Students

ANTH700 – Applied Anthropology: Why Does Culture Matter?

2014 – S1 Evening

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Jakob Timmer
jaap.timmer@mq.edu.au
Contact via jaap.timmer@mq.edu.au
W6A, Room 603
Thursdays 2-4pm
Payel Ray
payel.ray@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Co-badged with ANTH800
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines the uses of culture in professional settings at various levels, from the management of urban communities and interpersonal conflicts to the international strategies of corporations and governments. The objective of this unit is to train students for situations in a variety of contexts in which decisions have to be made based on contested cultural claims.

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 applied anthropology. They will have acquired a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in the field of applied anthropology. They will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in anthropology, in particular in its applied aspects.
  • 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. 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.
  • Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • Students will be able to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence.
  • Students will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. 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, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Students 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. Students will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving. Students will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and/or scholarship. Students will have acquired the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
  • 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 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.
  • Students will be able to work in cooperation and collaboration with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for enhancement and improvement. In such situations they will be able to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Presentation 20% n/a
Short paper 20% n/a
Research paper 40% 4 June 2013
Participation 20% n/a

Presentation

Due: n/a
Weighting: 20%

Each student must lead the discussion on one question of her/his choice and actively and thoughtfully participate in the rest of the discussion (see below). This involves reading the required and optional texts for that class (as well as, where appropriate, recommended texts) with particular care, summarising them and raising points for general discussion. 
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 applied anthropology. They will have acquired a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in the field of applied anthropology. They will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in anthropology, in particular in its applied aspects.
  • 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. 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.
  • Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • Students will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. 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, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Students 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. Students will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving. Students will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and/or scholarship. Students will have acquired the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
  • 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 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.
  • Students will be able to work in cooperation and collaboration with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for enhancement and improvement. In such situations they will be able to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships.

Short paper

Due: n/a
Weighting: 20%

Discussion paper between 2,000 and 4,000 words, dealing with one of the discussion questions
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 applied anthropology. They will have acquired a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in the field of applied anthropology. They will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in anthropology, in particular in its applied aspects.
  • 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. 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.
  • Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • 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 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.
  • Students will be able to work in cooperation and collaboration with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for enhancement and improvement. In such situations they will be able to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships.

Research paper

Due: 4 June 2013
Weighting: 40%

Each student must write two a research paper between 2,500words long, dealing with one of the weekly issues. This paper must address the questions raised using the conceptual apparatus of anthropology. 
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 applied anthropology. They will have acquired a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in the field of applied anthropology. They will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in anthropology, in particular in its applied aspects.
  • 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. 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.
  • Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • 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 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.
  • Students will be able to work in cooperation and collaboration with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for enhancement and improvement. In such situations they will be able to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships.

Participation

Due: n/a
Weighting: 20%

Attendance at class is compulsory. Students who miss more than two classes will have to provide a convincing explanation, and will risk a lower mark or failing the unit if they do not.

 

Participation in class involves more than just showing up. Students are expected to be active participants in class and demonstrate that they have read and engaged with the readings at some level.

 

Participation also means contributing to a general atmosphere of scholarly enquiry, showing respect for the opinions of others. Thus talking too much and not allowing other students adequate time to contribute could count against you.
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 applied anthropology. They will have acquired a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in the field of applied anthropology. They will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in anthropology, in particular in its applied aspects.
  • 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. 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.
  • Students will be able to synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • Students will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. 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, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline.
  • Students 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. Students will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving. Students will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and/or scholarship. Students will have acquired the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
  • 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 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.
  • Students will be able to work in cooperation and collaboration with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for enhancement and improvement. In such situations they will be able to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships.

Delivery and Resources

Lecture/meeting: Tuesdays, 18-20, in Building W6A, Room 708

There will be a required list of reading and recommended resources that will be made

available in iLearn

Unit Schedule

 

Week

Date

Discussion topic

1

28 February

When culture is everywhere

2

6 March

Culture in international relations and conflict

3

13 March

Cultural explanations and violent conflicts

4

20 March

Culture in development and aid

5

27 March

Impact of the ‘cultural turn’ in development

6

3 April

The challenge of cultural diversity for nation-states

Semester break

7

24 April

Immigration and integration

8

1 May

Realms of contact: urban planning and education

9

8 May

Realms of contact: cultural rights vs individual freedoms in law

10

15 May

The age of ‘cultural competence’

11

22 May

‘Cultural competence’ in organizations

12

29 May

‘Cultural competence’ in product development and advertising

13

5 June

Discussion and evaluation

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/

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.