ANT3005 Thinking Anthropologically: Theoretical Positions in Anthropology

ANT	3005	91285	2, 2009	ONC	Thinking Anthropologically: Theoretical Positions in Anthropology	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
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Assessment details
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Bryce Barker
Moderator: Lara Lamb

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: ANT1000 or ANT1001

OTHER REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: ANT1000 or ANT1001 and ANT2006 or ANT2007

RATIONALE

Several major theoretical trends emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries that dominated anthropological thought and ethnographic practice. One of the key questions that theoretical positions in anthropology have continually addressed concerns the tension between structure and agency: is the social world best understood in and through a focus on the kinds of structures that organize social life, or is individual purposive behaviour - lived experience - a more compelling focus from which to undertake social analysis? Current theoretical positions in the discipline continue to deal with the duality of structure and agency. Understanding the history of the debates about structure and agency and their current form means that students will emerge from the course with a comprehensive understanding of the shape of the discipline, and will become familiar with the kinds of theoretical tools that emerge from, and are available for, application to the raw data of human social life. It is strongly recommended that students intending to enrol in Honours in Anthropology complete this course.

SYNOPSIS

This course is designed to give undergraduate students a comprehensive theoretical base in anthropology, and a sense of the ways in which the current tools of the discipline can be suited to and applied to particular kinds of ethnographic material. The course also provides intending Honours students with the necessary grounding in anthropological theory.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.: demonstrate an appreication of current debates in the discipline;
2.: demonstrate foundaational knowledge of teh theoretical shape of the discipline, and its contemporary directions;
3.: demonstrate a capacity to critically assess a variety of theoretical positions;
4.: show an emergent capacity to state the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of theoretical positions;
5.: demonstrate and utilise a background in relevant theoretical literature;
6.: demonstrate and use the following graduate attributes: essay writing skills; discussion skills gained from participation in tutorial/online situations;critical response skills gained from tutorial/online participation; skills in critical reading and theoretically informed writing within set parameters.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Theoretical Overview	25.00
2.	Agency	25.00
3.	Structure	25.00
4.	Applications and Critiques	25.00

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).

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.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
ESSAY 1 (1000-1500 WORDS)	100.00	20.00	21 Aug 2009	(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT	100.00	20.00	11 Sep 2009	(see note 2)
ESSAY 2 (1500-2000 WORDS)	100.00	40.00	23 Oct 2009	(see note 3)
ONLINE PARTICIPATION	100.00	20.00	01 Nov 2009	(see note 4)

NOTES

1.: Essay 1 - review of a theoretical position essay. this assessment is aligned with all Objectives
2.: Assignment - Reading Notes Portfolio. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives
3.: Essay 2 - critique of a theoretical position essay. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.
4.: Tutorial participation is defined as ongoing attendance, active participation in discussions about tutorial readings, and active participation in tutorial activities. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.