Module Code and Title:        AFD101 Introduction to Anthropology     

Programme:                          BA in Anthropology

Credit:                                   12

Module Tutor:                       Dolma Choden Roder

General Objectives: This module introduces students to the basic principles of Anthropology, a discipline concerned with explaining the geographical and historical diversity of the human experience and culture. Using illustrative examples from a variety of different cultures, students will learn how to recognize and employ ethnography as the fundamental methodological tool that anthropologists use to describe, discuss and explain this diversity. The module will also explore common human experiences, behaviours and beliefs to stimulate an understanding and appreciation of the complexity of human cultural differences and similarities.

Learning Outcomes – On completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Define anthropology and explain what makes it distinct from other disciplines.
2. Discuss anthropology’s overall history and scope.
3. Identify and discuss the contributions of some of the most significant anthropologists who have shaped the discipline.
4. Differentiate key anthropological concepts.
5. Define the fundamental anthropological method of ethnography and its key features.
6. Discuss the relevance and value of the discipline of Anthropology to contemporary Bhutan.
7. Critically read and discuss scholarly writings in the field of Anthropology.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. In class exercises: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will undertake at least five in-class exercises either in pairs or individually. Students will be given the entire class period (50 min) in which to complete the exercises. Doing these activities in-class (rather than as overnight homework) will allow the tutor to provide immediate and meaningful feedback on the process and not just the final result. The marks of each exercises (each graded out of 15), will be averaged to compute the final mark for this assessment. In many cases, the tutors will use a worksheet to structure the assignment. An example of this kind of worksheet can be found in Appendix A. These in-class activities should include (but are not limited to):

• Answering questions based on readings. These questions should guide students towards writing clear and accurate summaries and identifying main arguments as well as how these arguments have been supported.
• Identifying ethnographic techniques and elements within anthropological writing.
• Preparing study guides for the exam. Students will be given time to study for the exam in class so that the tutor can supervises and provide immediate support and feedback. This exercise is intended to show students how to study for exams that are not completely based on recall but also invites them apply module concepts in novel and unanticipated contexts.

B. Class Test: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will undertake a class test twice during the semester; once before mid-term and once after mid-term (5% each). The written tests will be conducted within the class for duration of 40-50 min and cover 2-4 weeks of material.

C. Class Participation: Portion of Final Mark: 5%

Students will be expected to participate substantially in class discussions, with contributions reflecting adequate preparation for topics under discussion. 2.5% of class participation and preparedness will be assessed before midterm, and the remaining 2.5% post midterm.

D. Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Mark: 20%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5 hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester.

Pre-requisites: None

Subject Matter:

1. Unit I: Introduction to Anthropology
   • Introduction to Anthropology as a field of study including focus and approaches
   • The historical context of the field: origins, influences and key historical trends
   • Different anthropological traditions: American, British and Indian
   • The four field approach: cultural, archaeological, biological and linguist anthropology
2. Unit II: Culture
   • Definitions of culture
   • Key characteristics of culture
   • Ethnocentrism and cultural relativity: definitions, comparison and application
3. Unit III: Anthropology and Methods
   • Participant Observation and Ethnography: definitions, strengths and weakness
   • Overview of the history of ethnography (using the work of Malinowski and Mead as key exemplars)
   • Ethnography as a method: data collection and field work
   • Ethnography as a genre: types and examples of ethnographic writing
   • Ethical considerations and responsibilities (using the work of Scheper-Hughes as a case study)
4. Unit IV: Social Identity
   • Defining identity: types and approaches
   • Understanding the relationship of identity to culture
   • Key types of social identity studied by anthropologists
   • Challenges to identity: abnormalities, hybrids and liminalities
5. Unit V: Subsistence Patterns
   • Defining Subsistence Patterns: types and trends
   • Subsistence Patterns within human history
   • Comparing food foraging and food producing societies
   • Subsistence as environmental adaptation (using the work of Nelson as a case study)
   • Subsistence patterns in industrialized societies: changes and trends
6. Unit VI: Exchange and Economic systems
   • Reciprocity and gift-giving: definitions and types (using the work of Mauss)
   • Anthropological theories of production: definitions, key examples and applications
   • Methods and theories of distribution: definitions, key examples and applications
   • Explaining and defining consumption: definitions, key examples and applications
7. Unit VII: Cultural Change
   • Defining and describing cultural change
   • Mechanisms of cultural change: acculturation and cultural flows
   • Migration and cultural change : descriptions and key examples
   • Globalization and cultural change: descriptions and key examples
   • Modernization and cultural change: descriptions and key examples

Reading List:

1. Essential Reading
   • Ahearn, L. (2001). Juggling Roles: Daughter, Development Worker, Anthropologist. In Invitations to love: Literacy, love letters and social change in Nepal (pp. 27-44). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
   • Havilland, W.A., Prins, H. E. L., Walrath, D. & McBride, B. (2009). Cultural Anthropology. New Delhi: Cengage Learning.
   • Scheper-Hughes, N. (1989). The human strategy: death without weeping. Natural History Magazine, 98(10), 8-16.
   • Williams, W. L. (1986). The Berdache Tradition. In The spirit and the flesh: Sexual diversity in American Indian culture (pp. 201-230). Boston: Beacon Press.
2. Additional Reading
   • Malinowski, B. (1922). Argonauts of the Western Pacific: An account of the native enterprise and adventures in the archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea. London: Routledge.
   • Mead, M. (1975). Coming of age in Samoa: A psychological study of primitive youth for western civilization. New York: William Morrow & Company.
   • Nelson, R. (1993). Understanding Eskimo Science. Audubon, 95(5), 102-107.
   • Spradley, J. & McCurdy, D.W. (Eds.). (2011). Conformity and conflict. Readings in cultural anthropology. New York, NY: Pearson.

Date: March 15, 2018