AR1SOC: Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology

Module code: AR1SOC

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Alanna Cant, email: a.m.cant@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides you with 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 focused study on topics that may include: kinship and marriage, gender and sexuality, the roles of religion, ritual and witchcraft in social life, and contemporary hunting and gathering societies. The module will also consider how anthropology can help us understand current social issues in today’s world, such as those around ethnicity, race, and identity, and decolonisation. A central goal of the module is to encourage you to develop their own critical thinking about such issues. Teaching is focused on real-world case studies from different cultures and regions around the globe, including the research expertise of the lecturer(s). 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of more than one key anthropological theories, supported by one or more contemporary case studies;
2. Demonstrate an ability to apply anthropological theories and/or concepts to contemporary issues, in an appropriate, selective and informed way;
3. Assemble and synthesise anthropological theories, concepts and case studies in structured writing.

Module content

In this module you 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.  Through these case studies, you will encounter a wide range of topics ranging from family life to economic processes.  

Specific themes will vary but may include: kinship and marriage; gender and sexuality; the human body and the senses; religion and ritual; beliefs in witchcraft and the supernatural; contemporary hunting and gathering societies; ethnicity and race; and economic exchange. 

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, decolonisation, and identity. The module will also explore relevant connections between anthropology, archaeology and human geography, as well as themes in the social sciences and humanities more broadly.    

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is delivered over 13 weeks with eleven weeks of teaching, consisting of a lecture and a seminar each week. Learning is supported by independent reading, extra materials on Blackboard, and pre-lecture/ pre-seminar activities that may include screencasts, film clips, blogs, and/or online activities.

As a 20-credit module, AR1SOC should involve 200 hours of study time, including 23 contact hours of lectures, seminars, and an assessment drop-in session.

Study hours

At least 23 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• An opportunity to receive written feedback on one Reading Journal entry. 
• An essay Q&A drop in session. 
• Oral feedback will also be given during the lectures and seminars. 

Reassessment

Additional costs