ANTH 4003 - Honours Anthropology Thesis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

The Honours Thesis Course is based on the production of a 15, 000 word dissertation by each student. This will be the primary objective of the course, and the planning, researching and writing of the thesis will be done by the student under supervision by staff members and the course coordinator/s. A dissertation seminar will be a part of the course and is designed to support students through the stages of producing a dissertation. It aims to assist students to arrive and articulate a relevant topic; to turn this topic into an anthropological problem appropriate to the task of writing a thesis; to aid in the consideration of useful theoretical perspectives; to help identify and locate material and relevant literature; to create tasks that address the chosen problem; and help in the creation of a dissertation structure. Students are expected to give structured presentations on aspects of their research projects and dissertations, with a view to workshopping and refining work-in-progress. Topics pertaining to the processes of research, writing and time management will also be covered in the seminars.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 4003
    Course Honours Anthropology Thesis
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 12
    Contact 1 hour per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites Completed degree (72 units) with a 24 unit major in Anthropology
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Description The Honours Thesis Course is based on the production of a 15, 000 word dissertation by each student. This will be the primary objective of the course, and the planning, researching and writing of the thesis will be done by the student under supervision by staff members and the course coordinator/s. A dissertation seminar will be a part of the course and is designed to support students through the stages of producing a dissertation. It aims to assist students to arrive and articulate a relevant topic; to turn this topic into an anthropological problem appropriate to the task of writing a thesis; to aid in the consideration of useful theoretical perspectives; to help identify and locate material and relevant literature; to create tasks that address the chosen problem; and help in the creation of a dissertation structure. Students are expected to give structured presentations on aspects of their research projects and dissertations, with a view to workshopping and refining work-in-progress. Topics pertaining to the processes of research, writing and time management will also be covered in the seminars.
    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 develop the capacity to be able to articulate an appropriate and achievable research project for the Honours program.
    2 To have the skills to turn the selected topic into an anthropological problem suited to the task of writing a dissertation.
    3 To be able to identify and located substantive material and literature on the topic.
    4 To be able to identify key theoretical and conceptual works in order to critically analyse the topic or issue.
    5 To develop the skill of articulating a clear, substantiated and theoretically-informed argument in the dissertation.
    6 To recognise the possibilities that anthropological research offers for addressing global, cultural, and ethical issues.
    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)
    3,4
    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
    1, 2
    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
    1, 6
    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
    6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The Honours Thesis Course is based on the production of a dissertation and  a dissertation seminar, which aims to aid students in formulating a research proposal and finding a relevant topic; aiding with the formulation of research hypotheses and central questions; considering what kinds of theoretical frameworks are appropriate or useful; and how to write chapters and theses in anthropology.
    Workload

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

    WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
    1 hour supervision per week 12 hours per semester
    23.5 hours research per week 282 hours per semester
    23.5 hours thesis writing per week 282 hours per semester

    In addition, a further 48 hours in week 13 is expected in revising and editing the thesis in preparation for submission.

    48 hours per semester
    TOTAL 624 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • 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
    15,000 word Formative and Summative 100% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Assessment Detail
    Rationale for assessment:  The Honours dissertation is designed to aid students in planning, researching and writing a substantial
    piece of a research program that they have designed and researched themselves. This is considered an essential skill for the professional and/or academic application of anthropological research methods.  The thesis is the culmination of the Honours
    year and is weighted accordingly.
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

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

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    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

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    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.

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