ARCH10150 Anthropology: an introduction

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module provides an introduction to the discipline of anthropology - the study of humans and human diversity in the present and the past. Anthropology examines the diversity of human societies and cultures across space and time. Anthropology is an interdisciplinary subject, sometimes divided into ‘four fields’: cultural/social anthropology, physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. This module will provide students with an overview of anthropology, with an especial focus on cultural/social anthropology. We will examine how kinship, gift exchange and the household/home are understood in different societies and how they act to give shape to those 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.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

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

- Write an essay demonstrating awareness of key anthropological concepts
- Demonstrate knowledge of some key anthropological facts
- Demonstrate awareness of diversity of human cultures
- Understand key features in the discipline of anthropology

Indicative Module Content:

Below is an indicative outline structure for the module, though the specific contents may vary slightly year on year:

COURSE STRUCTURE
Wk 1: What is Anthropology? Key Concepts, Key Debates
Wk 2: Key themes: The story of human evolution
Wk 3: Key themes: The Body
Wk 4: Key themes: Identity, family & gender
Wk 5: Key themes: Food
Wk 6: Key themes: House & Home
Wk 7: Key themes: Exchange and Inequality
Wk 8: Key themes: Social organisation
Wk 9 :Key themes: World view
Wk 10: Key themes: Landscapes
Wk 11: Key themes: Hunter-gatherers
Wk 12: No class: Final assessments


Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Tutorial

6
Specified Learning Activities

56
Autonomous Student Learning

26
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- lectures supported by tutorials

- fortnightly on-line MCQs based on lecture content

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

- final assignment writing academic essay about this topic 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Final Essay - 2000 words Week 12 n/a Graded No

60
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Fortnightly online MCQ's (10 questions per test) Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Continuous Assessment: Book review. Comparing and contrasting what 3 of the core texts say about a selection of key anthropological concepts. Week 6 n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
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.

Core texts:
Eriksen T. (2015) Small Places, Large Issues. An introduction to social and cultural anthropology (4th edition). London, Pluto Books (available as a ebook through UCD library)
Ingold T. (2018) Anthropology: why it matters. Cambridge, Polity

Encyclopaedias…
UCD library has e-access to two very useful Encyclopaedias, which contain many reviews of different aspects of anthropology. Brightspace has links to the on-line versions. Be sure to reference the individual sections appropriately

Wright, J D. (Ed.) 2015 International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition), Oxford, Elsevier.
Darity, WA. (Ed.) 2008 International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2nd ed., Macmillan Reference USA

Supplementary reading:
There’s a lot of good introductory texts available. The two below are both good, and very different, introductions which I will be drawing on in the course. Hendry & Underdown is admirably short (almost too short!), and Callan et al is a synthesis of key texts.

Callan H., Street B., Underdown S. (eds) (2013) Introductory Readings in Anthropology. Oxford, Berghahn/Royal Anthropological Institute
Hendry J., Underdown S. (2012) Anthropology: A Beginner's Guide. London, Oneworld


Name Role
Dr Jess Beck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Joanna Bruck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Meriel McClatchie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Graeme Warren Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Nora Nic Aoidh Tutor
Grace Rinehart Tutor
Ms Averil White Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring