COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
COURSE COMPACT
ALPHA SEMESTER 2014/2015 SESSION
School: Human Resource Development
Department: Sociology
Course code and Title: SOC 112: Introduction to Anthropology
Course Lecturer: Dr. Iruonagbe Tunde Charles
Office No. A201E
Office Ext.
2508
Brief Overview of Course
An examination of anthropology as a scientific field of study and its relationship with other academic disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Political Science, Medicine,
Geology, Geography, etc. Various fields of anthropology will be examined and they include cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, social anthropology, and archaeology. Basic anthropological theories like Evolutionism, Diffusionism and Structural Functionalism are examined to give a framework for the study of anthropology.
Course Objectives/Goals
1.
To help arouse the interest and curiosity of students to the study of anthropology; its usefulness to overall development of society including its method of investigation.
2.
To give students an understanding of the world around them in terms of the past, present and future of humanity.
3.
To help students understand what culture entails as the way of life of people across societies including their similarities and differences.
4.
To familiarise students with the basic social organizations in the society, their relevance and changes that have occurred over time.
Method of Lecture Delivery/Teaching Aids:
Prepared Lecture Notes will be uploaded on the Covenant University Portal. Key points will be analysed by the lecturer in class after which students are expected to respond through questions asked and contributions made. The class therefore will be an interactive one between the lecturer and the students. Such teaching aids as multi media and over head projectors will also be used. This is because it makes teaching faster while what is being taught is easily comprehended.
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Course Outline (Modules and Details of Topics)
Week 1: Brief Overview of Course, Course Objectives, Course Outline, Tutorials, Test,
Assignment, Examination and Ground Rules.
MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING ANTHROPOLOGY AS A CONCEPT
Week 2: What is anthropology?
-Historical Development of Anthropology
Week 3: Anthropology as a scientific field of study
MODULE 2: ANTHROPOLOGY AND OTHER DISCIPLINES
Week 4: Relationship between Anthropology and other academic disciplines.
Week 5: Sub-fields of Anthropology
MODULE: 3 BASIC ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORIES AND METHODS
Week 6: Theory of Evolutionism
Week 7: Theories of Diffusionism and Structural-Functionaliism
MODULE 4: THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE
Week 8: What is Culture?
Functions and Characteristics of Culture
Week 9: African Culture and its features
Week 10: Differentiation in Society
Relationship between Society and Culture
MODULE 5: SOCIAL STRUCTURES IN AFRICAN SOCIETIES
Week 11: Marriage and Family Structure
Traditional Economic Structure
Week 12: Traditional Political Systems
Week 13: Traditional Social Control Systems
Religion and Belief Systems
WEEKS 14: Revision and Examination Preparation
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Structure of the Programme/Method of Grading:
This course will be assessed in 3 stages. The First stage will involve Class Test and Assignment which constitute 15 marks. The Second stage will involve the Mid-Semester Examination which will also constitute 15 marks. The Last stage will involve the Alpha Semester Examination which will constitute 70 marks. Examination questions will be set on modules presented in the course outline and taught by the lecturer.
Class Behaviour:
Students must be punctual in class as attendance is compulsory. If for any reason this cannot be observed by a student, the Lecturer must be communicated. The dress code of the University must be respected by students, and must be in possession of their University Identity Cards without which they will not be allowed into the lecture room. Students must participate in all class activities as lectures will be interactive. In addition, students must ensure that they come to class with the required writing materials.
Topic for Term Paper/Assignment/Students Activities
Describe clearly your understanding of Anthropology as a scientific discipline and the methods it utilizes in the study of people and their cultures.
Alignment with Covenant University Vision/Goals
In line with the ideals of Covenant University which involves raising a new generation of leaders that will globally change the world, while focusing on the total man concept, this course is indeed very apt and relevant. It is an all encompassing science of man as it studies the totality of man, from his past to the present and to the future.
Contemporary Issues/Industry Relevance
As a discipline, an understanding of anthropology will help to arouse the curiosity of students regarding the level of development in Nigeria, with emphasis on the historical antecedents of the past, areas requiring urgent and needed attention and how to develop as a people so as to guarantee a suitable future for the people. This is because development can only be meaningful if it impacts positively on the living conditions of the mass of the people.
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Recommended Reading
1.
An introduction to Social Anthropology. By E. A. Oke (2004) Macmillan
2.
The Social Anthropology of Africa: An Introduction. By Angulu Onwuejeogwu
(1978) Heinemann, London.
3.
The Social Structure of Contemporary African Societies. Edited by Moses Shoremi &
Adewale Oyekunle (2002) Kraft Books Limited.
4.
Anthropology and Africa: Changing Perspectives on a changing scene. By Sally Falk
Moore (1994) The University of Virginia Press.
5.
An Introduction to Sociological Studies. Onigu Otite & W. Ogionwo (2006).
Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria)
6.
Beals, R.L & Hoijer, H. An Introduction to Anthropology. (1971) New York
MacMillan
7.
Audah, B. (1988) African Anthropology. Ibadan Channel Inlands: Shaneson Limited.
8.
An Introduction to Social Anthropology. By Lucy Mair. (1982). Oxford University
Press.
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