Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ANTH40L15: Sex, Reproduction and Health (Advanced)

Department: Anthropology

ANTH40L15: Sex, Reproduction and Health (Advanced)

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide advanced evolutionary perspectives on human sex and reproduction and associated health concerns.

Content

  • The content will provide students with advanced knowledge of topics such as evolutionary and cross-species explanations for the origins of sexual reproduction, the evolutionary biology of human sexual behaviour, ecological factors affecting fertility, gestation and foetal development, evolution of human birth, evolutionary perspectives on parental care and on infanticide and infant mortality.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • How evolutionary perspectives advance understanding of human sexuality and reproduction.
  • How evolutionary perspectives can inform our understanding of health concerns associated with reproduction and infant care.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Demonstrate advanced ability to gather and evaluate relevant information and write coherently about the distinctiveness of an evolutionary approach to sex, reproduction and health.
  • Critically evaluate the contribution of an evolutionary perspective on sex, reproduction and their relationship to health to contemporary understandings, particularly in the biomedical sphere.
Key Skills:
  • Advanced skills in researching relevant literature and constructing an academic essay.
  • Plan, organise and manage time and work to predetermined deadlines.

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

  • Lectures and seminars: subject knowledge will be delivered via lecture, and seminars will be used to provide a forum for discussion and development of critical thinking.
  • Summative assessment is by one 3000-word written essay.
  • Formative assessment is a 500-word outline and draft of the summative assignment

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly 1 hour 10
Seminars 3 Spread across term 1 hour 3
Preparation and Reading 137
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 3000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Written feedback on one formative assignment. Verbal feedback in seminars.


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