ANTH 1104 - Culture & Society: Foundations of Anthropology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course provides an introduction to fundamental areas of inquiry in social anthropology. It examines essential aspects of human social life from a cross-cultural perspective, which is one of the defining characteristics of anthropology. The main features of social life, kinship and friendship, exchange, ownership and leadership, religion and cultural creativity are found in all human societies and we trace the study of these from their origins in the classic works of anthropology, through the historical development of the discipline, into more recent times. This course aims to show how anthropologists came to analyse human social life in the way they did, how this has changed over time, and how we can make use of this knowledge to inform the critical analysis of contemporary societies, including present-day Australia. The course explores how anthropology provides powerful perspectives on such things as economics, language, thought, nature, sex and gender as distinctly social phenomena.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 1104
    Course Culture & Society: Foundations of Anthropology
    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
    Course Description This course provides an introduction to fundamental areas of inquiry in social anthropology. It examines essential aspects of human social life from a cross-cultural perspective, which is one of the defining characteristics of anthropology.

    The main features of social life, kinship and friendship, exchange, ownership and leadership, religion and cultural creativity are found in all human societies and we trace the study of these from their origins in the classic works of anthropology, through the historical development of the discipline, into more recent times. This course aims to show how anthropologists came to analyse human social life in the way they did, how this has changed over time, and how we can make use of this knowledge to inform the critical analysis of contemporary societies, including present-day Australia. The course explores how anthropology provides powerful perspectives on such things as economics, language, thought, nature, sex and gender as distinctly social phenomena.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Rodney Lucas

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Understand the broad nature and theories of social anthropology
    2 Develop knowledge of and insight into the key issues and concerns of social anthropology
    3 Understand and apply key theoretical approaches to contemporary social situations
    4 Critically evaluate central themes, propositions and concepts in social anthropology
    5 Comprehend the diversity of human social and cultural contexts and practices
    6 Display the skills to work collaboratively in teams as well as individually in a learning and research environment
    7 Manifest an interest in and commitment to continuous learning and social scientific research
    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, 4
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3, 4
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6
    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. 5
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There will be a Reading Book available for this course from the Image and Copy Centre, Level 1, Hughes Building at the start of semester. The Reading Book consists of a copy of the Course Outline and the essential readings for each tutorial week as listed in the tutorial program.
    Recommended Resources
    For those who wish to read beyond the essential readings for each week or for use in developing and researching assessments, supplementary readings have been suggested for each week.  Some of these will be available electronically on MyUni (subject to copyright). Please see Helen Attar, Research Librarian for Anthropology, for further enquiries about anthropological sources online and in the library. Contact details: tel: 8313 5345; email: helen.attar@adelaide.edu.au.
    Online Learning
    Lectures will be recorded each week and made available on MyUni. Course lecture PowerPoints and additional notes or references will also be made available on MyUni after the relevant lecture. The PowerPoints only refer to the main points or issues raised in the lectures and are not a substitute for attending lectures. Some readings will be available through MyUni, subject to copyright and other restrictions.  Essay questions will also be made available on MyUni, as will any adjustments made to lecture and tutorial times or locations (or cancellations) and other announcements.
  • 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 x 1-hour lectures per week (or equivalent) 24 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour tutorial per week (or equivalent) 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
    Week 1 Introduction
    Week 2 Explaining the Social Socially
    Week 3 Being There: Ethnography and Making Sense of Things
    Week 4 Exchange: Questioning what is ‘Economics’
    Week 5 Language, Thought and Cognition
    Week 6 Rites of Passage: Structuring Transformation
    Week 7 Nature or Nurture?
    Week 8 Experience, Everydayness and (Inter-)Subjectivity
    Week 9 Research for final essay
    Week 10 Sex and Gender
    Week 11 Bodies
    Week 12 Conclusion
  • 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 outcomes
    Tutorial participation Formative and summative 10% 1-7
    Tutorial presentation Formative and summative 20% 1-7
    1200 word minor essay Formative and summative 30% 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
    2200 word major essay Formative and summative 40% 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at and participation in tutorials is a primary requirement of this course. Each student is required to attend a minimum number of tutorials to qualify to pass the course. Additionally, all assessment components must be submitted in order to qualify to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial participation: Students will be evaluated on their familiarity with the required readings, their preparation for and leadership in discussions, their role in group presentations, and their general class participation - 10% weighting.

    Tutorial presentation: based on the readings set for tutorials. Each tutorial will be led by a team of 3-4 students who are expected to have thoroughly researched the issue. Tutorial topics will be chosen in the first week of tutorials. Using supplementary readings and material in addition to the essential readings for the week, the team will lead the tutorial in discussing questions, concerns and issues raised by the readings - 20% weighting.

    1200 word minor essay: students are required to think about their own engagement in some form of gift-giving and reflect upon their knowledge of (and assumptions about) gifting in their culture or social milieu, but reflected through some of the anthropological ideas that have developed around this quintessential social practice - 30% weighting.

    2200 word major essay: the essay is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate the extent to which they have engaged with the central themes and issues raised in both lectures and tutorials. Many of the questions also encourage students to research one or more case studies or examples in some detail and apply these analytically to their chosen essay question provided at the start of semester - 40% weighting.
    Submission
    All assignments must be submitted online via MyUni. Assignments submitted more than two weeks after the due date without an approved extended submission date will not be accepted or assessed.


    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

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