ANTH 3036 - Contemporary Anthropology: Perspectives & Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

Anthropology is a constantly evolving field. The aim of this course is to understand core aspects of the practice of the discipline, both ethnographic and theoretical, and how anthropologists have adapted to change while remaining empirically descriptive, narratively innovative, and theoretically engaged. Students choose from a curated selection of full-length ethnographic monographs, which are then supplemented by readings that cover a wide variety of topics and regional sites of study. The goal of reading full-length books is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of how anthropologists engage with fieldwork and how they navigate the challenge of turning research experiences into rich anthropological knowledge. The lectures and seminars supplement the critical examination of anthropological work through detailed and interactive discussions of the main theoretical currents in anthropology. By the end of the semester, students will understand contemporary trends and debates in anthropology, and be aware of the potential ways in which they can begin to contribute to the discipline in advanced study or in professional fields.

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Course Details

Course Code	ANTH 3036
Course	Contemporary Anthropology: Perspectives & Practice
Coordinating Unit	Anthropology and Development Studies
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 15 units of Anthropology Major courses
Incompatible	ANTH 3100
Restrictions	Available to students undertaking an Anthropology Major only
Assessment	Ethnographic Writing 25%, Book Analysis (2000 words) 25%, Research Essay (5000 words) 50%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Georgina Drew

Dr Susan Hemer

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

1.To provide in-depth study of the discipline of anthropology as a basis for an undergraduate major and continuation into honours and postgraduate study.

2.To provide an understanding of the ethnographic process and the procedures that go into the data collection and writing styles that constitute what is termed ethnography.

3.To provide a critical examination of the theoretical perspectives that currently dominate anthropology and which contribute to major inquiries regarding agency, experience and culture.

4.To provide a venue for the critical engagement with ethnographic monographs as the principal mode of producing anthropological knowledge.

5.To provide experience in the creation of anthropological knowledge as critical, comparative and reflexive.

6.To develop the ability to engage in conceptual and thematic discussions in small groups about matters of scholastic and anthropological importance.

7.To develop specialised knowledge about the specific cultural worlds described in ethnographic texts.

8. Navigate and use relevant digital technologies and forms of communication conducive to 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)
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.	1,2,3,4
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.	6
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.	5,6,8
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 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	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.	6

Learning Resources

Online Learning

The course uses MyUni tools and resources. The course guide as well as the supplementary readings will be made available on MyUni and the recorded lectures will be posted there using the MyMedia service. All course material will be posted at the beginning of the semester with the exception of the lecture power points and recordings, which are to be released over the semester. MyUni’s Final Grade Centre will also be employed so that students can easily access their course performance indicators.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course is taught in a 3-hour block to provide for a real-time interactive lecture followed by a series of class discussions, workshops, and small group discovery experiences. The block format helps to deepen knowledge of the key content covered and to cultivate the skills needed to complete the course assessments.

Workload

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

This course is worth 6 units and, as per Learning and Teaching guidelines, involves an expanded workload relative to a 3-unit course.

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

1 x 3-hour interactive seminar per week (or equivalent) = 36 hours per semester

6 hours reading per week = 72 hours per semester
6 hours research per week = 72 hours per semester
6 hours (on average) of assignment preparation per week = 72 hours per semester
4 hours of supplemental video content per week = 48 hours per semester
12 hours of added research time for the final assignment = 12 hours

TOTAL WORKLOAD = 312 HOURS PER SEMESTER

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1: Introduction: The Birth and Growth of Anthropology as a Discipline

Week 2: Ethnographic Fieldwork

Week 3: Ethnographic Writing

Week 4: No Seminars Due to Week 4 Assignment Deadline

Week 5: Phenomenology: Embodiement and Experience

Week 6: Theories of Practice: Structure and Agency

Week 7: Power, Knowledge and the Body

Week 8: Reading & Writing Workshop

Week 9: No Seminars (Usually a Public Holiday)

Week 10: Decolonising Praxis

Week 11: Engaged/Applied Anthropology

Week 12: Creative Practice and Peformance Ethnography

Specific Course Requirements

In addition to reading and writing activities, students are required to do a participant witnessing exercise where they are assigned a café, mall, or park to observe for a period of one hour. Students must take notes about this experience and they are restricted to observation alone—no interviews are allowed. Students are then expected to submit a written assignment that is ethnographic in tone and which conveys the cultural worlds of value, practice, and power evident in the contexts observed.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

The course will utilise a range of assessment tasks that will be detailed in the course's MyUni portal (see the 'Assignments' tab).

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)
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 (Canvas).
Late penalties are calculated at minus 2 points per day (including weekends)—and all assigments are out of 100 points.

Assessment Detail

Four key assignments make up the course assessments:

1) Participant Witnessing Essay (20%)
2) Fieldnotes for Participant Witnessing Essay (5%)
3) Book Precis Based on a Full Monography Published by an Anthropologist (25%)
4) Research Essay on a 'Cutting Edge' or Emerging Issue/Concept in Anthropology (45%)

Submission

The submission of all assignments will be via MyUni (and Turnitin).

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator