| CODE | ANT1040 | ||||||
| TITLE | Symbols in Culture and Society | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Anthropological Sciences | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Since the beginning of anthropology symbols have held an important place in anthropology. In this study unit we will conduct a broad overview of the theoretical traditions that have influenced symbolic anthropology from Frazer, Levi-Strauss, the psycho-analytic movement, Victor Turner and Mary Douglas as well as semiotics and post-modernism. We will study these theoretical traditions via applied case studies of particular symbols and their socio-cultural significance and signification. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit will aim to: • Offer students an insight into the study of symbols in anthropology and beyond. • Enable students to examine the form and function of symbols in society. • Provide students with a solid introduction to the major theoretical schools in symbolic anthropology. • Provide students with an in depth understanding of a select number of key symbols in various societies through the use of case studies. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Provide an overview of the history of theorization of symbols in anthropology. • Be able to analyse the continued significance of symbols in modern society. • Establish a broad-based knowledge of various symbols. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Read critically and selectively and make sense of a range of case studies in relation to classical and contemporary theory. • Develop the capacity to establish cross-cultural comparisons and analysis. • Navigate with confidence online journal databases. All of these skills are transferable and will prove invaluable to students in other subjects as well in any future careers they undertake. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Students will be provided with a reader composed of a number of selected excerpts from various sources. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Jean-Paul Baldacchino |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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