What can anthropology contribute to Planetary Futures? And how might we retool anthropological inquiry for a f$&#ed up planet? This course’s unique structure cultivates personal pathways of discovery that empower students to seek individual answers grounded in anthropological scholarship to this question. 

Bridged by an introductory seminar, a mid-semester reflexive seminar, and an end-of-semester capstone analysis seminar, the course offers nine intensive workshops. Each workshop facilitates in-depth engagement with two readings; one critical historical one and one a path breaking contemporary one. Led by nine ANU anthropology faculty, respectively, these concentrated weekly discussions immerse students in nine individual approaches to the interconnections between the theory and history of anthropology on the one hand, and applications of anthropology to planetary futures on the other. By engaging in critical analysis, collaborative discussions, and independent research, students will develop advanced skills in ethnographic inquiry and theoretical exploration – foundational skills for the Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures. 

This introductory course to the Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures is intended for students who have a foundational knowledge of anthropology and have completed coursework in anthropological theory or a related field.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. evaluate diverse trajectories of the theory and history of anthropology and apply these to research design;
2. apply established and emerging approaches to anthropological research, writing, and advocacy to the problem-space of planetary futures;
3. interpret and critically engage with key anthropological texts; and
4. contribute to scholarly and professional conversations in anthropology.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will engage with our discipline's theories, histories, and futures. Students will learn how to read, evaluate, interpret and reflect about seminal and future-oriented anthropological readings.

Required Resources

as per Wattle site

Recommended Resources

as per Wattle site

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	Past - Future 1	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
3	Past - Future 2	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
4	Past - Future 3	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
5	Past - Future 4	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
6	Critical Reflections
7	Past - Future 5	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
8	Past - Future 6	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
9	Past - Future 7	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
10	Past - Future 8	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
11	Past - Future 9	Reading Prep, Seminar Contribution
12	Concluding Reflections	Essay

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Structured workshop preparation: READING PREP	50 %	*	3, 4
Weekly Participation and SEMINAR CONTRIBUTION	20 %	*	1,2,3
Research Essay	30 %	27/05/2024	2, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Structured workshop preparation: READING PREP

9 x 400 (min) words reading prep

due Wednesdays before 3 pm in Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. (DELETE MID-SEM REFLECTION WEEK)

The entries should comprise your reading preparation for BOTH of the required reading of the week. Make sure they are:

• headed by the correct respective references,
• address headings such as keywords (yours, not the given ones), argument, questions, cross-references (and others you find useful)
• not plagiarising, ie, if you quote from the text within your reading prep, cite properly (use quotation marks and reference the correct page number). 

Assessment Task 2

Weekly Participation and SEMINAR CONTRIBUTION

Self-assessment reflection: 100 words per week x 9 weeks (the weeks with required readings). Submit by Friday each respective week by 10 am only if you attended the seminar that week. Submission should take the form of a short and concise reflection about your participation that week. 

Assessment Task 3

Research Essay

This is a 'classic' academic style research essay (properly researched and referenced) of 2,500 words. 

Step 1: Pick a week with required readings that took your fancy,

Step 2: Read the reading by that week's lecturer and begin research into more of their writing

Step 3: Formulate an essay question (in consultation with Yasmine) that allows you to reflect about theories, histories, and futures of anthropology through analysis of your chosen lecturer's work.

due: Monday, 27 May, 9 am

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. OR Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students