Module: Introduction to Anthropology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Anthropology
Module Code	SOC1007 (ITS: NS127)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	21020	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sabina Stan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	50%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:

Leacock, E.: 1992, Women's status in egalitarian society. Implications for social evolution, Current Anthropology, 33(1), 225-2,

Other Resources

None