Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ANT1009: Theories and Approaches in Anthropology

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to provide you with a foundation for anthropological analysis, to provide a theoretical structure and to introduce conceptual tools. It aims to give you the tools needed to approach critically a broad range of social and cultural phenomena, by asking different types of questions, such as: in whose interest is it, is there a group benefiting from this arrangement/ argument / representation? What is the perspective of the actors involved?

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 Skills1. demonstrate critical knowledge and reflection upon the development of anthropological theory and approaches;
2. show familiarity with a range of theoretical approaches and how they relate to each other and to other disciplines.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. show a developing capacity to recognise, describe and evaluate anthropological theory and its integral relation to fieldwork contexts, practices and data;
4. demonstrate familiarity with a variety of anthropological and related literature.
Personal and Key Skills5. devise and sustain an original argument based on close interpretation of texts;
6. communicate effectively in written and verbal form.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Weekly reading response papers on the essential readings 150 words/week1-6Oral (in class); additional feedback provided on request in the office hours
Participation in tasks in the tutorialsWeekly1,2,5,6Oral (in class)

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio of 9 reading response papers (150 words each) with an introduction (500 words)401850 words1-6Written (further oral feedback available on request in the office hours)
Essay601800 words1-6Written (further oral feedback available on request in the office hours)
0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Portfolio of reading response papersEssay (1850 words)1-6August/September re-assessment period
EssayEssay (1800 words)1-6August/September re-assessment period