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 considers epistemology in the social sciences or, simply, how we know what we know in the social sciences in general. It considers theories of knowledge. As such, epistemological questions are central in the social sciences, especially when evaluating differences among various schools of thought. Our traversal of this terrain considers some of the crucial questions in theory construction and validation in the social sciences from an epistemological perspective. Students consider questions such as how can underlying principles be discovered and validated? Can specific theories be proven and refuted? If so, what constitutes evidence for this? How commensurable are epistemological bases of various perspectives? Must we posit a reality outside cultural constructions to present interpretations and explanations? What sorts of epistemological assumptions support a stance of cultural relativism and what sorts deny that position? How does situated knowledge or tacit knowledge challenge claims for objectivity or relativism? What is the role of subjectivity in social analysis? What sorts of representational strategies best convey the epistemologies of others? Students address these questions through the works of Durkheimian sociology, Marxisms, Weberian sociology, interpretive anthropology, phenomenological anthropology, ethnomethodology, practice theory, Foucauldianism and feminism.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Honours core unit in Anthropology; Archaeology; Asian Studies; Communication and Media Studies; Gender Studies; Linguistics; Political Science and International Relations [Bachelor of Arts (Honours)]
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate advanced knowledge of key theories in the social sciences, the complexity of different perspectives and the historical development of social thought; (2) demonstrate a broad and critical understanding of the range of approaches and theories in the social sciences; (3) analyse and assess a range of opinions about a specific question in a key area of the social sciences and to apply critical analytical skills through an analytical exercise to produce a reasoned argument with intellectual independence; and (4) articulate epistemological assumptions and how they are deployed in writing.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) seminar participation and (2) written assignments. 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)
- Associate Professor Richard Vokes
- Unit rules
- Incompatibility
- ANTH7483 Honours Seminar 3 (Anthropology)
- Contact hours
- seminars: 2 hours per week for up to 10 weeks
- 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.