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Unit of study_

ANTH3632: The Anthropology of the Body

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The body as a site of culture has been of interest to anthropologists from the inception of the discipline. This unit focuses on anthropological approaches to and ethnographic explorations of the body. The key question will be to explore different theories that attempt to explain the relationship between the body and society. We will study important theoretical approaches including Marx, Mauss, Bourdieu and Foucault. Along with each theorists' primary work(s) on the body, we will read associated ethnographic texts, to understand how anthropologist base ethnographies on social theory.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ANTH3632
Academic unit Anthropology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ANTH2632
Prerequisites
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12 credit points at 2000 level in Anthropology
Corequisites
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None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Terry Woronov, terry.woronov@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Terry Woronov, terry.woronov@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment End-of-semester short essay
35% Formal exam period
Due date: 30 Nov 2020 at 23:59
1700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Reading Responses
8 x 350 word reading responses, ongoing
40% Ongoing 8 x 350 word reading responses, ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Embodiment Essay
Essay relating personal experience to theoretical readings
25% Week 11 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Final take-home exam. Students have 24 hours to answer 4 short essay questions. Responses uploaded to Turnitin via Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
HD 85-100 Written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and reading, pointed
and critical analysis of material, innovative interpretation of evidence, makes an
insightful contribution to debate, engages with values, assumptions and contested
meanings contained within original evidence, develops abstract or theoretical
arguments on the strength of detailed research and interpretation. Properly
documented; writing characterised by creativity, style, and precision.
D 75-84 Written work demonstrates initiative in research and reading, complex understanding
and original analysis of subject matter and its context, both empirical and theoretical;
makes good attempt to ‘get behind’ the evidence and engage with its underlying
assumptions, takes a critical, interrogative stance in relation to argument and
interpretation, shows critical understanding of the principles and values underlying
the unit. Properly documented; writing characterised by style, clarity, and some
creativity.
HC 70-74 Evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research, sound grasp of subject
matter and appreciation of key issues and context. Engages critically and creatively
with the question, and attempts an analytical evaluation of material. Makes a good
attempt to critique various interpretations, and offers a pointed and thoughtful
contribution to an existing debate. Some evidence of ability to think theoretically as
well as empirically, and to conceptualise and problematise issues. Well written and
documented.
LC 65-69 Written work contains evidence of comprehensive reading, offers synthesis and
critical evaluation of material on its own terms, takes a position in relation to various
interpretations. In addition, it shows some extra spark of insight or analysis.
Demonstrates understanding of broad historical significance, good selection of
evidence, coherent and sustainable argument, some evidence of independent
thought.
HP 60-64 Written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the
subject matter and some sense of its broader significance, offers synthesis and some
evaluation of material, demonstrates an effort to go beyond the essential reading,
contains clear focus on the principal issues, understanding of relevant arguments and
diverse interpretations, and a coherent argument grounded in relevant evidence,
though there may be some weaknesses of clarity or structure. Articulate, properly
documented.
MP 55-59 Written work contains evidence of minimal reading and some understanding of
subject matter, offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question, but
may have a tendency to paraphrase; makes a reasonable attempt to organise
material logically and comprehensibly and to provide scholarly documentation. There
may be gaps in any or all of these areas.
LP 50-54 Written work contains evidence of minimal reading and some understanding of
subject matter, offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question, but
may have a tendency to paraphrase; makes a reasonable attempt to organise
material logically and comprehensibly and to provide scholarly documentation. There
may be gaps in any or all of these areas.
F below 50 Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: unacceptable levels of
paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; presentation, grammar or structure so sloppy it
cannot be understood; submitted very late without extension.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

No late submissions or extensions accepted. Only students with valid special considerations approval can extend submission.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction: What IS a 'body'? Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 2. Marx, materialism and labour Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 3. Marx and Commodity Fetishism Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 4. FILM Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 5. Levi-Strauss and Structuralism Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Bodies and Symbols Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 7. Techniques of the Body: Mauss Block teaching (2 hr)  
Week 08 8. Habitus: Bourdieu Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 9. Habitus, cont Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 10. Foucault: Docile Bodies Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 11. Biosociality Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 12. Racialised bodies Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a sound introductory understanding of some of the primary theorists whose work is influential in anthropology today particularly around questions of the body and embodiment
  • LO2. demonstrate a sound understanding of how anthropologists use different theoretical models and frameworks to write ethnographies
  • LO3. compare the ways that several different theorists in the social sciences have approached the question of the human body
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the ways that the human body is not “natural” and timeless but instead must be understood in specific historic, social and cultural contexts

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessments and readings have been changed based on feedback of previous iterations of this unit.

Disclaimer

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