Keeping the Body in Mind

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Level 1 Anthropology or Development Studies

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 introduces a wide range of anthropological interests in the human body from a comparative ethnographic perspective. It considers topics such as body image and eating disorders, gendered bodies, body modifications and decorations, consciousness and the body/mind continuum, commodified bodies, disabled bodies and body healing. We will investigate how the human body is individually and culturally constructed and socially experienced through a critical examination of a range of ethnographic and theoretical literature, as well as through exploratory field research.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Appreciate how a critical comparative perspective and a tradition of ethnographic enquiry can inform developments in theories of the body.

• Articulate an understanding of a range of debates on the relations between bodies, minds, and the social, cultural and physical environments in which they circulate.

• Be able to communicate effectively in a variety of written and oral formats.

• Work reflexively and independently to appreciate the huge diversity of bodies in the world as well as a large (and sometimes challenging) range of beliefs, ideas and experiences people have with bodies and their parts.

• A 1500 word report (40%) due during the semester.
• A 2500 word essay (60%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.

Additional readings will be provided online through LMS.

Optional purchase of recommended texts from the University Bookshop - details will be provided in the subject guide at the beginnng of semester.

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.