| Unit name | History and Theory in Anthropology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ANTHM0004 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Shankland |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit allows students to familiarise themselves with key theoretical trends and major areas of scholarship in social anthropology. The format used is that of debates around issues and between scholars. These include 'classic' debates that are still of relevance to current scholarship, topics that raise methodological concerns and more timely and controversial issues.
- To introduce students to key debates and scholarly trends in social andcultural anthropology. - To encourage students to engage critically with theoretical and methodological issues. - To encourage sensitivity to the ways in which texts are constructed.
opinion in a scholarly manner. - They should be aware of connections between scholarship and wider social practices (i.e. the politics and economics, as well as personal aspects, of research and writing).
Ten 2-hour weekly lectures and fortnightly reading group
There is one essay of 5,000 words. This should be on the topic of one of the debates, or an alternative title can be arranged if desired with the course tutors on a similar appropriate theme.
Firth, R. (ed.) 1957 Man and Culture: an evaluation of the work of Bronislaw Malinowski London: Routledge.
Gellner, E. 1995 Anthropology and Politics: revolution in the sacred grove, Oxford: Blackwells.
Goody, J. 1995 The Expansive Moment: the rise of social anthropology in Britain and Africa, 1918-1970, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Jarvie, I. 1967 The Revolution in Anthropology, London: Routledge.
Kuper, A. 1996 Anthropology and Anthropologists, London: Routledge (many editions).
