Module ANTH3631: CURRENT ISSUES IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY FOR RETURNING ERASMUS STUDENTS

Department: Anthropology

ANTH3631: CURRENT ISSUES IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY FOR RETURNING ERASMUS STUDENTS

Prerequisites

• Evolution, Variation and Adaptation (ANTH 2061) or Methods and Analysis (ANTH 2031). For 2014-15 only Methods & Analysis I (HUSS2101) and Methods and Analysis II: Research Project (HUSS2111) or Evolutionary Anthropology (ANTH2061) or Methods and Explanations (ANTH2031) or Human Ecology (HUSS2291) or Molecules and Morphology (HUSS2331) or Our Place in Nature (HUSS2321)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Current Issues in Medical Anthropology for Returning Erasmus Students.

Aims

• To provide students with an introduction to issues of contemporary research concern in biological anthropology.

Content

• In the first part of the module students who are away from the University on the Erasmus programme will be provided with a series of readings and self-study tasks to complete independently, and they will communicate with the module tutor on-line (via DUO and email) to practice skills required to review, and critically evaluate research papers and projects in this discipline.
• A dedicated tutorial upon their return from the Erasmus exchange programme will consolidate this learning.
• In the second part of the module lectures focussing on the up-to-the minute research of individual members of staff and some guest lectures will provide students with a rare opportunity to learn about the topics that their tutors have chosen to study and to appreciate and assess the relationship of this research to wider anthropological endeavour.
• Class work will focus on recent literature pertaining to the theme of each lecture.
• In all instances the emphasis will be on the critical assessment of the ideas presented and students will be encouraged to draw on earlier coursework to inform their discussion.

Learning Outcomes

• Familiarity with the scope of biological anthropology and its relationship to the other sub-fields of anthropology.
• Awareness and understanding of the paradigms used by biological anthropologists when conducting research.
• Knowledge and understanding of the current research being undertaken by biological anthropologists at the University.
• Familiarity with recent publications in peer-reviewed journal of biological anthropology, and understanding of debates or disputes with the literature.

• Ability to engage in discussion and debate regarding research issues in biological anthropology.
• Familiarity with journals publishing primary research in biological anthropology.
• Capacity to identify appropriate material in scientific journals, making use of the electronic databases etc. to track the history of a topic or debate through the literature.

• Summarise or precis primary research papers, verbally and in writing.
• Argue for a particular position using appropriate research-evidence to build argument.
• Conduct longitudinal reviews of literature and track developing ideas/debates.
• Develop ability to engage in knowledgeable discussion with researchers and develop pertinent questions regarding research.

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

• Seminar sessions will be used to present new papers or recent research in biological anthropology, and to discuss and debate the implications of the research and how it was conducted.
• Tutorial sessions will be used to teach and practice skills in reading, reviewing and critically analysing published research in biological anthropology.
• Formative tutorial write-ups will allow students the opportunity to practice their skills in the above.
• The Summative exam and critique will assess students' ability to apply their skills and knowledge gained throughout the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A 1000-word summary and critical evaluation of one seminar topic from Michaelmas term. It should be fully referenced and, where appropriate, should incorporate comments and questions raised by class-mates during the seminar.

■ 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