Anthropology
Difference and Diversity: Humans and Beyond
Module code: L6001
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay
On this module, you’ll explore how anthropologists understand human behaviour and cultural diversity.
You’ll examine questions such as:
- why, despite similar cognitive capacities, do we see such vast cultural variation?
- how is this diversity created?
- is it nature or culture that shapes human behaviour?
Using key writings, case studies and audiovisual material, you’ll examine central concepts, fieldwork methods and anthropology’s unique genre of writing (ethnography) to show how anthropology can answer these questions.
By the end of the module, you’ll understand anthropological theory, methodology and key issues from ethnographies.
You’ll also develop:
- analytical skills
- the ability to generalise from case studies
- the use of ethnographic evidence to support theoretical arguments.
Module learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the central concerns of anthropology
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the key concepts and their development within anthropological theory
- Demonstrate knowledge of ethnographic work and how this relates to anthropology as a whole
- Demonstrate an ability to mobilise ethnographic evidence in pursuit of a theoretical argument