Introduction to Cultural
Anthropology
Overview and Expectations
Who Am I?
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1. Dr Sian Jay : call me Dr Sian
2. Anthropologist with special focus on Indonesia
3. My other research and teaching areas:
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Architecture
Art
Design
4. Writing and Publishing:
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Focus on Indonesian material and social culture
The Course
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1. Focus will be on current social and cultural issues:
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2. Topics that will impact on your lives:
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Poverty
Aid
Institutional Violence etc.
The world you will have to navigate
3.You will learn HOW to think about important issues,
not WHAT to think.
Expectations
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1. Watch the videos posted every Sunday evening and
Thursday evening.
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2. Log into Tuesday and Thursday Zoom sessions on time
(see next slide)
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Try to watch these before your zoom class.
Those running the discussion must ensure they have read the
assigned text and are prepared.
3. Make sure you read the texts uploaded every week.
4. Make sure you go through the appendix at the end of
the syllabus that has already been posted.
Split Class
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1. Because the class is so large I am splitting you into two
groups:
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Group A will attend the Tuesday class either at 12.00 pm (LO2)
or 3.30 pm (LO1).
Group B will attend the Thursday class either at 12.00 pm
(LO2) or 3.30 pm (LO1)
Your groups have been posted on the UBLearns along with this
video and PDF of the slides.
Discussion Groups
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1. Tuesday and Thursday Discussion Groups will comprise
4/5 individuals depending on class size:
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The names of those conducting discussion will be posted along
with the readings on the previous Thursday evening.
Connect with others in the group and discuss beforehand
I will provide the UB emails of the group members so that you
can get in touch with each other.
2. Students not in presenting group kindly mute, but
listen.
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You may join in but must make your wish to comment known
by raising your hand
Group Presentations
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1. All topics for presentation must relate to the topics on
the syllabus.
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All topics must first be approved by me.
You will need to submit your topics and a list of group
members to me by Thursday morning week 4 (22nd Feb)
3. You may choose your own team to present.
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A list of team members and topic must be sent to me via. email
by week 4 (22nd Feb)
3. Anyone not in a group must let me know as soon as
possible (by end week 3)
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I will then assign you to a group which still has low numbers.
Presentation Schedule
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1. All slides for the presentations must be submitted to
me by one group member in PDF format by Monday 7th
March.
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2.You have 5 minutes each to make your point.
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This ensures that those presenting during the Tuesday session are not at
a disadvantage to those presenting on Thursday.
I shall decide the presentation order by drawing lots.
Make sure you are prepared and know what you wish to say
3. I will post an outline of how the grades for
presentations will be allocated nearer the time.
Presentation Grading Criteria
(20% final grade)
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Group Mark [10]
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This mark will be allocated depending on the group dynamic – do you all work
together to create a coherent narrative; is it evident that everyone has
contributed equally. This mark will be given to everyone.
Individual Marks [10]
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Research: have you demonstrated you have researched and understood the
points you make? Are they relevant and do they support the overall argument?
[5]
Presentation: do you explain yourself clearly and coherently? [3]
Slides: have you used slides that illustrate and support your points? [2]
Continual Quiz Assessment (40% final
mark)
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1. These will be held at the end of the sessions of week 4,
7, 10 and 13:
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It will test you to see if you have understood the course so far
NOTE: the Tuesday and Thursday sessions will have slightly
different questions.
2. They will require 2 – 3 short sentence answers:
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I shall pose 5 questions live.
You will have 20 mins to respond, and must upload the answers
to UBLearns at the end of the class.
Case Study/Report (20% final mark)
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1. This will be conducted in Week 14 (5th May):
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Five issues/ case statements will be uploaded.
You will choose 1 (one) to research and write up.
Full instructions and guide will be provided nearer the time.
2. The class sessions are assigned for you to conduct the
research:
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You will then write up your findings in your own time and
upload your final paper (500 – 800 words) to UBLearns.
Participation/Attendance (20% final
mark)
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1. Make sure you attend all zoom sessions and participate
in the discussion whether you are running the session or
not.
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Allow those running the session to make their points.
Join in by questioning, observing, comparing and contesting.