ANTH 1104 - Introduction to Anthropology: Society and Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

This course explores the history of anthropology, defines key concepts used in the discipline and introduces students to the unique research methods that anthropologists use to understand human life (e.g. long-term immersive research with people). In this course students will study social structures / systems and learn about people's cultural practices, values and beliefs, including their own. The course uses a broad variety of cross-cultural examples (e.g. gift-giving in Japan, adolescence in Samoa, tourism in Panama, Hip Hop in Australia) to analyse the diverse ways that humans around the world think, feel, communicate and behave. In doing so, the course seeks to foster cultural sensitivity and respect for cultural differences. The course aims to develop students' understanding of the practical and ethical issues associated with conducting anthropological research. More broadly, it equips students with essential reading and writing skills needed to describe and critically interpret qualitative research in the social sciences.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 1104
    Course Introduction to Anthropology: Society and Culture
    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
    Course Description This course explores the history of anthropology, defines key concepts used in the discipline and introduces students to the unique research methods that anthropologists use to understand human life (e.g. long-term immersive research with people). In this course students will study social structures / systems and learn about people's cultural practices, values and beliefs, including their own. The course uses a broad variety of cross-cultural examples (e.g. gift-giving in Japan, adolescence in Samoa, tourism in Panama, Hip Hop in Australia) to analyse the diverse ways that humans around the world think, feel, communicate and behave. In doing so, the course seeks to foster cultural sensitivity and respect for cultural differences. The course aims to develop students' understanding of the practical and ethical issues associated with conducting anthropological research. More broadly, it equips students with essential reading and writing skills needed to describe and critically interpret qualitative research in the social sciences.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Dianne Rodger

    Course Timetable

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

    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3, 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    6, 7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All required readings for the course will be available electronically via the course page on MyUni. 

    No other resources are required. 
    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.  These will also be available electronically on MyUni.


    Online Learning
    Lectures will be recorded each week and audio-recordings and powerpoint slides will be made available online via MyUni.

    More broadly, MyUni will be used to share announcements, assessment information (e.g. assignment instructions, marking rubrics) and additional resources (e.g. essay writing tips, discussion board posts). 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures provide the basic intellectual and analytic content of the course (by modelling an anthropological style of enquiry).  These are supported by problem-solving tutorials developing and expanding upon the 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 Defining Anthropology (What can an anthropologist do?)
    Week 2 Methods and Fieldwork
    Week 3 An Anthropologist at the Musuem (Flipped Lecture - includes discussion of an activity compelted at the SA Musuem)
    Week 4 Gift-Giving: Analysing Exchange
    Week 5 Authenticity and Cultural Change (Hip Hop and Tourism)
    Week 6 Nature vs. Nurture - Margaret Mead vs. Derek Freeman 
    Week 7 Disgust and Taboos: Cultural Classifications and Categories
    Week 8 Anthropology and Kinship / Relatedness
    Week 9 Library Skills - Essay Writing Week
    Week 10 Rituals and Rites of Passage
    Week 11 Careers and Applied Anthropology (What ELSE can an anthropologist do?)
    Week 12 Essay Prepration Week 
    NOTE: This schedule is a rough guide only and may change. For the most up to date information please check MyUni.
    Specific Course Requirements
    None.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Students will have the opportunity to work with each other in small groups (usually 2-4 persons) to research and present to fellow students materials relating to a focus topic within the course.  These groups will work toward providing a context for a broader discussion that will take place across the whole tutorial, following a presentation.  Students working in this way are encouraged to be creative: to bring their own insights and knowledge to the topic, to go beyond the basic readings, and to find their own materials.  Broader research and egagement will be rewarded in assessment.
  • 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
    Due Weighting Course learning outcomes
    Active participation Formative and summative Ongoing throughout semester 10% 1-5, 7
    Quiz Summative Before census date (Week 3-4) 5% 1-5, 7
    Group presentation Summative To be scheduled during tutorials (students will sign up) 15% 1-7 (in particular 6)
    1000 word Minor essay Formative and summative To be advised - anticipated before mid semester break 25% 1-5, 7
    2000 word Major essay Summative To be advised - anticipated after Week 12 (end of course) 45% 1-5, 7
    Modified arrangements have been made to assessments and the details provided here reflect recent updates.
    Assessment Task Weighting
    Active participation 10%
    Quiz 1 15%
    Quiz 2 15%
    Essay Outline / Annotated Bibliography 20%
    Major essay 40%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    • Examinations will not form part of the assesment for this course.
    • There are no hurdle requirements for this course (no assessments that must be completed with a minimum grade in order to pass the course overall).
    • Self and peer assessment will not be used in this course.
    • Extensive information about the individual requirements for all assessment tasks will be provided on MyUni at the start of semester (including late penalities etc.).
    Assessment Detail
    Detailed information about each assessment task will be provided on MyUni.
    Submission
    All written assignments and quizzes must be submitted / completed using MyUni. 


    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.

    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.

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