Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ANTH42030: Advanced Theory of Social Anthropology

Department: Anthropology

ANTH42030: Advanced Theory of Social Anthropology

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None.
Tied to L6K307

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To explore some of the recent developments in the theory of socio-cultural anthropology
  • To enable students to assay critically current 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 current issues in the theory of socio-cultural anthropology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • In-depth knowledge of selected current issues in the theory 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

  • weekly seminar throughout the year

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 weekly 1 hours 22
Seminars 11 fortnightly 1hour 11
Preparation and reading 267
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 5,000 100%%

Formative Assessment:

formative feedback on Seminar presentations


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