AR1SOC10-Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology [10 credits]

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Alanna Cant
Email: a.m.cant@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides a general introduction to social anthropology, the study of human societies and cultures. It will introduce you to major themes in the discipline of anthropology through real-world case studies from different cultures and regions around the globe. Topics may include: gender and sexuality, the roles of religion, ritual and witchcraft in modern life, the concepts of ethnicity and race, and the place of hunter-gatherer societies in the contemporary period. The module will also consider how anthropology can help us understand key issues in today’s world, such as globalisation, economics, consumption, violence, and human rights. It is taught by a team of social anthropologists who draw on their own research and experience in their teaching.

Aims:

• To introduce you to anthropological theory and ethnographic texts.


• To examine different cultures and societies, including a range of political, economic, social, and religious systems found in different places.


• To introduce you to a range of research questions that anthropologists have investigated in societies around the world.


• To familiarize you with anthropological perspectives that can help you to understand contemporary global events, issues, and processes.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of one or more key anthropological theories, supported by one or more contemporary case studies.


• Demonstrate an ability to apply anthropological theories and/or concepts to contemporary issues, in an appropriate, selective and informed way.

Additional outcomes:

By the end of this module, you will have greater confidence in your ability to apply your learning to a range of issues and current events, and you will have been introduced to some themes and issues that are relevant to related courses in human geography, archaeology and the social sciences and humanities more broadly.

Outline content:

Students on this module will learn about social anthropology by engaging with research about different cultures and societies from around the world. The lectures, readings and assignments may focus on case studies from Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific, Asia, and Europe. ÌýThrough these case studies, students will encounter a wide range of topics ranging from family life to economic processes.

Specific themes will vary but may include: kin ship, gender and sexuality; the human body and the senses; religion and ritual; witchcraft; contemporary hunter-gather societies; exchange and economics; violence; ethnicity and race; and human rights.

A key emphasis of the module is how anthropological theories and perspectives can help us to understand contemporary issues in today’s world, such as modernity, globalisation, consumption, exchange and violence. The module will also explore relevant connections between an thropology, archaeology and human geography, as well as themes in the social sciences and humanities more broadly. Ìý

Global context:

Social anthropology is inherently global, as anthropological research is typically conducted by people who are not from the places that they study. This module encourages students to learn about different peoples and places from around the world in order to consider how our cultural differences and similarities make us human. Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is divided into ten blocks of two-hour interactive lectures, led by a member of the teaching team.Ìý

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Ìý Ìý Wider reading (directed)		30
Ìý Ìý Advance preparation for classes		5
Ìý Ìý Preparation of practical report		40
Ìý Ìý Reflection		5
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Set exercise	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One Reading Journal: 8 entries of 300 - 400 words each, worth 100% of the final grade.

Formative assessment methods:

Oral feedback will be given during the lecture sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:Ìý None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:Ìý None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:Ìý None

4) Printing and binding:Ìý None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:Ìý None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:Ìý None

Last updated: 24 June 2021