Module: Introduction to Anthropology

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Introduction to Anthropology
Module Code	NS127 (ITS) / SOC1007 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	Sabina Stan
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

The module introduces students to basic concepts and theories in anthropology, with a view of fostering their ‘ethnographic imagination’ and their critical take on the present challenges faced by human societies. It critically explores topics under the rubrics of culture, language, kinship and family, race and ethnicity, gender, economy and subsistence, power and politics, religion and ritual, and globalisation. By drawing on studies of the day-to-day experience of people in both western and non-western societies, the module provides students with a fresh and stimulating perspective on the way in which human behaviour and thought are grounded in larger social and cultural processes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand basic concepts and theories in anthropology
2. Document the variety of social patterns in different areas of social life (language, kinship & family, ethnic & gender relations, economy, politics, religion & ritual, globalisation)
3. Document the social & cultural contexts of real-life experiences & patterns of social life
4. Understand the manners in which social and cultural contexts inform changes in real-life experiences and patterns of social life
5. Foster your ‘ethnographic imagination’ by critically applying anthropological concepts and theories to real-life experiences and patterns of social life

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Culture

Language

Kinship

Race and ethnicity

Gender differences

Economy and inequality

Politics and order

Religion, magic and ritual

Globalisation

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	n/a	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Lavenda, Robert and Emily A. Schultz: 2020, Core Concepts in Cultural Anthropology, McGraw-Hill Higher Education,
Spradley, James and David W. McCurdy: 2002, Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology., Pearson Education,
Kottak, C. Ph.: 2009, Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Boston,

Other Resources

None