ANTH 2053 - Life, Death and Culture
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ANTH 2053 Course Life, Death and Culture Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 12 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study Assessment 1200-1500 word research proposal (25%), 2500 word essay (45%), 1500 word critical reflective journal (20%), workshop participation (10%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Susan Hemer
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Introduce students to the anthropological literature on life and death 2 Increase students’ understanding of how people define and deal with life and death 3 Broaden students’ knowledge of cultural variation in how connections are forged or severed between the living and the dead 4 Introduce or deepen student’s knowledge of life & death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies 5 Engage students in contemporary debates that relate to life and death 6 Develop students’ awareness of, and ability to critically reflect on the politics of life and death in their own cultural background 7 Develop students’ critical thinking and digital research skills on a topic of interest related to life and/or death University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
7 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
5 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
7 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4, 6 Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
7 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
All required learning resources will be provided via the MyUni site for this course.Recommended Resources
Cecil, R. 1996 The Anthropology of Pregnancy Loss. Oxford: Berg.
Franklin, S. & Lock, M. 2003 Remaking Life and Death: toward an anthropology of the biosciences. Santa Fe: School of American Research Press.
Ginsburg, F. D. & Rapp, R. 1995 Conceiving the new world order: the global politics of reproduction. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Glaskin, K., M. Tonkinson, Y. Musharbash & V. Burbank. (Ed.). (2008). Mortality, mourning and mortuary practices in Indigenous Australia. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd..
Kaufman, S. R. & Morgan, L. M. 2005 The anthropology of the beginnings and ends of life. Annual Review of Anthropology 34: 317-41.
Loizos, P. & Heady, P. 1999 Conceiving Persons: Ethnographies of procreation, fertility and growth. London: the Athlone Press.
Lukere, V. & Jolly, M. 2002 Birthing in the Pacific: beyond tradition and modernity? Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Margry, P.J. & Sanchez-Carretero, C. 2011 Grassroots memorials : the politics of memorializing traumatic death. New York: Berghahn Books.
Metcalf, P. & Huntington, R. 1991 Celebrations of death: the anthropology of mortuary ritual. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Robben, A. C. G. M. 2004 Death, Mourning and Burial: a cross-cultural reader. Oxford: Blackwell.
Scheper-Hughes, N. 1992 Death Without Weeping. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Van Hollen, C., & Appleton, N. 2023. A Companion to the Anthropology of Reproductive Medicine and Technology. Wiley.Online Learning
MyUni will be central to this course. It will be used to communicate with students through Announcements & Discussion Posts, as well as to post recorded lectures (Echo360 or Zoom) and powerpoint slides. MyUni will also have the details for assignments & be used for submission. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is taught through a combination of lectures and workshops. Lectures aim to provide the theoretical and conceptual background of the topics at hand. Workshops will focus on key debates around these topics as well as cross-cultural variation. Assignments will allow students to focus on a number of issues of their own choice.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week
12 hours per semester
1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week
24 hours per semester
4 hours reading and workshop preparation per week
48 hours per semester
5 hours assignment preparation per week
60 hours per semester
1 hour research per week
12 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD
156 hours per semesterLearning Activities Summary
Life
Week 1: Anthropology of the Beginnings and Ends of Life
Week 2: Pregnancy
Week 3: Reproductive disruptions (online)
Week 4: Birth
Week 5: The Cultural Politics of Reproduction
Week 6: Independent learning and research
Life-death boundaries
Week 7: Brain death & organ transplantation
Week 8: Social birth, aging and social death
Death
Week 9: Death and Dying
Week 10: Memorials and cemeteries
Week 11: Grief
Week 12: The Afterlife -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Percentage of total assessment Word Count Workshop participation 10% Critical Reflective Journal 25% 1500 Research Project (made up of the following): Research Proposal 20% 1000 Research Essay 45% 2000 Assessment Related Requirements
Attendance at Lectures and Workshops is essential for success in this course. If more than 2 workshops are missed (without documentation such as a medical certificate) students will gain 0% for Workshop participation.Assessment Detail
Participation: Workshops are the major learning context for this subject. Students are required to participate in one 2-hour workshop each week. Workshops require continual preparation by way of reading and thinking about the materials under discussion.
1500 word Critical Reflective Journal: write a critical reflection on themes related to this course and relevant literature.
1000 word research proposal: students choose their own research topic relating to life or death that is related to the themes of this course.
2000 word research essay: this will be based on the student's research proposal and other research.Submission
Submission of assignments will be done online through MyUni. Details for submission will be provided closer to submission dates.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
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- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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