Module ANTH1111: Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology

Department: Anthropology

ANTH1111: Being Human: An Introduction to the History and Practice of Anthropology

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the history and goals of anthropology.
• To introduce students to the major theoretical developments of anthropology.
• To engage students in enquiry based learning beyond the classroom through a field trip
• To engage students in technology enhanced learning.

Content

• History of the major developments in theory and practice in social and biological anthropology.
• Interpretation of human (pre)history and diversity in both anthropological and public contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to understand the broad history and development of Anthropology.
• Become familiar with the key ideas and theories that have underpinned anthropological practice.
• Learn about the public communication of anthropology and related disciplines
• Value the role of relevant critical literature.
• Gain fluency in subject specific terminology.

• Critically and comparatively analyse and evaluate anthropological material and approaches.
• Interpret museum and heritage learning resources from an anthropological perspective
• Gain experience of carrying out field-based research
• Apply subject related knowledge from the course to the evaluation of an anthropological issue
• Develop the ability to pursue independent research in anthropology and related fields.

• Communicate arguments and evidence through written and visual work. 
• Plan, organise and manage time to meet deadlines. 
• Show initiative to independently find resources on their chosen assessment topics. 
• Develop critical and argumentative faculties. 
• Support interpretations with relevant evidence.

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

• Classes will integrate lecture, tutorial and/or practical components, with the balance dictated by appropriateness to the topic in question.
• Lecture elements will provide students with an outline of key knowledge and debates in the topic area, discuss the literature that students should explore, and provide relevant examples and cases studies.
• Tutorial elements will develop topics introduced in lectures and/or required reading to analyse aspects or case studies in greater depth and to prepare students for their summative assignment.
• The field trip will provide students with “hands on” experience of doing research outside the classroom and give them the opportunity to engage with ways of representing and understanding past and present human societies through objects, physical spaces and other media besides academic texts.
• Practical components will provide students with hands-on experience of the topic.
• Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references in advance of tutorials and general and particular reading related to the summative assessment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1. a 500 word essay plan plus an outline plan of powerpoint presentation giving the key points. 2. 1000 word draft 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