Module ANTH3657: Nutritional & Disease Ecology 10 credits

Department: Anthropology

ANTH3657: Nutritional & Disease Ecology 10 credits

Prerequisites

• ANTH2011 Ecology, Genomics & Health

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• ANTH3151 Nutritional & Disease Ecology (20 credits)

Aims

• To explore the social ecology and evolution of contemporary health problems across the developing and western worlds.

Content

• The course focuses on understanding the ecology of key health problems in Western and non-Western communities.
• Topics may include early growth retardation, killer diseases of children, intra-household food distribution and responses to food shortages, variation in adult reproductive ability, global and local health inequalities, the emergence of new infections, stress, cardiovascular disease, the rise of obesity, diabetes and allergies.

Learning Outcomes

• Factual material: Main theoretical approaches in nutritional and disease ecology.

• Ability to work in an inter-disciplinary way in the field of nutrition and health.
• Read specialist literature in international publications within the fields of medical, socio-cultural and biological anthropology.
• Understanding the theoretical perspectives of the ecological approach within biological anthropology.
• Debating key issues in human health.

• Demonstrate the ability to learn and critique material presented in lectures, but also to conduct independent research moving beyond this material.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately to feedback on an essay plan.
• Write an essay at an advanced level. This will involve identifying, evaluating and synthesising information from the primary research literature, and developing and sustaining a structured argument.
• Complete timed essays, synthesising material from different parts of the course, under timed (examination) conditions.
• Manage time effectively to work to deadlines.

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

• The formal components of the module use a range of teaching modes and methods, within an integrated framework to contribute to the intended learning outcomes as listed above.
• The module benefits from a balance between lectures and seminars, geared to the specific needs of the material.
• The lectures and seminars are carefully integrated.
• Audio-visual aids (video, sound, slides, powerpoint etc.) are used where appropriate.
• Lectures will cover topics relevant for providing students with an understanding of theories currently available for the study of nutritional and disease ecology.
• Lectures provide a traditional method of communicating not only fact but clear understandings of process and the relationship between issues.
• They are used for the primary delivery of material in nutritional and disease ecology because they allow clear transmission of information in an active learning environment where students can question and seek clarification.
• Lectures introduce students to issues, structure the subject matter and provide a grounding in principal issues so they can progress to further learning and study.
• Lectures provide the framework for analysis and relevant background, theoretical and/or historical information, and are used to assist in the assimilation of technically demanding or conceptually difficult material.
• Seminars provide an opportunity for students to discuss a series of topics and to make oral presentations.
• Difficult, sensitive and unresolved issues can all be approached successfully through discussion in seminars.
• Seminars imply a higher degree of student involvement and teach subject-specific and generic skills.
• Summative essays test skills of understanding, analysis, information collection and presentation.
• Summative assessment is a 3000 word essay
• Formative assessment is an essay plan.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative 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