Social Anthropology 1B: The Practice of Social Anthropology (SA0104)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : SPS-1-SA1B

Focusing on the practice of Social Anthropology and the value of ethnographic work, this half-course demonstrates the importance of anthropological methods in understanding both connections within societies and connections between societies. Exploring a number of key ethnographies, it concentrates on the tension between the universal and the particular. It also examines some of the ways in which anthropological insight can have a variety of more direct applications (eg through advocacy, policy influence or development work). In this fashion, it draws out anthropology's relevance and value for the complex multicultural world in which we all live.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Attended Social Anthropology 1A.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : A quota of 350 students, with preference given in the following order: (1) First year students admitted to a degree including Social Anthropology (including BA Humanities & Soc Sci) and Visiting Students holding a written offer of a place; (2) First year students whose main subject is in SSPS, or whose main subject has a joint degree with Social Anthropology (including Religion and Combined Studies); (3) Students taking second-year SSPS half-courses; (4) First Year students taking BA Humanities & Social Science; (5) other first year students in CHSS.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Social Anthropology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 30 minutes per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 50 minutes per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
07/01/2008	16:10	17:00	Lecture Theatre A, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	16:10	17:00	Central
Lecture	Thursday	16:10	17:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : Plus one tutorial per week. There is also an occasional video session.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will gain a clear understanding of the rationale behind the ethnographic fieldwork and the way it contributes to the disctinctive character of Social Anthropology as a discipline. Having explored a number of different ethnographies, they will be familiar with the challenges anthropology presents. They will be aware of the complexity of social life in particular ethnographic contexts and be able to avoid ideological simplifications and prejudices. Above all, they will be in a position to appreciate the way in which anthropologists utilise their ethnographic material in accounting for social and cultural variation in the world and developing a theoretical perspective on culture and society - a perspective which can also have a variety of more practical applications.

Assessment Information

Students will be required to complete one assessed essay of around 1500-2000 words (40% of the overall mark) and a degree examination consisting of one 2-hour paper (60% of the overall mark).