ANTH 2054 - The Sexual Body

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course explores how sexuality is understood and experienced cross-culturally. Utilising a variety of historical and cross-cultural frameworks and examples, it will investigate some central theories of sexuality in order to locate particular ideological, political, economic, religious, global and other influences on conceptualisations of human sexuality. In particular, it will examine ethnographic research that questions the 'natural' or given qualities of sexual bodies, identities, ideas and practices. In order to do this, the course will also examine what are often characterised as sexual abnormalities or aberrations in our own and other cultures, such as third genders and homosexual practices. The course will focus on taken for granted aspects of sexuality, especially those assumptions about gendered roles in sexual practices and ideas, the ways in which these may become naturalised, and how anthropology may provide useful ways to critically explore the corporeal and cultural bases of ideas and practices of sexuality. Finally, the course will explore the various ethical and practical problems that anthropologists of sexuality have encountered in specific ethnographic research, and the ways in which they have been able to shed light on more general problems in ethnographic research pertaining to power, reflexivity, and anthropological methodologies and theories.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2054
    Course The Sexual Body
    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
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of level I undergraduate study
    Incompatible ANTH 2016, ANTH 3016
    Course Description This course explores how sexuality is understood and experienced cross-culturally. Utilising a variety of historical and cross-cultural frameworks and examples, it will investigate some central theories of sexuality in order to locate particular ideological, political, economic, religious, global and other influences on conceptualisations of human sexuality. In particular, it will examine ethnographic research that questions the 'natural' or given qualities of sexual bodies, identities, ideas and practices. In order to do this, the course will also examine what are often characterised as sexual abnormalities or aberrations in our own and other cultures, such as third genders and homosexual practices. The course will focus on taken for granted aspects of sexuality, especially those assumptions about gendered roles in sexual practices and ideas, the ways in which these may become naturalised, and how anthropology may provide useful ways to critically explore the corporeal and cultural bases of ideas and practices of sexuality. Finally, the course will explore the various ethical and practical problems that anthropologists of sexuality have encountered in specific ethnographic research, and the ways in which they have been able to shed light on more general problems in ethnographic research pertaining to power, reflexivity, and anthropological methodologies and theories.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Alison Dundon

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1. To provide an understanding of the broad nature and theories of the anthropological analysis of cross-cultural sexualities.

    2. To develop knowledge of and insight into key issues concerning the cross-cultural study of sexual cultures in anthropology.

    3. To foster the ability to understand and apply key theoretical approaches to ethnographic representations of contemporary sexual practices, ideals and identities.

    4. To develop the ability to critically evaluate central themes, propositions and concepts in the anthropology of sexuality.

    5. To promote an interest and insight into the diversity of human sexual practices, relationships and beliefs.

    6. To develop the skills to work collaboratively in teams as well as individually in a learning and research environment.

    7. To foster an interest in and commitment to continuous learning and social scientific research in particular.

    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, 5
    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
    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
    1, 2, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    There is a Book of Readings available for this course from the Image and Copy Centre, Level 1, Hughes Building. The Book of Readings consists of a copy of the Course Profile and the Essential Readings for each SEMINAR as listed in the course structure.
    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 also been suggested for each week and will be available on MyUni or in Reserve or on databases at the Library. 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 and/or listening to recorded lectures. Essay questions will also 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

    Course work is made up of three components: lectures, seminars and assignments. Attendance at and participation in lectures and tutorials is essential as is completion of all assessment requirements. All are essential for your learning and development in this course.

    Workload

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


    Contact Hours (3 Hours)
    Lectures: 1 hour per week
    Workshop: 2 hours per week

    Research, reading and preparation for tutorials and assessment
    Tutorial preparation (reading): between 3-4 hours per week
    Preparation for assignments and reading supplementary readings: 5-7 hours per week (average)

    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1 - Sexual Lives & Cultures
    Week 2 - Sexual Selves
    Week 3  - Sexual Bodies
    Week 4 - Research task for Essay
    Week 5 - Gendered Sexualities
    Week 6  - Sexual Subjectivities
    Week 7 - Sexuality, Desire & Love
    Week 8 - Online Research Activity
    Week 9 - Sexuality, Religion & Spirituality
    Week 10 - Research Activity

    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Small Group Discovery is embedded throughout the course but especially evident in Weeks 4, 8 & 10 of the course wiht smeinars devoted to SGDE
  • 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 Leaning Outcome
    Shory essay Summative 30% 1, 2, 3
    Seminar Participation Formative & Summative 10% 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
    Team-led seminar Summative 20% 2, 5, 6
    Course Journal Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The assignments set for this course are an essay; a team-led seminar; seminar participation, and a course journal.

    Students are required to attend one two-hour seminar per week. Attendance at and participation in these on a weekly basis is a primary requirement of this course. Each student is required to attend a minimum number of SEVEN seminars in order to successfully complete the course
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Assesssment tasks, except the Team-led Seminars and Seminar Participation, will be submitted via Turnitin on 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.

  • 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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