Module ANTH3407: Anthropology of Community in Britain

Department: Anthropology

ANTH3407: Anthropology of Community in Britain

Prerequisites

• Political & Economic Organisation (ANTH2051) or Kinship & Belief Systems (ANTH2041), Culture & Classifications (HUSS2191)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To consolidate and extend understanding of key themes encountered in the Level Two modules Political & Economic Organisation (ANTH2051) and Kinship & Belief Systems (ANTH2041 and Cultures & Classifications
• To encourage students to explore and better understanding a number of core concepts in athropology, including community, identity, belonging, individuality, narrative and place
• To provide a research-led enquiry into current debates in one specific field of socio-cultural anthropology. A detailed account of the thematic contents is available in the module handbook

Content

• This module, comprising 10 lectures and 5 classes, consists of an analysis of significant anthropological research carried out in Britain
• Content includes a thorough historical overview of community studies and discussion of a variety of connected themes including, for example, family and kinship, friendship, formal institutions (school, hospitals), work, leisure, sport and the arts, religion, tourism and the impact of globalization
• To explore the relationship between policy-oriented and academic definitions and analyses of the concept 'community'

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have a good grasp of the range of anthroplogical fieldwork carried out in Britian and the contribution of this research to theoretical developments in the discipline

• To identify and compare and contrast relevant ethnographic cases
• To develop reflexive skills
• To identify similarities and differences between the ideas and approaches adopted by various scholars and practitioners
• To evaluate and critically analyse anthropological and relevant policy-oriented literature
• To present a coherent demonstration of the theoretical implications of different arguments

• To identify a researchable problem independently and explore it (problem solving)
• To find relevant information and utilise socio-cultural anthropological sources effectively (problem solving)
• To construct an effective argument that demonstrates an awareness of the subtlety and complexity of selected theoretical issues (problem solving, communication skills)
• To demonstrate an ability to debate relevant key issues both orally and in writing (communication skills)
• To research and organise (in a small group) material for discussion presentation in class (working with others, communication skills)

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

• The module is presented through a combination of carefully integrated lectures and seminars, facilitating discussion and debate with a view to achieving the learning outcomes outlines above
• Audio-visual aids (short films, summaries and diagrams on powerpoint, etc.) are used where appropriate
• Lectures will cover topics relevant for providing students with an understanding of theories relating specifically to the anthropology of community. They are used for the primary delivery of material since they facilitate clear transmission of information in an active learning environment where students can question and seek clarification. They serve not only to communicate facts but also to develop an understanding of the relationship between theories and issues
• Seminars will develop themes introduced during lectures, they will provide an opportunity for students to discuss and debate a series of topics and to make oral presentations, thereby consolidating subject-specific and generic skills
• Summative essays test skills of understanding, analysis information collection and presentation
• Formative assessment is primarily through the presentation of material during seminars, though also as an integral part of the day-to-day teaching process

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Each student, as part of a small group, facilitate one class. 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