UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Module Specification
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The title of the module:
The Anthropology of Gender (SE550)
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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Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and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)
Spring
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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 a Year
Abroad
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The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their
relationship to programme learning outcomes
Students completing this course should:
 have a degree of understanding of the development of the anthropology of gender and its
relationship to other fields of socio-cultural anthropology (such as kinship, economic
anthropology, historical anthropology)
 be aware of the wide range of cultural variation in cultural models and ideologies of gender
as reported in ethnography
 a degree of understanding of anthropological debates concerning gender inequality, the
relationship between gender and the body, and the ways in which the concept of ‘nature’ is
relevant to debates concerning gender.
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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 systems (library catalogues, on-line resources).
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A synopsis of the curriculum
This module focuses on gender issues. The study of gender in anthropology developed in
the 1970s, with the rise of the feminist movement in Europe and America. However, gender
studies came to reflect a bias evident in most feminist discourses: an interest in gender was
equated with an interest in women’s issues, and the anthropological theories at this time
replicated a bias similar to that of which male researchers had previously been accused. Not
until recently has the study of gender come to incorporate an examination of the discourse of
power, knowledge and social action generated through the interface between men and
women in society. The module proposes to trace the developments of the theoretical debate
in anthropology, while simultaneously providing ethnographic material illustrating the
theoretical perspectives and the cross-cultural variations in the definition of gender identities.
Concepts of sex and gender will be examined using anthropological material stemming from
the study of religion, ritual and politics
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Indicative Reading List
Moore H
di Leonardo M (ed)
Rosaldo M and Lamphere L (eds)
Ortner S and Whitehead H (eds)
Feminism and Anthropology
Gender at the Crossroads of Knowledge
Woman, Culture and Society
Sexual Meanings
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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, totaling 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. The coursework component comprises a book
review (15%), an essay (30%), and seminar participation (5%). The book review ensures
that students read at least one ethnography relevant to the anthropology of gender critically
and in its entirety, in order to see how anthropologists have applied theories of gender to
their investigations in the field. The essay represents an opportunity for students to develop
key writing and critical thinking skills. The written examination assesses the ability of
students to grasp and synthesise key concepts in the module.
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Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
All texts used by this module are already held in Templeman Library. Online materials for
the module will be placed on Moodle.
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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 nonjustifiable 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
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Print Name
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Date