Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LC Anthropology of Africa
School	History and Cultures
Department	African Studies & Anthropology
Module Code	09 28904
Module Lead	Juliet Gilbert
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Cannot be taken with Introduction to the Anthropology of Africa” (10 credit version)
Contact Hours	Lecture-10 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-180 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Anthropology of Africa introduces a variety of diverse societies across sub-Saharan Africa, enabling students to understand fundamental aspects of social life in Africa. Engaging with key anthropological texts, from the colonial birth of the discipline to contemporary writings, the module encourages students to reflect critically on the different ways in which anthropologists represent African societies. The module covers topics such as: how African societies conceptualise personhood, marriage and gendered relations; how power is linked to religion and witchcraft beliefs; how historical memory is performed; and how political state failure is experienced in everyday life, not least for young people on the continent. Ethnographic texts are used throughout the module to familiarise students with African societies and anthropological methodology, and ethnographic videos are used to support the readings. While the lectures provide background knowledge, students are encouraged to use the seminar time to reflect critically on the module readings.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Analyse the main social, political, and economic institutions found in selected African societies, and describe the main processes of change they have been undergoing. Examine the analytical frameworks and concepts used in the scholarly literature on Africa, and explain the problems entailed in using these frameworks and concepts. Work with an appropriate degree of learner independence in the library and on-line in order to complete the assessments. Communicate their findings clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
Assessment	28904-01 : 1000 word written assignment - Essay 1 : Coursework (30%) 28904-02 : 2000 word written assignment - Essay 2 : Coursework (70%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1 x 1000 word written assignment (30%)
Other
Reading List