Anthropological Thought and Practice (861L6A)
Living Theory: Anthropological Thought and Practice in the Contemporary World
Module 861L6A
Module details for 2027/28.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
This module examines social and cultural anthropology through ethnography, tracing its historical development and contemporary transformations. You will explore how ethnography became anthropology’s central method and form of representation, and critically engage with its entanglements with colonialism, power, and history. The module traces changes in ethnographic practice since Writing Culture (1986), focusing on representation, authorship, and authority. It considers how methods shape knowledge production and addresses key issues, which can include race, gender, sexuality, inequality, and conflict. Teaching is grounded in the close study of key ethnographic texts. Through this, you will develop skills in contextualising, analysing, and critically evaluating ethnographic research, while reflecting on the ethical, political, and methodological challenges of contemporary fieldwork and representation. The module ultimately encourages you to think beyond representation toward more reflexive, accountable, and imaginative forms of anthropological engagement with the world. For part time students, the module will be taught in term 1 of the first year of study of the MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology.
Module learning outcomes
Systematically understand the historical development of ethnography as both a research method and a form of representation, including its transformations since Writing Culture (1986).
Analyse how ethnographic methods, such as participant observation, life histories, and visual and sensorial approaches, shape the production and interpretation of anthropological knowledge
Critically evaluate ethnographic texts, considering theoretical, epistemological, ethical, and political aspects, including questions of power, authorship, and representation.
Engage with contemporary theoretical approaches in anthropology, including feminist, queer, decolonial, and posthuman perspectives, to interpret issues such as race, gender, sexuality, affect, and inequality.
Produce clear, well-structured, and critically informed written analysis that situates ethnographic work within its broader disciplinary, historical, and theoretical contexts.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 40.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | T1 Week 6 | 100.00% |
| Portfolio (3000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00 | 60.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Workshop | 3 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.