| Unit name | Social Theories |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ARCH20057 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Trimmis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit aims to acquaint students with contemporary theories within anthropology and archaeology. Emphasis is placed upon the role of theory in these fields and the academic, political and social contexts within which various theoretical approaches have developed. The unit reviews the history of theoretical developments of anthropology and archaeology and provides the necessary analytical frameworks within which students can understand contemporary theoretical trends within these fields. The unit will provide students with the skills to effectively read, understand and assess current anthropological and archaeological literature on the basis of its theoretical stance.
Aims
At the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to
1) Discuss the broad philosophical and historical development of contemporary anthropological and archaeological theory.
2) Critically assess competing explanative frameworks and evaluate their strengths and weakness.
3) Evaluate critically and deconstruct anthropological and archaeological texts on the basis of their theoretical underpinnings.
4) Explain and evaluate anthropological and archaeological data from multiple theoretical standpoints.
5) Evaluate the relationship between theory and ethnography.
Weekly lectures, and bfive one-hour seminars, supported by self-directed activities. There will be a half day field trip (self guided) subject to University policy.
Essay 1 (2500 words, 50%). Assesses ILOs 2,3 & 5
Essay 2 (2500 words, 50%). Assesses ILOs 1,2 & 4
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ARCH20057).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
