Module FOUD0067: DISCOVERING ANTHROPOLOGY

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0067: DISCOVERING ANTHROPOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the scope and methods of anthropology.
• To introduce foundational concepts, theories and vocabulary essential for a critical understanding of anthropology.
• To encourage development of skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in preparation for further study in the social sciences.

Content

• Introduction to the four main sub-disciplines of anthropology; Biological, Archaeological, Linguistic and Social Anthropology.
• Humans as social entities.
• What is culture?
• What do anthropologists do? Fieldwork and interpretation.
• Research methods in anthropology.
• Conceptualising culture.
• Anthropological perspectives on the human life course.
• The global and the local.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• Understand the basic scope and content of anthropological enquiry.
• Demonstrate awareness of the different theoretical perspectives that anthropologists use to study the human condition.
• Appreciate the significance of cross-cultural comparison, with particular reference to key stages in the life course.

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• Understand and be able to use basic anthropological concepts and vocabulary.
• Discuss the methodological issues around ethnographic research and evaluate ethnographic data.

• By the end of the module students will:
• Be able to communicate effectively in writing.
• Be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills.

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

• Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed a written assignment.
• Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by an end of module test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Exercises and library research

■ 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