Explanation and Understanding

Subject ANTH40004 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

non standard - truncated semester

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 3-hr seminars per week in weeks 1-2, and one 3-hr seminar per week in weeks 3-6.
Total Time Commitment: An average of 10 hours each week.
Prerequisites: Admission to 4th year Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Anthropology and/or Social Theory, or permission of the coordinator.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Knowledge gained in succesful completion of an undergraduate degree.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Tamara Kohn

Contact

Dr Tamara Kohn

tkohn@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject focuses on the skills entailed in qualitative research projects that seek to understand and explain social and cultural phenomena. It introduces students to various approaches to socio-cultural research and their ethical and methodological implications, particularly in cross-cultural contexts. Students will workshop specific projects, as well as examining a range of qualitative research methods. On completion of this subject students should have the ability to design an original research project of their own, justifying the methodological and ethical approach to be taken.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will:
  • understand the relationship between the aims, objectives, rationale and methodology of qualitative research projects
  • appreciate ethical implications of social research, and how these may be accommodated within research design
  • acquire awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural research and communication
  • have experience of different research methods and an appreciation of their differing potentials and limitations
Assessment: A 1500 word research proposal 30% (due in week 4), a 500 word report on ethical implications 10% (due in week 6), and a 3000 word written assignment 60% (due at end of the semester).
Prescribed Texts:

Set readings will be provided online through LMS
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • show initiative in self-directed research.
  • demonstrate an ability to critically analyse and evaluate research strategies.
  • be able to communicate the aims and anticipated outcomes of research intelligibly and economically.
Links to further information: http://www.pasi.unimelb.edu.au/anthropology/
Related Course(s): Master of Development Studies(CWT)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology
Anthropology and Social Theory
Asian Studies
Development Studies
Development Studies

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