Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
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Cultural (or social) anthropology is concerned with the study of the variety of the world's societies and cultures - their structures, histories, beliefs and practices, their similarities and their differences, the significance of human biology and evolution for explaining behaviour, and, increasingly nowadays, with their complex interaction.
Fieldwork, often referred to as 'participant observation', is the anthropologist's principal method. This involves a prolonged and intimate contact with the community studied, and requires a reasonable competence in whatever language is spoken in the region. During fieldwork (which lasts at least a year and often longer) the anthropologist lives with the people she or he is studying and attempts to enter into their way of life. Anthropologists thus attempt to come to know the reality of another culture as it is experienced by those who are its members. Their task is to convey through their ethnographic writings, and to make comprehensible through their analyses, the meaning of that other way of life, and to explain both the broad similarities and the sometimes striking difference in human beliefs and behaviours.
Graduates with a degree in Anthropology will develop an appreciation of the richness and complexity of the societies and cultures that make up our world, and the analytical skills to make sense of them. Some graduates may pursue careers as professional anthropologists, either within an academic institution, or employed in government or non-government bodies concerned, for example, with overseas aid and development. Other graduates will continually draw on their anthropological studies as teachers, writers, journalists, administrators, and within the increasing array of professions and positions in both government and private enterprise that require an understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences.
Students from all faculties may (and do) enrol in Anthropology subjects with the approval of their Faculty. Most Anthropology subjects are available to students who have no previous backgrounds in this area of study.
Anthropology offers two single-semester subjects at first-year level. The normal prerequisite for entry to second or third-year level Anthropology subjects is completion of at least one, and preferably both, of these first-year subjects (12.5 points).
A major in Anthropology requires the completion of a minimum of five second or third-year level semester subjects (a total of 83.3 points). Most Anthropology subjects are offered at both second- and third-year levels. Students should note that no subject passed at second-year may be taken at third-year level. The Anthropology Handbook (available from the Anthropology Office, Room 243 Old Arts) provides further details about Anthropology subjects.
All students wishing to enter the Pure or Combined degree course in Anthropology must seek the advice of the head of Anthropology in planning their major.
Students proceeding to fourth-year honours must have met all the requirements for a major in Anthropology with an average of H2A or better (in exceptional circumstances, an average of H2B may be accepted) and have completed all the requirements for the BA pass degree. In the case of combined honours, students must have completed a major in each area of study and met the requirements for entry to honours in both areas of study.
Pure Honours: students are required to complete 1) four fourth-year single-semester subjects, each worth 16.7 points, and 2) 136-471 Anthropology Honours Research Project worth 33.3 points.
Combined Honours: students are required to complete two fourth-year Anthropology single-semester subjects. Students who are undertaking their thesis in Anthropology also enrol in 136-477 Anthropology Honours Research Project.
THE FOLLOWING 2ND AND 3RD YEAR SUBJECTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN 1996, HOWEVER, THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE OVER 1997 OR 1998.
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Arts
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.