UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Module Specification
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The title of the module:
Kinship (SE546)
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The School which will be responsible for management of the module:
Anthropology and Conservation
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The Start Date of the Module:
2000
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The cohort of students (onwards) to which the module will be applicable:
2008-09 entry
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The number of students expected to take the module:
50
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Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and
consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
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The level of the module (eg Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or
Postgraduate [M]):
H (FHEQ Level: 6)
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The number of credits which the module represents:
15
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Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern):
Autumn
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Prerequisite and co-requisite modules:
SE301: Introduction to Social Anthropology or the equivalent
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The programmes of study to which the module contributes:
BSc: Anthropology; BA: Social Anthropology; Joint Honours; with a Language; with Year
Abroad
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The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their
relationship to programme learning outcomes
The course is designed to introduce students to a key area of research in anthropology: the
study of kinship. Kinship was for many years the core of the discipline, the area in which
anthropology could claim absolute expertise, and the subject of the fiercest theoretical
debates. In the 1970s and 1980s the study of kinship became rather stultifying, and
remained of interest only to a few - kinship theory seemed for most anthropologists too
rigid, too algebraic, and too bound to structural-functionalists theories. In many ways, the
study of kinship in this period gave way to the study of gender, with feminist anthropologists
interested in many of the same areas of social life - birth, marriage, domestic life - but from
a rather different theoretical perspective. Towards the end of the 80s, however, there was
in increasing realisation that kinship was in fact central to much of the new work being done
in anthropology on personhood, gender, the body, sexuality and reproduction. There was
thus a renewal of interest in the area, although perspectives on what was important in
kinship had inevitably changed. This course covers the central issues that have historically
shaped the study of kinship, as well as looking at more recent work, and attempts to show
how there are clear continuities in issues of interest, as well as important theoretical
developments.
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Successful completion of the course would indicate that students had:
A degree of understanding of the main developments of kinship theory in anthropology
over this century.
A degree of familiarity with the specialist terminology of kinship descriptions and the
conventions of genealogical diagrams.
A degree of familiarity with the terminological and structural characteristics of the common
kinds of descent and alliance (matrilineal or cognatic descent, cross-cousin marriage etc.).
An understanding that kin links in different cultures may follow very different cultural logics
from our own and an ability to give examples of such alternative .
A level of ability to make connections between ethnographic and theoretical works in
kinship and parallel work in other areas of anthropology, particularly the anthropology of
gender.
An understanding of the connections in any particular context kinship and other areas of
social life, such as economics, politics and religion.
The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to
programme learning outcomes
The generic learning outcomes for this course are as follows:
Ability to locate relevant sources of data (using library holdings and electronic sources) for
particular assignments: essay writing, seminar presentation, note taking.
Ability to summarise, interpret, and present data in oral and written form (essays,
seminars).
Ability to communicate the results of research to others in written and oral form (essays,
seminars).
Ability to contribute constructively to group discussions (seminars).
Ability to relate ideas and material in one context (lectures) to material in another
(seminars).
Ability to follow closely written instructions relating to task specifications (module
handouts).
Among the areas of key skills development encouraged throughout the module are:
Critical reading.
Analytic thought.
Written and oral communication.
Use of electronic information’s systems (library catalogues, on-line resources).
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A synopsis of the curriculum
This module aims to provide an introduction to the study of kinship, a central part of
anthropological theory. It reviews the development of kinship theories from 19th century
social philosophy to post-modernist and feminist analyses of kinship, gender and the
construction of sameness and difference. Special attention will be given to the
ethnographic evidence underpinning the various theories
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Indicative Reading List
Carsten J (ed.)
Cultures of Relatedness
Holy L
Anthropological Perspectives on Kinship
Stone L
Kinship and Gender
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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 learning outcomes
Taught by lecture and seminar (1 hour of each per week, totalling 20 contact hours). Total
number of study hours expected = 10 per week (inclusive of lectures and seminars).
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Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
learning outcomes
50% written examination; 50% coursework
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Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space.
None
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A statement confirming that, as far as can be reasonably anticipated, the
curriculum, learning and teaching methods and forms of assessment do not present
any non-justifiable disadvantage to students with disabilities
Given appropriate support, no student with a disability should be at any disadvantage in
either learning or assessment for this module.
Statement by the Director of Learning and Teaching: "I confirm I have been consulted on the
above module proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of
module proposals"
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Director of Learning and Teaching
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Date
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Print Name
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the
module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its resourcing"
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Head of School
…………………………………………………….
Print Name
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Date