ANT4001 Advanced Contemporary Anthropological Theory

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
ANT 4001 75462 1, 2008 ONC Advanced Contemporary Anthropological Theory 1.00 Toowoomba

Academic group: FOART
Academic org: FOA003
Student contribution band: 1
ASCED code: 090303


Contents



STAFFING

Examiner: Bryce Barker
Moderator: Lara Lamb



REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: BAHN



RATIONALE

Although students majoring in anthropology are exposed to anthropological theory as it relates to the social sciences generally throughout their undergraduate degree, it is considered that a more intensive and anthropologically specific, in-depth grounding in theory is necessary at the Honours level, with a particular focus on recent theoretical directions and developments.




SYNOPSIS

This course aims to provide a more detailed and in-depty survey of the major anthropological theoretical approaches of the later 20th century onward. Building on the major historical themes of theory development in anthropology as outlined in ANT3001, this course will provide an understanding of the more recent development of theory in the discipline including, feminism, neo-Marxism, critical theory, post-structuralism and post-modernism. Students will use the assessment in this course to develop the theoretical basis for their particular Honours topic.




OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.
Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of contemporary theoretical approaches in Anthropology;
2.
Understand the practical application of theoretical perspectives to research questions;
3.
Have developed and applied an appropriate theoretical perspective to their particular topic.



TOPICS


Description Weighting (%)
1. Structure and System
5.00
2. Methods and Objects
5.00
3. Biology and Ontology
10.00
4. Meanings as Objects of Study
10.00
5. Language and Method
10.00
6. Thinking and Believing
5.00
7. Bodies of Knowledge
5.00
8. Coherence and Contingency
10.00
9. Universalism and Domain Terms
5.00
10. Perspectives and their Logics
5.00
11. Objectivity, Morality and Truth
10.00
12. The Anthropology of Western Modes of Thought
10.00
13. Globalisation and the Changing Meaning of Culture
10.00


TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Moore, Henrietta L 2005, Anthropology in theory: issues in epsitomology, Blackwell, Cambridge.




REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Johnson, MJ 1999, Archaeological theory: an introduction, Blackwell Publications, Oxford.

McGee, JR & Warms, RL 2003, Anthropological theory: an introductory history, McGraw-Hill, Boston.

Moore, JD 1997, Visions of culture: anthropological theories and theorists, Altimira Press, Walnut Creek, CA.

Preucel, RW & Hodder, I (eds) 1996, Contemporary archaeology in theory: a reader, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford.




STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY HOURS
Lectures or Seminars 26.00
Private Study 139.00



ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date Notes
ESSAY 1 100.00 40.00 19 Apr 2008 (see note 1)
SEMINAR PRESENTATION (30 MINS) 100.00 20.00 24 May 2008 (see note 2)
ESSAY 2 100.00 40.00 06 Jun 2008 (see note 3)
NOTES
1.
Essay 1: Applying Theory (2500 words). This assessment is aligned with all course Objectives.
2.
This assessment is aligned with all course Objectives.
3.
Essay 2: Theoretical Critiques (2500 words). This assessment is aligned with all course Objectives.


IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 2 hour lecture per week.
  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
  6. Examination information:
    There is no exam for this course.
  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
  8. University Regulations:
    Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9. (a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must lodge the assignment at the USQ. (b) All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Centre on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. (c) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (d). Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (e) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.