AR1SOC-Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: double coded as GV1SOC
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Alanna Cant
Email: a.m.cant@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Thomas Grisaffi
Email: t.grisaffi@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides a general introduction to social anthropology, the study of human societies and cultures. It will introduce you to major themes in the discipline of anthropology through real-world case studies from different cultures and regions around the globe. Topics may include: gender and sexuality, the roles of religion, ritual and witchcraft in modern life, the concepts of ethnicity and race, and the place of hunter-gatherer societies in the contemporary period. The module will also consider how anthropology can help us understand key issues in today’s world, such as globalisation, economics, consumption, violence, and human rights. It is taught by a team of social anthropologists who draw on their own research and experience in their teaching.

Aims:

• To introduce you to anthropological theory and ethnographic texts.


• To examine different cultures and societies, including a range of political, economic, social, and religious systems found in different places.


• To familiarize you with a range of questions that anthropologists have investigated in societies around the world. focused on via their research in societies around the world.


• To examine a range of political, economic, family, and religious systems found among different peoples.


• To familiarize you with anthropological perspectives that can help you to understand contemporary global events, issues, and processes. To provide you with an understanding of the applicability of anthropological theories and concepts to contemporary global events, issues and processes.


• To explore connections between anthropology, geography and archaeology.


• To encourage you to think critically about what is variable and what is universal in human culture and society.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of one or more key anthropological theories, supported by one or more contemporary case studies;


• Demonstrate an ability to apply anthropological theories and/or concepts to contemporary issues, in an appropriate, selective and informed way;


• Assemble and synthesise anthropological theories, concepts and case studies in structured writing.

Additional outcomes:

By the end of this module, you will have greater confidence in your ability to apply your learning to a range of issues and current events, and you will have been introduced to some themes and issues that are relevant to related courses in human geography, archaeology and the social sciences and humanities more broadly. You will develop your abilities for critical reading and writing, as well as working with others in small groups.ÌýÌý

Outline content:

Students on this module will learn about social anthropology by engaging with research about different cultures and societies from around the world. The lectures, readings and assignments may focus on case studies from Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific, Asia, and Europe.Ìý Through these case studies, students will encounter a wide range of topics ranging from family life to economic processes.Ìý

Specific themes will vary but may includ e: kinship, gender and sexuality; the human body and the senses; religion and ritual; witchcraft; contemporary hunter-gather societies; exchange and economics; violence; ethnicity and race; and human rights.Ìý

A key emphasis of the module is how anthropological theories and perspectives can help us to understand contemporary issues in today’s world, such as modernity, globalisation, consumption, exchange and violence. The module will also explore relevant connection s between anthropology, archaeology and human geograp