Engaging the World in Theory & Practice

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

None.

None.

ANTH10001 or DEVT10001 or an Arts IDF subject.

None.

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/

This subject considers the mutually enforcing role of socio-cultural theory and ethnography in understandings of the contemporary human endeavour. Through an introduction to key social theorists and critical readings from selected core monographs and articles, the subject explores how socio-cultural theory both shapes and is shaped by ethnographic research. Particular emphasis is placed on both classic and modern theories of personhood, social identity and relatedness in social anthropology and their relevance for understanding a range of contemporary social issues relating to kinship, migration, tourism, nationalism, modernity, ageing and life course, new genetics and web technologies. On completion students taking this course should have gained an appreciation of anthropological approaches to the study of the person and their relevance to a range of political, ethical, economic and cultural concerns about fetal rights, corporations, child soldiers and global internet usage, as examples, in societies across the world today.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Develop a critical awareness of the contemporary relevance and application of both classic and modern theories in social anthropology;
• Appreciate how a comparative perspective and a tradition of empirical enquiry can inform developments in theory;
• Engage with theories located in specific times and places and apply them to a range of ethnographic case studies located in national and transnational social spaces;
• Gain an appreciation of the links that exist between anthropological approaches to the study of the person and their relevance to a range of political, ethical, economic and cultural concerns in the world today.

Two research essays of 2000 words (50% each), one due mid-semester and the other due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. 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.

A reading pack will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
• Develop persuasive and critical arguments on given topics that reflect an awareness of the interplay between theory and practice.