ANTH 2057 - The Anthropology of Drinking: From Water to Wine

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2021

Drinking is fundamental to our lives as human beings. We drink for biological reasons - to quench our thirsts and for physical nourishment - but drinking also has a deep cultural resonance across almost all human societies for a range reasons, and it is this significance that will be explored in this course. What we drink, and how, matters. From water to wine, coffee to kava, and all manner of other substances, drinking is often a crucial and meaning-laden part of our social worlds. It is important in processes of social cohesion, identity construction, and symbolic boundary-making. It is present in ritual and religion, medicine, economic exchange, and ideas of leisure, enjoyment and relaxation. And in some cases, drinking is also subject to social stigmatization, and can be linked to notions of moral impurity, pathology, and social disorder. Anthropology is an evolving and expanding field, and the study of drinking as a cultural phenomenon extends across a number of academic disciplines. While students participating in this course are not be required to have a background in anthropology, they will be expected to familiarise themselves with anthropological perspectives in addressing the subject matter. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a range of theories, and these will be used as `lenses? through which to view and interrogate the cultural positioning of drinks and drinking. Ethnographic writing and film will be employed to examine and illuminate various ways drinking is performed and understood, and the functions and social relations of drinking will be analysed across a variety of cultural settings, including within contemporary Australia.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2057
    Course The Anthropology of Drinking: From Water to Wine
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Winter
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Course Description Drinking is fundamental to our lives as human beings. We drink for biological reasons - to quench our thirsts and for physical nourishment - but drinking also has a deep cultural resonance across almost all human societies for a range reasons, and it is this significance that will be explored in this course. What we drink, and how, matters. From water to wine, coffee to kava, and all manner of other substances, drinking is often a crucial and meaning-laden part of our social worlds. It is important in processes of social cohesion, identity construction, and symbolic boundary-making. It is present in ritual and religion, medicine, economic exchange, and ideas of leisure, enjoyment and relaxation. And in some cases, drinking is also subject to social stigmatization, and can be linked to notions of moral impurity, pathology, and social disorder. Anthropology is an evolving and expanding field, and the study of drinking as a cultural phenomenon extends across a number of academic disciplines. While students participating in this course are not be required to have a background in anthropology, they will be expected to familiarise themselves with anthropological perspectives in addressing the subject matter. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a range of theories, and these will be used as `lenses? through which to view and interrogate the cultural positioning of drinks and drinking. Ethnographic writing and film will be employed to examine and illuminate various ways drinking is performed and understood, and the functions and social relations of drinking will be analysed across a variety of cultural settings, including within contemporary Australia.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr William Skinner

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Understand the broad interdisciplinary context of research into human societies and culture, and demonstrate specific knowledge of anthropology as an academic discipline and body of knowledge based on specific methodologies, concepts and theories.

    2. Read and analyse ethnographic texts, and analyse current academic and popular debates relating to drinking.

    3. Formulate, investigate and discuss questions relating to real world issues and situations from an anthropologically informed position.

    4. Synthesise, evaluate and generate ideas and concepts in anthropology and understand or recognise central or key anthropological questions, problems and assumptions.

    5. Articulate creative and well-researched arguments in a variety of mediums, including written papers, verbal presentations, and online forums.

    6. Demonstrate the ability to undertake self-directed research, work in small groups with others, and participate in group discussions and activities.

    7. Demonstrate a comparative and tolerant outlook, which recognises the various ethical issues associated with representing the understanding and practices of others.
    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, 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
    2, 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
    4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5, 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, 7
    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, 7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures supported by problem-solving workshops in which students discuss and work through the material covered in readings and lectures.
    Workload

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

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
    This course is taught intensively over three weeks.

    3x 1 hour lectures per week 9 hours per semester
    3x 3 hour workshops per week 27 hours per semester
    Self-directed learning (reading, research activities, and assignment preparation) 120 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1.1 Introduction to an anthropology of drinking
    Week 1.2 Drinking and symbolism
    Week 1.3 Ritual drinking
    Week 2.1 Drinking times
    Week 2.2 Drinking and social roles
    Week 2.3 Problematic drinking
    Week 3.1 Colonialism, trade, and globalisation
    Week 3.2 Collective identity and the nation
    Week 3.3 Drinking and distinction
  • 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 outcome
    Workshop participation Formative and summative 10% 1-7
    Group workshop project Formative and summative 25% 1-7
    1200 word online journal Formative and summative 25% 1-7
    2000 word major research essay Summative 40% 1-7
    Assessment Detail
    Workshop Attendance and Participation - 10% weighting.

    • You are required to attend all workshops in this course.
    • Missing more than 1 workshop without legitimate documentation will result in penalty. Missing more than 2 workshops without legitimate explanation will result in failure (zero grade) for this component.
    • You should prepare for the workshop by thinking about the provided weekly workshop discussion prompts located in the Lecture and Workshop schedule below. You do not have to hand in your answers or write them up – but please do think through the questions as you do the readings. This preparation will count towards your participation grade.

    Students test out theories and engage in discussion and analysis of readings and lecture material. This is a short, intensive course, and workshops constitute the primary learning context. Students are required to participate in three 3-hour workshops per week.

    Participation means being actively involved in discussions and demonstrating knowledge of the readings. Keep in mind that asking questions about confusing concepts in readings or questioning the writer’s argument are excellent ways of getting involved. You should not solely rely on the course tutor to generate discussion. 

    Group Workshop Project - 25% weighting.

    The Group Workshop Project will involve the development and presentation of a (hypothetical) research project proposal. Students will be required to undertake background research and, in small groups, structure a project proposal and research agenda relating to a social and cultural issue surrounding drinking in Australia. Further detail and instructions will be provided in class, and time will be set aside in workshops to work on this assignment.

    Online Journal - 25% weighting.

    Students will be required to complete two online journal entries, each of 500-600 words, to be posted on the Canvas online discussion forum. These entries will be 'ethnographic' in nature, based on the students' observations of drinking practices in two everyday settings (such as a pub, a coffee shop, a restaurant or a party), and should include discussion of the observed values, meanings, and relations of power associated with drinking. Further instructions will be provided in class.

    Final Research Essay - 40% weighting.

    All students will submit a research essay at the end of the course. This is to be based on material in the Reading List as well as independent literature research. Students will be required to critically address a question relating to the themes of the course, based in relevant ethnographic and theoretical material. Essay questions, instructions, and marking criteria will be provided in class.

    Submission
    Assignments are submitted electronically via Canvas.
    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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