ANT2004 Anthropology of Power and Conflict

ANT	2004	91283	2, 2009	EXT	Anthropology of Power and Conflict	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

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

Staffing
Requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Bryce Barker
Moderator: Lara Lamb

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Any two of the following Courses: ANT1000 or ANT1001 or ANT2000

SYNOPSIS

One of the characteristics of humans, which they share with at least some species of higher primates as well as with a number of other social species is that individuals respond to frustration, or the constraint of their desires with fear or anger. This may generate conflict and competition and may escalate to dominance behaviour and threats of violence, or in response to these from other, submissive behaviour. This means that some individuals may use power, on their own, or their groups, behalf, to control the behaviour of others, as they attempt to get their own way. All social groups evolve behaviours and 'strategies', which may be used to constrain, direct and deflect the power and force of individuals. This is necessary to minimize demands and threats of violence or other coercion, which if unrestrained would threaten the cohesion and solidarity of the group. This is important because of the dependence, cooperation and support required from the members of a group of social animals such as humans if they are to survive. Culture provides members of human groups with the means to identify and manipulate the uses and abuses of power and control in their own communities. People also obtain from their culture the motivations, values, and beliefs with which they may make sense of such things. They also obtain the knowledge of strategies and alternative options with which power may be addressed. We commonly refer to the study of power and control in human societies as "politics". As anthropologists we study political behaviour and political systems, considering in details their forms and expressions as aspects of the diversity of human cultures. We investigate power and control phenomena as they are found across the social scale from individuals through larger groups to the global system. Because power and control are closely associated with coercion and violence, anthropologists study these as part of the repertoire of human "political" responses.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate:

1.: a knowledge and understanding of relevant concepts, theories and evidence;
2.: an ability to understand and critically evaluate relevant professional literature/publications;
3.: an ability to carry out anthropological research/scholarship on relevant topics, and to report both orally and in writing in an effective way, combining theories, evidence and 'real world' experience.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Evolutionary Perspectives and Human Nature 1.1. Evolution, Behaviour and Culture 1.2. Primates and the Evolution of Behaviour 1.3. Human Nature	33.00
2.	Two Faces of Humanity, Altruism and Aggression 2.1. Altruism and Aggression 2.2. Power and Social Order 2.3. Interpersonal Violence	33.00
3.	Organised Conflict and Warfare 3.1. Evolution and the Origins of Warfare 3.2. Ethnic Conflict 3.3. Warfare	34.00

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).

Kropotkin, P 1987, Mutual aid: a factor of evolution, Porter Sargent Pub, Boston.

Schmookler, AB 1994, The parable of the tribes: the problem of power in human evolution, 2nd edn, State University of New York Press, Storybrook.

Wrangham, R & Peterson, D 1996, Demonic males: apes and the origins of human violence, Bloomsbury, London.

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.

Refer to Intro Book/Study Guide

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Examinations	2.00
Private Study	160.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
ESSAY 1 (1500 WORDS)	15.00	15.00	14 Aug 2009	(see note 1)
ESSAY 2 (1500 WORDS)	15.00	15.00	11 Sep 2009	(see note 2)
ESSAY 3 (2500 WORDS)	40.00	40.00	23 Oct 2009	(see note 3)
2 HOUR EXAMINATION	30.00	30.00	END S2	(see note 4)

NOTES

1.: This assessment is aligned with all Objectives
2.: This assessment is aligned with all Objectives
3.: This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.
4.: This exam is restricted and is 10 short Essay Questions of 2 hours duration

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this external course. However, it is the students' responsibility 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Examination information:
The exam for this course is a RESTRICTED examination, and the only materials that candidates may use are writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination.) Students whose first language is not English may take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
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/SECARIAT/calendar/Part5/ or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements. (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).

10.

Students will require access to email and have internet access to UConnect for this course.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.