Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ANT2103: Senses and Society

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to introduce the relationship between the senses and lived social worlds, and to explore the how the different senses shape and are shaped social practices and cultural differences. It will discuss central topics and issues, different research agendas and theoretical orientations. With the use of specific and historically diverse examples, the module will examine key issues of current social life and how the perspective of sensory practices offers a novel understanding of the social and society.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate your knowledge of different approaches to the study of sensory practices 2. Analyse and evaluate key issues in the field of sensory practices in relation to specific themes, studies and findings
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. Select relevant material and structure it in order to present coherent arguments 4. Display in written and oral form an understanding of the disciplines relation to, and difference from, other approaches and explanations offered towards the senses and society
Personal and Key Skills	5. Undertake independent study and group work 6. Prepare focused and comprehensive written and oral presentations

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Senses and Society
• Sensory Practices and Human Experience
• Hegemony of Vision in Modern Societies
• Non-visual Practices
• Senses and Material Culture
• Sensory Diversity
• Senses and Social Inequality
• Senses and Social Exclusion

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching	22	11 x 2-hour lectures, involving presentations, group discussion, film presentations and media analysis. Please note that the last two sessions where the students present their essay projects will be held via skype (4 Hours)
Guided independent study	18	Preparing seminar-presentation individually and as a group
Guided independent study	80	Reading for assignments
Guided independent study	30	Essay preparation: conducting research, analysing data, and writing the finished product

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web based and electronic resources:

Course materials (including lecture slides and tutorial topics/questions) will be provided on ELE prior to each lecture/tutorial.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

Classen, C. (1993) Worlds of Sense: Exploring the Senses in History and Across Cultures. Routledge

Howes, D. (2004) Empire of the Senses: The Sensual Culture Reader. Berg

Howes, D. (2013) Ways of Sensing: Understanding the Senses in Society. Routledge

Vannini, P. et al. (eds) (2013) The Senses in Self, Society and Culture. Routledge
Schillmeier, M. (2012) Rethinking Disability. Bodies, Senses and Things. London: Routledge