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ANTHROPOLOGY

Students who register for Anthropology as a major subject are advised to include Archaeology in their curriculum. Thematic study: The following are examples of general themes that the Department may select for study in Anthropological context in different papers: education; health; tourism; labour; gender differentiation; differentiation and conflict in multicultural communities; development; organisational culture; any significant theme, particularly from recent anthropological literature. Ethnographic studies are selected by the Department with due regard for geographical distribution and the illustration of a variety of theoretical perspectives or Anthropological themes over the duration of three courses.
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: APY1501, APY1502
NQF Level: 6: APY2601, APY2602, APY2613
NQF Level: 7: APY3701, APY3702, APY3713, APY3704, APY3705
Anthropology and Archaeology as combined majors:
NQF Level 5: APY1501,APY1502, AGE1501, AGE1502
NQF Level 6: APY2601, APY2602, APY2613, AGE2601, AGE2602, GGH2603
NQF Level 7: APY3701, APY3702, APY3704, APY3705, APY3713, AGE3701, AGE3702, AGE3703, AGE3704, AGE3705

Themes in Anthropology: Tourism and Pilgrimage - APY3704
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To understand the role, dynamics and consequences of tourism and pilgrimage from an anthropological perspective.
Sociocultural Solutions to Problems of Human Adaptation - APY3705
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to different ethnographic examples of socio-cultural human adaptation. This module considers an array of ethnographic examples, drawn from around the globe, to teach students about human adaptation as a sociocultural phenomenon. The module emphasises both similarities and differences in how different societies respond to challenges of human adaptation. The module also shows how similarities and differences exist in different societies. To show these similarities and differences, the module places emphasis on the relationship between historical processes. These historical processes have a bearing on local cultures. Using various ethnographic examples, the module illustrates how sociocultural diversity has emerged due to the distinct ways in which societies have developed coping methods. These coping methods address the problems and challenges arising from the mutual connectedness and interdependence of individuals and systems. TEACHING OBJECTIVE: Is to provide the students with critical thinking and encourage lifelong learning. This module also provides students with a complex understanding of ethnographic examples of socio-cultural human adaptation.
Ritual Life in a Disabling Society - APY3713
Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: For an individual in a wheelchair, the symbolic meaning of a flight of stairs is simple and direct. The area beyond is off-limits... Disability in a disabling society... exposes the building blocks of society. What is considered a disability... reveals who is and is not incorporated as a viable member... Because of the permanent liminality of disability, the arbitrariness and hostility of the disabling society can be revealed and shattered"" (Willett & Deegan 2018). The purpose of this third year online anthropology module is to build on the foundation of the undergraduate programme laid in the first and second year modules. In this module students will engage with ideas on disability and 'contemporary society' through a critical lens. By using disability, students will learn how to deconstruct the building blocks of what makes up contemporary society. They will do this by way of making use of anthropological works on understanding ritual behaviour, ala Victor Turner's work on liminality, and through the assessments they will perform ethnographic and/or autoethnographic exercises which will give them first-hand research experience to understand disability' in practice..
Introduction to Anthropological Research - APY4801
Honours Semester module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To question the process of knowledge creation in anthropological research practice including the choosing of a research field, topic and subsequent theorisation. Qualifying students are introduced to a range of research methods and against this backdrop they will be able to ethically conduct themselves well in choosing a research project within any subsequent applications of methods. Those who achieve this qualification will familiarise themselves with the most common research methods and be able to judge these methods against the assumptions and biases inherent in them. This approach will develop students' critical analytical skills as they interrogate the methods employed in the process of knowledge production in anthropology.
African Ethnography - APY4802
Honours Semester module NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: APY4801
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to provide a solid platform for students who wish to proceed to the post-graduate domain. Qualifying students will be equipped with an understanding of the origin and construction of the ethnographic text and will be able to understand the role of ethnography within the anthropological environment. Students who complete this module will be able to understand the contribution of ethnography within the focus on the Anthropocene.
Applied Anthropology - APY4804
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: APY4801
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the varied potential of anthropology as an applied field, its historical context, current debates and ethical issues in the field. This module guides students to understand the nature of applied anthropology, the anthropological approach to perspectives on problem solving strategies, and socio-cultural issues to which anthropology is most commonly applied in real-world situations. This module resonates with work done by for example the World Bank, or the World Health Organisation, government departments that provide social services.
Theorizing Anthropology - APY4813
Honours Semester module NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: APY4801
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to provide students with tools to understand the evolution of the discipline of anthropology from an African standpoint. This will help students gain a sophisticated appreciation of the burgeoning decolonial turn both within the discipline and the university. Qualifying students will be able to, following guidelines, piece together and thus reflect on the theoretical perspectives that inform the human sciences in the first instance, and anthropology, in particular. The Africanist and decolonial postures of the module will equip students with critical thinking skills that will allow them to understand the political implications of theory-making.
Anthropological and Archaeological Research Report - HRAAR81
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 36
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: APY4801 or AGE4801
Purpose: To equip students with attitudes, knowledges and skills to formulate an appropriate research report on an approved topic in Anthropology or Archaeology. Under supervision the student will conduct research, do an extensive literature review on the selected topic, design a structure for the research report and develop a discipline-related analysis to interpret the research findings. The research findings will be presented in the form of a research report where appropriate academic conventions are observed. HRAAR81 serves the disciplines of Anthropology and Archaeology and the divisional head for each discipline will be responsible for overseeing the student's research journey within established practices of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology.
Anthropology in a Diverse World - APY1501
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: The purpose of the module is to introduce students to anthropology, a discipline that focuses on human beings everywhere, both past and present. The module seeks to provide students with basic anthropological knowledge and skills to understand social life in diverse societies and illustrates the relevance of anthropology in dealing with human problems stemming from issues of identity, family life and religion. Students who complete this module should be able, at a basic level, to engage anthropologically with communal living and real life challenges arising from it.
The Anthropology of Love and Sex - APY1502
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: The purpose of this first year anthropology module is to introduce students to a critical approach to understanding how the concepts of love and sex relate to society in all its vagaries. A particular emphasis will be placed on Africa and the global South, although the module will not limit itself in scope. A combination of academic and popular materials will be used, both textual and digital. This module is framed as foundational for the anthropology undergraduate programme but will find currency among the other human and social sciences.
Anthropological Theory in Practice - APY2601
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To understand selected theoretical aspects of anthropology and to demonstrate awareness of their relevance in practice.
Anthropology of Health - APY2602
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The primary objective is to develop studentsﾒ ability to critically evaluate information in an African context and to introduce approaches and theories on Anthropology of Health. In addition, to enable students to analyse ways in which illnesses, health and healing is viewed globally and locally and to convey ways in which diseases/pandemics such as Tuberculosis, Covid-19, among others, are approached. To impart knowledge on methods of healing as they are applied in diverse socio- cultural contexts. It is imperative for medical students, who primarily study anthropology of health, to learn, view and understand methods of healing in their own and other socio-culturally diverse spaces and analyse its impact on social suffering. To encourage them to rethink notions that western methods of healing are superior while indigenous health, healing rituals and illness are considered to be inferior. The objective is to introduce theoretical analysis that analyses health, healing, rituals and illness in African context.
Anthropology in an African Context - APY2613
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: is to ensure that qualifying students are able to critically engage with social phenomena related to, among others, race, class and gender as found and experienced in daily life. Furthermore students enrolled for this module will be able to apply a critical mindset and engage in specific themes related to Africa such as religion, colonialism and development, and the historical processes that lead to the formation of these concepts. Students will understand the anthropological process, that there is a relationship between daily life and broader social processes.
Qualitative Research Methodology: the Anthropological Strategy - APY3701
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To understand and apply key features of anthropological research methods, for example ethnographic interviewing, participant observation, ethics, and various other data collection techniques.
Applied Anthropology: Contemporary Human Issues and the Practice of Anthropology - APY3702
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To develop the perspectives and skills which anthropologists apply for the benefit of humankind, for example in the fields of development, health-care, tourism, corporate culture, education, intercultural relations human rights, advocacy, activism and sociocultural impact assessment.