Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit traces the development of major concepts in anthropological and sociological theory from Enlightenment schemas of social evolution to the modernist framework of structuralism. Topics treated may include, among other themes, the notion of the 'primitive', unilinear and multilinear frameworks of societal evolution and their impacts, materialism and idealism in social theory, attitudes toward the position of women in different societies, the rise and demise of varieties of functionalism, debates over the definition of culture, the relationship of anthropology and history, cultural ecology and the reconsideration of Marxist models. Consideration of seminal sociological theorists, such as Marx, Durkheim and Weber, is complemented by examination of key figures in the development of anthropological traditions of enquiry, such as Morgan, Boas, Malinowski, Mead, Levi-Strauss and others. The development of social thought leads into ANTH3402 Contemporary Social Thought.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2024 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) knowledge: demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in anthropology and sociology including cultural diversity, social inequality, the nature of social relationships and institutions, systems of symbolic meaning, and processes that underpin social and cultural change; (2) knowledge: demonstrate knowledge of anthropology and sociology as academic disciplines; an understanding of fundamental ideas underlying all of the social sciences; an understanding of the outlines of the history of social thinking; (3) skill: demonstrate an ability to critically review, analyse, sumarize and synthesise anthropological and sociological research and theory; demonstrate an ability to contrst the approaches of different theorists on similar topics; and contextualize the formation of theories against the socal and political conditions in which they arose; (4) skill: demonstrate an ability to formulate, investigate and discuss anthropologically and sociologically informed research questions and develop arguments based on a critical evaluation of evidence through an examination of how major theorists have undertaken research; and (5) engagement: demonstrate an ability to communicate anthropological and sociological ideas, principles and knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of formats (written, oral, visual etc.).
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) assignments; and (3) in-class exercise. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Adam Keen
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion ofany 24 points of level 1 units from any disipline
- Incompatibility
- ANTH2214 Development of Social Thought
- Contact hours
- up to 3 hours per teaching week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.