SA1901 An Introduction to Anthropology

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Only available to those enrolling on the MA Combined Studies or already enrolled on the MA/BSc General degree taken in the evening.

Planned timetable

Wed 6.30 - 9.30 pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr K L Lane

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Karen Lane

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module aims to introduce evening degree students to the subject of Social Anthropology. It combines an examination of some of the core theoretical debates of the discipline with close reading and analysis of some classic ethnographic texts. Students will learn about anthropological modes of thinking through case studies of particular cultures and societies around the world. They will also be introduced to the anthropological method of research and to some of the historical conditions for the subject's emergence and development over time. By the end of the module students will have a keen sense of what anthropologists do, how they look at the world and what terms of analysis they utilise. They will also have a strong sense of the plurality of cultures in the world and the limits of many aspects of their own society or culture. Anthropologists stress the importance of understanding other ways of life. It is this increased understanding of a shared planet that is the invaluable gift that anthropology has to offer.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

2 x 2,000-word Essays = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2.5 hour session: lectures and seminars.

Scheduled learning hours

27

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

173

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.