Students
ANTH701 – Core Issues in Anthropological Theory I
2015 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Chris Houston
Contact via chris.houston@mq.edu.au
W6A 605
Tuesdays 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Payel Ray
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The core unit in the Master of Research specialisation in anthropology provides a grounding in theoretical, methodological and interpretive issues that are currently being debated by anthropologists. These issues will vary from year to year according to contemporary developments in anthropology and the interests of the course convenor. Others may be more enduring, such as the theoretical issues related to kinship, to politics and power and the relation between individual and society, the “writing culture” debate, “Orientalism” and the problem of the “other,” and cultural relativism.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Major Essay | 70% | Friday, July 26th. |
| Seminar Participation | 10% | July 26 |
| Minor Essay | 10% | 29 April |
| Literature review | 10% | 17May |
Major Essay
Due: Friday, July 26th.
Weighting: 70%
This essay counts for 100% of your grade and is required to be approximately 5,000 words in length. The essay should relate, compare and critically assess the work of two or more of the authors to the major themes of the unit – cultural creativity, agency (agents), and world-making. In your essay, critically focus on where the authors identify sources of creativity or change, and how the texts articulate society and the individual – or in what terms. This essay is due on Friday, July 26th. Two typed copies must be submitted on this date.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Seminar Participation
Due: July 26
Weighting: 10%
Over the duration of the seminar, each student will give one or two brief introductions to the week’s reading(s), drawing out its main themes and selecting a number of questions or puzzles for the seminar to discuss. These introductory remarks are intended merely to get the seminar rolling – students might wish to focus on something interesting, maddening or confusing about the reading for example.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Minor Essay
Due: 29 April
Weighting: 10%
Students will write a draft of their major essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Literature review
Due: 17May
Weighting: 10%
Students will write a small review of their thesis literature
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Delivery and Resources
Lecture/meeting: Thursday, 14-16, in Building W6A, Room 708
There will be a required list of reading and recommended resources that will be made
available in iLearn
The ANTH 701 Convenor in 2013 is Christopher Houston, Room 605. I am available on extension 8471 and the email address is chris.houston@mq.edu.au. Please contact me about problems of any nature that affects your studies this year.
Unit Schedule
ANTH 701 class seminars will run from the second week of the first semester (March 5th) until mid-June. The seminar will be devoted to a discussion of course readings, but we will consider essay and thesis research strategies as well. Students are expected to follow the set readings and to participate in discussion. Over the duration of the seminar, each student will give one or two brief introductions to the week’s reading(s), drawing out its main themes and selecting a number of questions or puzzles for the seminar to discuss. These introductory remarks are intended merely to get the seminar rolling – students might wish to focus on something interesting, maddening or confusing about the reading for example. The seminar is designed to provide a supportive environment in which students can assist each other in conceptualising their essay and thesis, and in planning their study.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE & CONTENT
Session One, Thursday March 5th
Reading: ‘Agent and Agency’; ‘Classification’ ‘Individuality’, ‘Interpretation’; in N. Rapport and J. Overing (2000) Social and Cultural Anthropology: The Key Concepts.
Session Two, Thursday March 12th
Reading: Bourdieu, P. (1962) The Algerians
Session Three, Thursday March 19th
Reading: Bourdieu, P. (2001) Masculine Domination
Session Four, Thursday March 26th
Reading: Bourdieu, P. (1972) Outline of a Theory of Practice, Chapters One and Two
Session Five, Thursday April 2nd
Reading: Bourdieu, P. (1972) Outline of a Theory of Practice, Chapters Three and Four.
Session Six, Thursday April 23rd
Reading: de Certeau, M. (1984) ‘Part Two: Theories of the Art of Practice’, in Practice of Everyday Life.
Alexander, G. (1995) ‘The Reality of Reduction: the Failed Synthesis of Pierre Bourdieu’ in Fin de Siecle Social Theory.
Reed-Danahay, D. (1995) ‘The Kabyle and the French: Occidentalism in Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice,’ in J. Carrier (ed) Occidentalism: Images of the West.
Dosse, F. (1997) ‘Durkheim gets a Second Wind: Pierre Bourdieu’ & ‘A Middle Path: The Habitus’, in History of Structuralism, Volume 2: The Sign Sets, 1967-Present.
Bourdieu, P. (2000) ‘Making the Economic Habitus: Algerian Workers Revisited’, in Ethnography
Session Seven, Thursday April 30th
Reading: Jackson, M. (1996) ‘Introduction’, in Things As They Are: New Directions in Phenomenological Anthropology.
Session Eight, Thursday May 7th
Jackson, M. (1998) ‘Preamble’, ‘Returns’ & ‘Here/Now’, in Minima Ethnographica: Intersubjectivity and the Anthropological Project.
Session Nine, Thursday May 14th
Reading
Jackson, M. (1996) Antipodes (Poems)
Session Ten, Thursday May 21st
Reading: Castoriadis, C. (1991) ‘Power, Politics and Autonomy’, in Philosophy, Politics, Autonomy.
(1997) ‘The Imaginary: Creation in the Social-Historical Domain’, in World in Fragments: Writings on Politics, Society, Pyschoanalysis and the Imagination.
Session Eleven, Thursday May 28th
Reading: Castoriadis, C. (1997) ‘Institution of Society and Religion’, in World in Fragments: Writings on Politics, Society, Pyschoanalysis and the Imagination.
Castoriadis, C. (1997) ‘Phusis and Autonomy’, in World in Fragments: Writings on Politics, Society, Pyschoanalysis and the Imagination.
Session Twelve, Thursday June 4th
Reading:Rapport, N. (1997) ‘Manifesto’ & Chapters One-Five, in Transcendent Individual: Towards a Literary and Liberal Anthropology.
Session Thirteen, Thursday June 11th
Reading: Rapport, N. (2001) ‘Random Mind: Towards an Appreciation of Openess in Individual, Society and Anthropology’, plus Replies and Response by Friedman, Gray, Kapfarer, Samuual, Sokefeld, Toren and Rapport, in Australian Journal of Anthropology, 12: 2.
Rapport, N. (2003) ‘Nihilistic and Democratic Violence’ in I am Dynamite: An Alternative Anthropology of Power .
See also Rapport, N. (2008) ‘Gratiotusness: Notes Towards an Anthropology of Interiority’, in The Australian Journal of Anthropology 19, 3.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Assessment tasks
- Major Essay
- Seminar Participation
- Minor Essay
- Literature review
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Assessment tasks
- Major Essay
- Seminar Participation
- Minor Essay
- Literature review
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Assessment tasks
- Major Essay
- Seminar Participation
- Minor Essay
- Literature review
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Assessment tasks
- Major Essay
- Seminar Participation
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students who have successfully done this unit will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in the field of social theory.
- Students will be able to utilize and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments.
- Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
- Students will be able to articulate clearly a coherent argument in written and oral form to a variety of audiences. Students will develop a high level of oral and written skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
- Students will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their ethnographic writing for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues.
Assessment tasks
- Major Essay
- Seminar Participation