
    3 Develop a critical understanding of contemporary psychological and psychiatric knowledge and practice as cultural and contextual phenomena
    4 Demonstrate an ability to think, discuss and write critically and analytically about these topics
    5 Deeply understand and engage in contemporary and balanced debates about mind, emotions and persons
    6 Display the skills to work collaboratively as well as individually in a learning and research environment
    7 Comprehend and respond ethically to the diversity of social and cultural contexts and practices
    8 Demonstrate a deep ability to access & use relevant digital technologies to research a relevant topic
    9 Understand how debates about concepts of mind, emotions and persons relate to ourselves and our society
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    3, 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    7

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    8

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Required Readings for this course will be provided through MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Beatty, A. 2019. Emotional Worlds: Beyond an Anthropology of Emotion. Cambridge University Press.

    Davies, J. & D. Spencer. 2010. Emotions in the field: the Psychology and Anthropology of Fieldwork Experience. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Degnen, C. 2018 Cross-cultural Perspectives on Personhood and the Life Course. Springer.

    Eller, J. D. 2019 Psychological Anthropology for the 21st Century. Routledge.

    Hemer, S. R. & A. Dundon. 2016. Emotions, Senses, Spaces: Ethnographic Engagements and Intersections. Adelaide: University of Adelaide Press. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/press/titles/emotions/

    Kirmayer, L. J., Worthman, C. M. & Kitayama, S. 2020 Culture, Mind and Brain: Emerging Concepts, Models and Applications. Cambridge University Press.

    LeVine, R. A. 2010. Psychological Anthropology: a Reader on Self in Culture. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Luhrmann, T. M. & J. Marrow. 2016 Our Most Troubling Madness: Case Studies in Schizophrenia. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Morris, B. 1994. Anthropology of the Self: The Individual in Cultural Perspective. London: Pluto Press.

    Pritzker, S.E., Fenigsen, J. & Wilce, J. M. 2020 The Routledge Handbook of Language and Emotion. Routledge.
    Online Learning
    MyUni is central to this course. Recorded lectures and the powerpoints for these will be accessible through this. Required readings are accessible through Course Readings in MyUni. MyUni will be the site for all Assessment details, submission and feedback. Some workshops are scheduled to be online only, and the links for these will be available via MyUni, announcements and emails.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught through a combination of lectures and workshops. Lectures will be Face to Face and simultaneously recorded. These aim to provide the theoretical and conceptual background of the topics at hand. Workshops will either be in face-to-face or online mode (depending on what students are enrolled in) and will focus on key debates around these topics as well as cross-cultural variation. Assignments will allow student to focus on a number of issues of their own choice.
    Workload

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

     
     
     
    WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week: 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week: 24 hours per semester
    4 hours reading and workshop preparation per week: 48 hours per semester
    5 hours assignment preparation per week: 60 hours per semester
    1 hour research per week: 12 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1
    Introduction
    Week 2
    Brain, Mind & Society
    Week 3
    Language, Thought & Emotion
    Week 4
    Consciousness, Trance, and Altered states of consciousness
    Week 5
    Problematic Minds
    Week 6
    Independent Study
    Week 7
    Anthropology of Emotion
    Week 8
    Managing & Expressing Emotion
    Week 9
    Culture & Personality
    Week 10  
    Socio-centric & ego-centric personhood
    Week 11
    Problematic personhood
    Week 12
    Independent Study
  • 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 Learning Outcome
    Course Participation Formative & summative 10% 5, 6, 7
    Critical Review Post/Presentation Formative & summative 20% 3, 4, 5, 6
    1200 word research proposal Formative & summative 25% 1, 2, 8
    2500 word research essay Summative 45% 1, 2, 4
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Review of lectures and attendance at face-to-face or online workshops is essential for success in this course.
    Assessment Detail
    Course participation (10%): All workshop participants must have read all of the required readings for each week, and be prepared to discuss them. Participation means being actively involved in workshop discussions whether online or in face-to-face workshops and demonstrating a working knowledge of the readings. This forms the basis of the Participation mark.

    Critical Review Presentation or Post (20%): Students are required to present material on a chosen week of the course either within the workshop time in order to spark discussion and debate; or as a Discussion Post within the MyUni site (equivalent of 800 words or 5 minutes presentation; including relevant pictures, video clips, and references).

    The research project will consist of two parts, a Research proposal (25%) and a Research essay (45%). You will need to choose your own topic relating to the themes of this course which engages with core course readings and concepts.

    Research Proposal (25%): Provide a title or question; write a 400 word abstract on your topic; and an annotated bibliography of 6 to 8 items (100-150 words each). Total word count approximately 1200 words.

    Research Essay (45%): write a fully referenced 2500 word essay on your chosen topic following feedback on the research proposal that clearly links to course themes and readings.
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.