3 weeks
3 hours per week
FREE - Optional upgrade available
Humanities and Social Science
About this course
Learn more about society, cultural issues and practices. You are invited on a journey to different places and different times. On this course, you will learn about diverse ways of living and explore cultural differences and similarities.
You will be introduced to a number of anthropological theories and gain insights into how the study of other cultures and societies can help us deal with urgent problems confronting our own societies and the modern world.
Through your new knowledge about other cultures, you will reflect on your own cultural home, society and world views.
What you'll learn
- An introduction to social and cultural anthropology
- The historical development of modern social and cultural anthropology
- Basic theoretical and analytic models applied in anthropology, including kinship theory
- A basic introduction to anthropological fieldwork and ethnography
What you'll achieve
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...
- Investigate what the discipline of anthropology is and how it relates to the concepts of ‘culture’ and ‘society’
- Describe the historical evolution of anthropology, from its foundation to the present day.
- Produce ethnographic field notes related to a field work exercise.
- Identify the significant theorists and theories undergirding anthropology.
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone interested in anthropology, cultural issues in society, or the workings of society and cultural practices. It would also suit those looking to develop their critical thinking or research skills. No prior experience is required.
Meet the instructors
Dr Hedda Askland
Dr Hedda Askland is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Her research centres on questions of exile and displacement, place, home, identity and belonging
Dr Daniela Heil
Dr Daniela Heil is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Her research expertise is in social and medical anthropology.
Like this open course?
Take the full semester 10 unit course
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.