This course introduces students to key concepts and debates in the discipline of anthropology, ranging from ritual, totems, kinship, and personhood to the nature/culture distinction and postcolonial critique. The course takes a multi-modal approach, familiarising students with some of the discipline's classic texts, films and sites of ethnographic engagement. We’ll seek to understand these foundational works within their historical contexts, as well as critically reappraising their position in 21st century anthropology.
ANTH1003 aims to help students develop their skills around reading challenging scholarly texts, writing anthropological essays, and undertaking independent research. The course emphasises active student engagement in all aspects of our classwork and makes extensive use of group work to encourage peer learning and fun social interaction within the weekly workshops.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- explain and critique key concepts in anthropology, and deploy them to produce novel analyses in oral and written form;
- read and comprehend challenging anthropological texts independently;
- comprehend anthropology multi-modally;
- produce well-researched, logically structured and critical anthropological essays; and
- co-operate with fellow students and promote effective peer learning, mutual respect, and ability to use diversity within the team as a resource.
Indicative Assessment
- Self-assessment of class participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Reading prep (15) [LO 2]
- Quiz (30) [LO 2,3]
- Academic Skills session on how to write the ANTH1003 essay (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Essay 1500 words (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of workshops over 12 weeks;
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8451 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
