ANTH 2008 - Identity and Discrimination

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

This course is an exploration into human diversity through a celebration of our distinct identities and differences. It includes attention to the latest developments in the anthropology of race, gender, religion, sexuality, and of differently abled bodies. In particular, the course will consider the ways that people come to craft a particular identity based on their unique biophysical and psycho-social compositions along with the ways that society alternately embraces, rejects, or seeks to modify our expressions of diversity. Through course lectures, readings and small group workshops, students will examine identity formation among minority groups in settler colonial societies, among people who do not conform with hypersexual or heteronormative social expectations, among people with majority as well as minority belief systems, and among people who have special skills and special needs. Students will also interrogate the various processes of exclusion and discrimination that people with obvious differences in appearance, belief and ability experience on a day-to-day basis. The goal of the course is to promote consideration for the diversity of human experience and expression, as well as understandings of the pathways out of suffering that are possible when our collective differences are embraced.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2008
    Course Identity and Discrimination
    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
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Course Description This course is an exploration into human diversity through a celebration of our distinct identities and differences. It includes attention to the latest developments in the anthropology of race, gender, religion, sexuality, and of differently abled bodies. In particular, the course will consider the ways that people come to craft a particular identity based on their unique biophysical and psycho-social compositions along with the ways that society alternately embraces, rejects, or seeks to modify our expressions of diversity. Through course lectures, readings and small group workshops, students will examine identity formation among minority groups in settler colonial societies, among people who do not conform with hypersexual or heteronormative social expectations, among people with majority as well as minority belief systems, and among people who have special skills and special needs. Students will also interrogate the various processes of exclusion and discrimination that people with obvious differences in appearance, belief and ability experience on a day-to-day basis. The goal of the course is to promote consideration for the diversity of human experience and expression, as well as understandings of the pathways out of suffering that are possible when our collective differences are embraced.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Georgina Drew

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Appreciate biological diversity and social complexity;
    2. Reflect upon the identity formation of diverse populations;
    3. Demonstrate a capacity for creative thought and social analysis;
    4. Strengthen the ability to identify and reflect upon various forms of discrimination;
    5. Build a safe and respectful learning community that reflects compassion for diversity.
    6. Develop analytical tools and interpersonal skills relevant to a variety of work environments.
    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)
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No textbook is required for this course, though a course reader may be available. 

    All weekly readings will be posted on MyUni for download. 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    WEEKLY LECTURE TOPICS (Subject to change prior to course guide finalisation)

    1 Who are We and Why/How do we Belong?
    2 Identity: Ways of Being and Belonging
    3 Discrimination: Being and Belonging through Exclusion
    4 Race and Difference
    5 Religion and Difference
    6 Bodies and Difference
    7 Gender Discrimination
    8 Sexual Discrimination
    9 Bioethics and Social Futures
    10 Overcoming Discrimination Part I
    11 Overcoming Discrimination Part II
    12 Synthesising Anthropologies of Identity and Discrimination
    Workload

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

    WORKLOAD – STRUCTURED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS
    1 x 1-hour lectures per week 12 hours per semester
    2 x 1-hour lecture per week 24 hours per semester


    TOTAL = 36


    WORKLOAD – SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS
    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 = 156
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no specific course requirements. It is open to all students interested in the topic. 
  • 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

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail


    1) 1500 Word Research Essay: Students are required to write a 1500 word research essay that includes citations and references. (35%)

    2) Textual and Social Media Analysis: Students are required to write critical evaluations of texts (a magazine article, film, artwork, etc.) or a social media thread that explores issues of identity, belonging, and discrimination in a way that is informed by, and which quotes, course readings and lectures. Please reference the course guide for additional guidelines and directions. (45%)

    3) Presentation: Students will be assessed on 15-minute group presentations on a nominated topic in the course (or, alternately, a 7-minute individual presentation). (10%)

    4) Participation: Students will be assessed on the degree of their active participation in class. (10%)
    Submission
    All written assignments will be submitted via MyUni. No hardcopy assignement submissions will be accepted.
    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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