Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module ANTH44015: Thinking Anthropologically

Department: Anthropology

ANTH44015: Thinking Anthropologically

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2021/22

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To explore the history and some of the recent developments in the theory of socio-cultural anthropology
  • To enable students to assay critically theoretical debates in socio-cultural anthropology and to engage with them in their research
  • To enable students to understand how anthropological fieldwork is influenced by the researcher's theoretical orientation

Content

  • Selected issues in the theory of socio-cultural anthropology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Broad knowledge of selected issues in the theory of socio-cultural anthropology
  • Broad knowledge of the history of socio-cultural anthropology
  • An understanding of how anthropological fieldwork is influenced by the researcher's theoretical orientation
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To develop ability to formulate theoretically informed research aims
  • To develop ability to present an effective argument (both orally and in writing) that demonstrates an awareness of the complexity of selected theoretical issues
Key Skills:
  • Communication: students will be taught how to communicate clearly (both orally and in writing) their understanding of the material they have read
  • Improving their own learning and performance: students will learn to use a variety of web tools for searching the primary and secondary literature

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

  • Different types of taught sessions

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Classes 15 As specified in the module handbook 1 hour 15
Preparation and Reading 135
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 3000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

500 word 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