Anthropology is the study of human cultures, in all their breadth, depth and range. This range of study positions anthropology as a very broad discipline but it is equally a specialist one: anthropologists seek to generate a disciplinary-specific knoweldge about human beings that goes beyond the taken for granted. A key practice of anthropology is ethnography. Ethnographic information is collected over long periods of time, among the people the anthropologist wants to study. On the basis of long-term and in-depth engagement, anthropologists are able to arrive at very specific cultural understandings of the world, which differ from conventional, assumed and even stereotypical or ethnocentric understandings. In the world we live in today, generating understandings of people that take account of the equal but different ways in which people live in the world is more crucial than ever. In this course, we will look at the distinctive ways in which anthropologists generate knowledge of human societies. Students will also have opportunity to learn how to apply anthropological understanding and ethnographic techniques in a hands-on way to their immediate circumstances: the culture of the University. In a supportive and exciting research-based teaching environment, students will become budding researchers in the culture they have just arrived in, and will take these new experiences for anthropological analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
To develop in students in and through lectures and reading: an appreciation of the extent of cultural variation and social difference in the modern world; an appreciation of the interpretive strengths of social anthropology in the study of contemporary cultures; a basic understanding of the major theories, debates and core practices of the discipline.
To develop in students in and through participation in ethnographic practice: a sense of the importance of extended residence in, and close acquaintance with, other cultures in order to understand them; an appreciation of the practical application of anthropological methods; a capacity to gather relevant information using ethnographic methods.
To develop in students in and through research workshops (dedicated tutorials) an appreciation of the relevance of specific anthropological theories to particular ethnographic information (gathered of the university).
To develop and hone in students in and through all levels of course participation: a research imagination and an enthusiasm for research; to welcome students into the research environment of the university as budding researchers.
Other Information
This course may be counted towards an Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Development Studies, Human Sciences, Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal) Studies or Population Studies major.
Indicative Assessment
Tutorial assignment (research workshop) (5%), tutorial attendance and participation (20%), ethnographic portfolio (35%) 1,500 word essay (40%).
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
2 hours of lectures and one hour of tutorial per week + 1-3 hours of study outside of contact hours per week.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
None is required, but students may choose to consult an introductory textbook of the discipline, such as Eriksen, T.H. Small Places, Large Issues: an Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology, 2nd ed., Pluto Press, 2001, or Scupin, Raymond 2000 ‘Introduction to Social Anthropology' in his Cultural Anthropology: A Global Perspective 4th ed., New Jersey: Prentice Hall pp 1-19. .
Contemporary texts (2000 onwards) will be used along with the following anthropological mainstays:
Geertz, C. 1975 ‘Thick Description: Towards an Interpretive Theory of Culture' in his The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays London: Hutchinson pp3-30
Anderson, Benedict 1986 ‘Introduction' in his The Imagined Community: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism London: Verso pp 15-21
Handelman, D. ‘Premises and Prepositions' in his Models and Mirrors: Towards an Anthropology of Public Events New York: Berghahn pp 3-21
Hendry, Joy 1999 ‘Introduction' in her An Introduction to Social Anthropology: Other People's Worlds London: Macmillan Press pp. 1-16.
Turner, V. 1967 ‘Chapter IV: Betwixt and Between: The Liminal Period in rites de passage' in his Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual Ithaca: Cornell UP pp 93-111
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $2856 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4080 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3614 | 20 Feb 2017 | 27 Feb 2017 | 31 Mar 2017 | 26 May 2017 | In Person | N/A |
