Module ANTH4011: Anthropology and Professional Practice

Department: Anthropology

ANTH4011: Anthropology and Professional Practice

Prerequisites

• Research Proposal (Social Anthropology Anth****)

Corequisites

• Master of Social Anthropology

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide students with an opportunity to reflect on strategies for applying anthropological knowledge in future research and work environments

Content

• The module consists of three intensive workshops (each delivered during the course of a day) in which the students will be able to complement their research activities being undertaken in the MAnth programme with structured sessions on key employability issues and practical skills. They will also have the opportunity to discuss with staff, issues relating to the application of anthropological skills and knowledge in a variety of working environments, to the process of grant application and to the field of consultancy

Learning Outcomes

• An appreciation of the scope of application of contemporary anthropological knowledge and research
• An understanding of the social, political and economic rationale for the application of anthropological knowledge
• An ethical awareness of the uses to which anthropological knowledge might be put

• An understanding of how general anthropological knowledge as well as research project-specific knowledge might be applied in the world of work or futher research
• An ability to articulate anthropological skills to non-specialist as well as specialist audiences

• Preparing job applications and CVs
• Articulating ones personal development profile
• Undertaking searches for appropriate employment
• Preparing research for publication
• Communicating effectively to potential employers about the value of an anthropological skill set.

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

• Workshops: the principal mode of teaching in this module will be three workshops led by academic staff and guest speakers (particularly from the Careers Advisory Service). The workshops will focus on small-group intensive tuition and support in relation to professional development an employability and feature:
• Seminar discussion: these will cover practical skills such as CV writing, job searching, interview skills, giving presentations to prospective employers
• Presentations, by individuals will give students the opportunity to rehearse communicating the skills and knowledge they have to offer. These sessions will also encourage students to achieve, careful preparation, good delivery and proper evaluation and thereby increased confidence in public speaking.
• Supervision: discussion about the accumulation of an employment portfolio will take place in the fortnightly meetings with the research project supervisor
• Assessment: The main assessment for the module will take the form of a portfolio in which the student will assemble the following materials
• Evidence of a job search accompanied by an analytical commentary
• A covering letter for a hypothetical job application or research proposal
• A CV to accompany a hypothetical job application or research proposal
• Slides from a presentation to a hypothetical employer in respect of the above
• A 2000 word overview of the way in which subjective specific knowledge and key skills acquired in the course will be deployed in relation to a given field of employment seeking

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A preliminary job search with an analytical commentary - 1000 words

■ 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