Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module HUSS1101: WAYS OF LIFE

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS1101: WAYS OF LIFE

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to C1L6
Tied to B991
Tied to L600

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • An introduction to the diversity of societies, cultures and modes of production.

Content

  • A series of ethnographies including: hunter-gatherers, pastoralists, swidden cultivators, peasants, industrial or post-industrial societies.
  • Definitions and problems of terminology in the anthropological literature.
  • The significance of historical context to anthropological knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of ethnographic literature from a range of continents and cultures, past and present, within the context of critical, analytical, problem-based learning perspectives.
  • An appreciation of the importance of the relationship between ethnographically specific accounts of humankind and general, comparative perspectives.
  • Ability to view local cultures from a global perspective and understand the various processes changing societies.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • A knowledge and understanding of contemporary methods and concepts of anthropological analysis with emphasis on social and cultural anthropology.
  • Demonstrate links and differences between the ideas and approaches adopted by various anthropologists past and present.
  • Critically evaluate evidence, concepts, arguments and assumptions as these feature in a variety of anthropological and ethnographic materials.
  • Fimiliarity with technical vocabulary of social and cultural anthropology.
Key Skills:
  • Communicate ideas, principles theories, problems and solutions through essay writing and orallyin seminars
  • Work effectively in groups as demonstrated through a group project (poster).

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

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Fieldwork
  • Coursework
  • Examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 1 per week 1 hour 30 mins 30
Seminars 10 Fortnightly 1 hour 10
Fieldwork 1 Term 2 3 hours 3
Preparation and Reading 157
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group poster with supporting notes 37.5%
Essay 1500 words 62.5%
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hour 45 minutes 100%

Formative Assessment:

Essay plan and summary; one 1500 word essay.


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