121-409 Philosophy and Scope of Anthropology

Formerly available as 136-022 or 121-072. Students who have completed 136-022 or 121-072 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in anthropology.

This subject aims to provide participants with an introduction to contemporary research concerns in social and cultural anthropology. Through the critical and comparative reading of anthropological texts, students should not only become familiar with current theoretical and methodological issues, but should also develop an understanding of how these concerns have developed historically in the discipline.

• have practice in conducting independent 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 advanced methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills;

• have acquired awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural communication.

Written work totalling 5000 words comprising two 2500 word essays worth 50% each (due at the end of semester).