BA Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Regional Studies of Culture: 1

Course unit fact file
Unit code SOAN10331
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course is an introduction to the anthropology of two selected ethnographic regions. It comprises two consecutive sections, each consisting five lectures plus guided reading and dealing with a particular region. Regions change each academic year. In 2022-2023, the regions covered are Amazonia (Lowland South America) and Britain.

 

 

 

Pre/co-requisites

Restricted Course

Restricted Course

Aims

  • Students will gain an overview of the anthropological studies of each region from historical and contemporary perspectives.
  • Students will understand the key themes and theories that have shaped a regional study.
  • Students will learn to read ethnographic texts critically, and develop the skill of close reading and analysis of anthropological texts.
  • Students will be able to recognize the anthropological arguments developed from comparisons between different studies and different cultures, and why they matter in wider anthropology.
  • Students will develop skills in writing analytical and well-structured answers to essay questions.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, weekly tutorials

Assessment methods

  • 75% - One final 1500-word essay per block (block 1 essay due November; block 2 essay due in January);
     
  • 25% - 4 x 250 word writing task;

Feedback methods

 

Personalised feedback will be given on each of the essays.

Feedback will also be given on class participation

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Tutorials 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 170

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Chloe Nahum-Claudel Unit coordinator
Katherine Smith Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Information
Length of Course: 12 weeks over one semester


 

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