Module ANTH3797: Anthropology of Physical Activity and Health

Department: Anthropology

ANTH3797: Anthropology of Physical Activity and Health

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To explore the potential for anthropology to contribute to research on physical activity and health
• To explore the potential for anthropological approaches and methods to contribute to the evaluation and implementation of public health measures to promote physical activity and health
• To apply skills acquired in both biological and social anthropology
• To engage with recent and ongoing research applying anthropology to the study of physical activity and health

Content

• Understanding how physical activities affect health and wellbeing
• Understanding the place of physical activities in everyday lives
• Critical examination of approaches to the promotion of physical activity and of healthy ‘behaviours’ more generally
• Exploration of the contribution of anthropological approaches and methods to the evaluation of public health interventions targeting physical activity

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced levels of current knowledge and intensive understanding in the anthropology of physical activity
• Be competent in accessing and assimilating specialised research literature of an advanced nature.
• In depth knowledge of anthropological contributions to the study of physical activity and health, with emphasis on interpretation and comprehensive understanding of primary research.

• Applying key skills (see below) to discourses and debates pertaining to medical, public and anthropological discourses surrounding health and physical activity

• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments in written form.
• Critical analysis of literature and data
• Self-reflection on knowledge and skills acquired and developed
• Accessing library resources
• Undertaking independent study and research
• Preparation and effective communication of interpretations and arguments in written form

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

• Lectures and seminars may consist of pre-recorded videos, live lecture presentations, research seminars, student seminars including break-out discussions or other activities as appropriate to the material covered week to week.
• Pre-recorded videos and live lecture presentation 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.
• Research seminars will take the form of typical academic seminars and will give students an opportunity to hear first-hand about ongoing or recent research in the area and to interact with researchers
• Student seminars will develop topics introduced in lectures and required reading to analyse aspects or case studies in greater depth and to prepare students for their summative assignment.
• Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references in advance of tutorials and general and particular reading related to the assessment, which will be a written assignment (such as an essay or report).
• Summative assessment will consist of a 2,500 word research proposal

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

500 word project proposal.