Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module ANTH3832: Specialised Aspects of Health and Medical Anthropology (40 credits)

Department: Anthropology

ANTH3832: Specialised Aspects of Health and Medical Anthropology (40 credits)

Type Open Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • ANTH2111 Sex, Reproduction and Love OR ANTH2141Global Health and Disease (or for 2018-19 only, ANTH2111 Sex, Reproduction and Love OR ANTH2081 International Health and Development OR ANTH2011 Ecology, Genomics and Health).

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • ANTH3811 Specialised Aspects of Health and Medical Anthropology (20 credits); ANTH3853 Specialised Aspects of Health and Medical Anthropology (60 credits)

Aims

  • To develop an understanding of specialised aspects of health and medical anthropology, chosen from a list of topics representing the main areas of research in the Anthropology of Health Research Group.

Content

  • Four topics, as available. It is envisaged that 6-8 topics will be offered annually, selected to be representative of the core research areas in health and medical anthropology, which may include:
  • Life history theory
  • Human reproductive ecology
  • Infant and maternal health
  • Global health
  • Human ecology
  • Western diseases
  • Reproduction and ethics
  • Medical humanities
  • Critical medical anthropology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • At the end of the module, students will be able to: 
  • Demonstrate advanced levels of current knowledge and intensive understanding in four specific areas of health and medical anthropology research. 
  • Deploy analytical skills specific to specialised aspects under study in the Anthropology of Health Research Group.
  • Be competent in accessing and assimilating specialised research literature of an advanced nature.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • In depth knowledge of a particular area of evolutionary anthropology, with emphasis on interpretation and comprehensive understanding of primary data.
Key Skills:
  • Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments in written form.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Classes will integrate lecture, tutorial and practical components, with the balance dictated by appropriateness to the research topic in question.
  • Lecture elements will provide students with an outline of key knowledge and debates in the topic area, discuss the literature that students should explore, and provide relevant examples and cases studies.
  • Tutorial elements will develop topics introduced in lectures and required reading to analyse aspects or case studies in greater depth and to prepare students for their summative assignment.
  • Practical components will provide students with hands-on experience of the research.
  • Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references in advance of tutorials and general and particular reading related to the assessment, which will be a written assignment (such as an essay or report).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Classes 60 Specified in module handbook 1 hour 60
Preparation & Reading 340
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay / report / written assignment 1 3000 words 25%
Essay / report / written assignment 2 3000 words 25%
Essay / report / written assignment 3 3000 words 25%
Essay / report / written assignment 4 3000 words 25%

Formative Assessment:

Formative guidance on assessments may differ by topic, and full details will be provided in classes. Typical formatives may include presenting ideas related to your assignment topic in class, or an extended essay plan.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University