Module ANTH4148: Ethnography and Theory in Social Anthropology

Department: Anthropology

ANTH4148: Ethnography and Theory in Social Anthropology

Prerequisites

• Either ANTH2041 Kinship OR ANTH2051 Political & Economic Organisation OR ANTH2091 Culture & Classifications. 2015/16 ONLY ANTH 2041 Kinship and Belief Systems OR ANTH 2051 Political & Economic Organisation or HUSS 2191 Cultures & Classifications

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Cannot be taken with ANTH4158 Theory in Medical Anthropology.

Aims

• To explore some of the recent developments in the theory of socio-cultural and medical anthropology
• To enable students to assay critically current theoretical debates in socio-cultural and medical 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
• To explore the practical, epistemic and methodological aspects of ethnography as the distinctive method of socio-cultural anthropology
• To understand the workings of ethnographic writing and ethnographic argument through detailed engagement with four book-length monographs
• To enable students to develop the specific critical and theoretical skills required to unpack others' (and construct their own) ethnographic accounts

Content

• Selected current issues in the theory of socio-cultural and medical anthropology
• Advanced-level ethnographic methods and their relationship to theory. Topics covered will vary from year to year but may include: the relationship of explanatory theories to ethnographic research: learning and interpreting evryday life; non-participant observation; film and visual anthropology; participation, power and collaborative ethnography; reflexivity in ethnographic research; ethical issues in ethnographic research; and writing ethnography
• Close reading and discussion of some (usually 3-4) full length- ethnographic texts. One of the most distinctive aspects of anthropology as a discipline is the way in which theoretical arguments are articulated through detailed, in-depth ethnographic accounts of particular places. In an intellectual environment increasingly marked by fragmentation of arguments into article-length 'hits', the book-length ethnographic monograph may seem a strange and unwieldy format, but it makes space for a distinctive type of theoretical argument to emerge at a very different pace. Mastering the ethnographic monograph is thus key to understanding what is anthropological about anthropological theory.

Learning Outcomes

• In-depth knowledge of selected current issues in the theory of socio-cultural and medical anthropology
• In depth knowledge of the history of symbolic, interpretive, phenomenological and critical perspectives and how these approaches have been employed in a range of cultural settings.
• An understanding of how anthropological fieldwork is influenced by the researcher's theoretical orientation
• Have an advanced knowledge of some key ethnographic texts in recent anthropology.
• Have an advanced knowledge of key theoretical issues and debates relating to anthropological enquiry.
• Understand and critically evaluate the relevance of ethnography as a mode of anthropological research
• Ability to apply theoretical insights to ethnographic texts and contexts.

• 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
• An ability to read and critically evaluate book-length ethnographic arguments.
• Competency to conduct in-depth and theoretically informed analysis of a particular issue in relation to detailed ethnographic material.
• Engage anthropological arguments in relation to ethnographic methodology, ethics and epistemology.

• 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
• Prepare and present scholarly work for seminars and assessment.
• Independent and critical reading of ethnographies.
• Ability to integrate and apply new knowledge and skills in professional practice.

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

• Introductory lectures in theory will be tailored to accommodate the differential knowledge and disciplinary skills of different cohorts and to make sure that students approach subsequent seminars with an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding. The primary subject of each seminar will be introduced by the tutor in order to give an overview of key theoretical approaches in social anthropology. In these sessions students are encouraged to explore the lecture content in greater detail and to identify areas in which they require particular guidance, for example on further reading.
• Seminars enable students to develop their abilities to conduct research, to communicate, to present theoretical alternatives and data, and to develop their own argumentation skills. Class discussion encourages background reading, contributing to the students’ independent learning. It further allows students the opportunity to exchange ideas, to explore issues and arguments that interest or concern them in greater depth, and to receive feedback from both the group and the tutor on their own arguments and understanding. Students will prepare by reading the material suggested on the course outline, which they will discuss during seminars. Seminar discussions will provide an opportunity to evaluate critically and assess a range of approaches from contemporary and classical theory and how these are used in the making of ethnographic texts.
• Students will prepare individual and group presentations engaging with current debates and research and will gain practice in presenting relevant materials to others and in learning collaboratively. Furthermore they will engage in preliminary research on a theoretical topic and an extended review of an ethnographic text which will form the basis of their formative assessments.
• Summative assessment consists of: 1. an essay of 3,000 words (theory). The essay topic will be chosen specifically to encourage students to compare and contrast different theoretical approaches deployed in anthropological research 2. An essay of 3,000 words (ethnography) developing an in depth analysis of a substantive monograph. Summative assessment by essay formally tests the skills developed throughout the course. The essays will test the ability to plan a substantial piece of work, identifying and retrieving sources and selecting and displaying appropriate subject specific knowledge and understanding. They further test the ability to develop an extended discussion which utilises concepts and examines competing interpretation and analysis. They also develop key skills in sustaining effective written communication and information presentation to high scholarly standards. They enable students to demonstrate that they have sufficient subject knowledge to meet the assessment criteria, that they have achieved the subject skills and that they have acquired the module’s key skills. In particular, summative essays test the acquisition of knowledge through independent learning and the ability to apply it in critical argument in relation to a specific question. They furthermore help students to develop time management skills by working to a deadline, as well as the ability to seek out and critically use relevant data sources. Formative plans / mini essays support the summative work.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formatives: 1000 word plan for theory essay, feedback on Seminar presentations, 1000-word written piece (either an essay plan OR a mini-essay ) to prepare for the summative ethnography essay.

■ 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