The Human Cosmos

Subject ANTH30003 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 (1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week.)
Total Time Commitment: An average of 8.5 hours each week.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Knowledge gained in completing any one of the following subjects is recommended but not required.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have completed 121-056 or 671-349 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request 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/

Contact

Dr Monica Minnegal

mmam@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Erin Fitz-Henry

Subject Overview:

This subject is an introduction to the anthropological study of religion by an examination of myth and/or ritual, with ethnographic examples drawn mainly from Pacific Rim cultures. Students who complete this subject will have acquired a grounding in the anthropological and comparative study of myth and/or ritual; a knowledge of the varieties of religious practice; a knowledge of the principal theories and methods anthropologists employ in the study of religion; and a knowledge of the relationships between cosmology and society.
Objectives:

Students who sucessfully complete this subject will:

  • have acquired a grounding in the anthropological and comparative study of religion.
  • have acquired a knowledge of the principal theories and methods employed by anthropologists in the analysis of myth and ritual systems.
  • have a knowledge of the range of varieties of religious experience and representation in the world's societies.
Assessment:

An essay of 2500 words 60% (due at the start of the examination period) and three 500 word tutorial papers 40% (due the 3rd, 6th and 9th week of semester). This subject has a hurdle requirement of attendance at a minimum of 75% of tutorials. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:
  • A book of readings will be available from the University Book Shop and online through LMS prior to the start of semester.
  • Rappaport, R.A. Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity
  • 1 text TBA
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who sucessfully complete this subject will:

  • have practice in conducting research and speaking articulately.
  • have practice in writing clearly in a variety of formats and reading with attention to detail.
  • have experience of systematically evaluating a body of empirical data and identifying its theoretical context.
  • have experience of methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills.
  • have acquired awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural communication.
Links to further information: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/ads/
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology and Development
Anthropology and Development
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Related Breadth Track(s): Anthropology - ritual, meaning and performance

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