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ARCH10150

Academic Year 2026/2027

Anthropology: an introduction (ARCH10150)

Subject:
Archaeology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Archaeology
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Jess Beck
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce you to the discipline of anthropology—the study of what it means to be human. Anthropology examines the diversity of human societies across space and time. Anthropology is an interdisciplinary subject that is often divided into ‘four fields’: cultural or social anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. This module provides an overview of anthropology, with a particular focus on biological and cultural anthropology. We will investigate the early history of anthropology and its reliance on ethnographic fieldwork, charting both the trajectory of human evolution and the parameters of the human body. Over the course of the module, we will examine how key facets of human existence such as kinship, ritual and symbolism, gift exchange, and the home are understood in different societies. We will explore different ways of understanding the world and how to make comparisons between these and ask what it means to think anthropologically. A representative list of topics covered from past versions of the module looks something like this:

Week 1: What is anthropology?
Week 2: The story of human evolution
Week 3: Ethnography
Week 4: The body
Week 5: Inequality
Week 6: Exchange
Week 7: Kinship
Week 8: Hunter-gatherers
Week 9: Anthropology of food
Week 10: Anthropology of ritual

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, you will be able to:

Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of human cultures
Understand the history of the discipline of anthropology and its relevance in and for the world today
Explain how anthropology gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to be human
Communicate your awareness of key anthropological concepts

No Generative AI content is allowed in the final submission for assessments in this module.

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1: What is anthropology? Key concepts, key debates
Week 2: The story of human evolution
Week 3: The body
Week 4: Inequality
Week 5: Exchange
Week 6: Social organization
Week 7: Hunter-gatherers
Week 8: Ritual and symbolism
Week 9: Relationships and identity
Week 10: House and home

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

56

Autonomous Student Learning

29

Lectures

10

Tutorial

5

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- Lectures supported by tutorials

- Online MCQs based on lecture content

- Initial assessment reviewing what different core texts say about one key anthropological concept

- Final exam

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Additional Information:
Archaeology PhD students (DRHSC001 Z117, DRHSC001 Z118) may audit this module only.


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Short assignment (750 words). Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
No
Exam (Open Book): Candidates may bring notes covering both sides of a single sheet of A4 paper into the exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Three fortnightly online MCQ's (10 questions per test). Week 3, Week 6, Week 9 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will benefit from immediate feedback on the MCQs, providing a baseline for their performance Students will receive individual feedback on the first assignment. This will include clarification of the level of understanding of the key concept chosen, which will feed into final assessment. Final assessment feedback will focus on the construction of a formal university essay.

Name Role
Professor Joanna Bruck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ryan Lash Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Graeme Warren Lecturer / Co-Lecturer