UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School
Learning and Teaching Committee:
…………05/01/2015……….(date)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
SE588 Advanced Social Anthropology I: Power and Economy
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the
module
School of Anthropology and Conservation
3.
Start date of the module
October 2015 (AutumnTerm)
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
75-100
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and
consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
N/A
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or
Postgraduate [M])
Honours (FHEQ level: 6)
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
15 Credits (7.5 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
Pre-requisite for BA Social Anthropology: SE 301 Introduction to Social Anthropology
or the equivalent in Social Sciences or Humanities
Co-requisite for BA Social Anthropology programmes: SE586 Ethnographies 1
(Autumn term), SE587 Ethnographies 2 (Autumn term), SE589 Advanced Social
Anthropology II: Religion and Cosmological Imagination.
Pre-requisites for BSc Anthropology programme: SE301 Introduction to Social
Anthropology or the equivalent in Social Sciences or Humanities.
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10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
BA in Social Anthropology and BA in Social Anthropology with a Year Abroad; BSc in
Anthropology; BSc Anthropology with a year in Japan/year in Europe
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
As this module is taught within and managed by the School of Anthropology and
Conservation for both the BA programmes in Social Anthropology and the BSc
programme in Anthropology, the learning outcomes below are linked to both
programmes.
On successful completion of this module, students should:
11.1 Be conversant with the key disciplinary themes and trends of the anthropology
of power and economy
11.2 have acquired a critical understanding of the historical development of
anthropological debates and theories about power and economy
11.3 be knowledgeable about the theoretical contributions of the anthropology of
power and economy to the broader discipline of social anthropology
11.4 have cultivated a critical understanding of the global and historical diversity,
operation and experience of political and economic institutions
11.5 be able to apply anthropological insights to current transformations of political
and economic institutions
11.6 be able to construct coherent, logical written arguments based upon the
theoretical concepts and ethnographic data discussed in the module
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should have attained:
12.1
ability and confidence in analytic skills
12.2 ability to form an original, coherent argument based upon a reading of
secondary material
12.3
ability to address conceptual and empirical questions through group
discussion
12.4
ability to identify and use appropriate written academic sources in their work
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
The module is a cross-cultural analysis of economic and political institutions, and the ways in
which they transform over time. Throughout the term, we draw upon a range of ethnographic
research and social theory, to investigate the political and conceptual questions raised by
the study of power and economy.
The module engages with the development and key debates of political and economic
anthropology, and explores how people experience, and acquire power over social and
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economic resources. Students are asked to develop perspectives on the course material
that are theoretically informed and empirically grounded, and to apply them to the political
and economic questions of everyday life.
The module covers the following topics: the relationship between power and authority; key
concepts and theoretical debates in economic anthropology; sharing and egalitarianism; gift
exchange; sexual inequality; violence; the nation state; money; social class; work;
commodification; financialisation.
14. Indicative Reading List
The module is structured around a detailed and closely focussed reading list, comprised
each week of three ‘required’ and three ‘recommended’ readings in the form of journal
articles, edited volume chapters and selections from ethnographic monographs.
While the module does not refer to a text book, the following edited volumes provide an
indication of the types of contemporary and classic material covered by the course.
Appadurai, A. ed. (1986) The Social Life of Things: Commodities in Cultural
Perspective. Cambridge University Press
Carrier, J. ed. (2013) A Handbook of Economic Anthropology. Edward Elgar
Carrier, J and D. Kalb, eds (2015) Anthropologies of Class: Power, Practice and
Inequality. Cambridge University Press
Gupta, A and A. Sharma eds. (2005) The Anthropology of the State: A Reader. WileyBlackwell
Hart, K, J.L. Laville, and A.D. Cattani eds. (2010) The Human Economy. Polity Press
Humphrey, C and S. Hugh-Jones, eds. (1992) Barter, Exchange, and Value: An
Anthropological Approach. Cambridge University Press
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact
hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how
these relate to achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
The module is comprised of: 12 1-hour lectures + 12 1-hour seminars, i.e., 24 contact hours
For each seminar, students will be expected to devote 8 hours to independent study of the texts
detailed in the reading list, i.e. a total of 96 hours.
For completion of the assessed essay at the end of the autumn term, students will be expected
to devote 12 hours of independent study and writing.
For preparation for the final unseen examination in the summer term, students will be expected
to devote a further 18 hours of independent study.
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The total number of contact and study hours for students on the course will be 150 hours
The module thus combines structured lecture periods, semi-structured seminars, and scope for
individual exploration of the module’s subject matter, ensuring that achievement of the learning
outcomes is a collaborative product of the content and facilitation supplied by the lecturer and the
initiative of individual students.
Table of subject and generic learning outcomes supported by these methods:
Teaching & Learning Method
Subject Learning Outcomes
Generic Learning Outcomes
Lectures
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4
12.1, 12.2
Seminars
11.4, 11.5, 11.6,
12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4
Online resources (Moodle)
11.1, 11.2, 11.5
12.2
Independent study
11.1, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6,
12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the
intended module learning outcomes
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Assessment is by 50% coursework in the autumn term, and 50% unseen examination in the
summer term.
The coursework comprises: seminar participation (10%); one seminar presentation (10%); one
essay of 1,500 words (30%).
Table of subject and generic learning outcomes supported by these methods:
Assessment Method
Subject Learning Outcomes
Generic Learning Outcomes
Seminar Participation
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5
12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5
12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4
Aassessed throughout the term, and graded
by seminar leaders in the final teaching
week of the module. Participation is marked
out of 20, on the basis of the following
assessment criteria:
Attendance 0-12 (monitored by school over
12 sessions)
Frequency of contribution to seminar
discussion 1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average, 3=Good,
4=Excellent)
Quality of contribution to seminar discussion
1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average, 3=Good,
4=Excellent)
Seminar Presentation
Aassessed by seminar leaders. Marked out
of 20, on the following assessment criteria:
Delivery 1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average, 3=Good,
4=Excellent)
Structure 1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average, 3=Good,
4=Excellent)
Time keeping 1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average,
3=Good, 4=Excellent)
Use of sources 1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average,
3=Good, 4=Excellent)
Insight 1-4 (1=Poor, 2=Average, 3=Good,
4=Excellent)
Essay
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6 12.1, 12.2, 12.4
Final Exam
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6 12.1, 12.2, 12.4
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
N/A
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability
equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special
educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable
adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials,
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teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared
disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the
University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be
provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:
Canterbury
21. University School responsible for the programme:
School of Anthropology and Conservation
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