Outline

Overview

In this unit, students consider the ways anthropologists have continually reinvented their inquiry into the human condition and its diverse expressions. Because anthropology insists on the partial and situated nature of knowledge, its form of ethnography enjoys a productive tension with social theory. Students examine how work in new empirical settings and on new problems of ethnographic interpretation give rise to new conceptual perspectives and theoretical paradigms. Of particular emphasis is the dialogue and mutual influence between anthropology and critical social thought. The unit examines several emerging debates within contemporary anthropology over its scope, methods, and purpose.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Anthropology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	144 credit points including FASS3999 or equivalent
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Leanne Williams Green, leanne.williamsgreen@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Long Essay Engagement with anthropological literature relevant to student's subject	30%	Mid-semester break Due date: 25 Apr 2025 at 23:59	1600 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Weekly Reflections Weekly reflections on the required reading material.	25%	Multiple weeks	300 word x 9 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation Participation in the weekly seminar	10%	Ongoing	NA
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Critical reflections on methodology relevant to student's project	25%	Week 10 Due date: 09 May 2025 at 23:59	1200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short Writing Assignment Ethnographic Vignette	10%	Week 12 Due date: 23 May 2025 at 23:59	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Weekly reflections (25%)

Participation (10%)

Long Essay (30%)

Short Essay (25%)

Short Writing Assignment (10%)

Critical engagement with generative AI tools is permitted in this Unit, under guidance. The usage must be cited and must be in line with the Academic Integrity Policy.

Detailed information about each assessment, including use of AI tools, can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

guide to grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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:

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: Students have to submit the short writing assignment, long essay, and short essay in order to pass the class. Failure to submit any of these three assessments will result in an AF. It is very important for students to keep in regular contact with the instructor about their progress in the class. Discretion may be used in application of the University policy on late penalties.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Prologue: Why Anthropology?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	The Big So What Question: Finding Research Problems in Anthropology	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Formulating Research Questions in Anthropology	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Who are your Fellow Travellers? (Literature Review)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Who are your Fellow Travellers? (Literature Review)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Project Consultation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Many Ways of Doing Anthropology (Methodologies)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Debating Ethics and Positionality	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Project Consultation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Developing as a storyteller (Ethnographies)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	From Data to Theory	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Learning from the Elders and Learning Community (Reading completed theses)	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. Records of attendance will be kept. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold

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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. identify and describe one’s own position on major issues of controversy in contemporary anthropology and its relationship to other competing positions.
LO2. critically explain the contributions of ethnographic cases and ethnographic interpretation to critical perspectives in anthropology and the social sciences generally.
LO3. critically explain the contributions of theoretical debates in social sciences to formulating new approaches to ethnographic investigation.
LO4. explain the relevance of debates in contemporary anthropology to the student’s own thesis topic.
LO5. build a learning community of honours students

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This course is offered for the first time in 2024.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ANTH4700: New Directions in Anthropology

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links