| CODE | CHN3025 |
| TITLE | Anthropological Perspectives on Southeast Asia and China |
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course |
| EQF/MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable |
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 |
| DEPARTMENT | Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures |
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit offers an anthropological introduction to Southeast Asia and China through the lens of ethnographic research and comparative analysis. It examines how everyday life, social relations, cultural practices, and moral worlds are shaped within diverse social and historical contexts. Drawing on classic and contemporary ethnographic case studies, the study-unit familiarises students with key anthropological concepts, methods, and analytical approaches, while encouraging close engagement with ethnographic texts. By placing Southeast Asia and China in a comparative framework, the study-unit highlights both regional specificities and broader patterns of social organisation and cultural meaning. Students are encouraged to develop critical reading and analytical skills, to reflect on similarities, differences, and connections across societies, and to understand how ethnography contributes to anthropological and wider social science debates. The study-unit is suitable for undergraduate students with an interest in cultural diversity, regional studies, and social analysis. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: - Introduce students to anthropological perspectives on Southeast Asia and China, with a focus on ethnographic research and comparative analysis; - Explore the diversity of everyday life, social relations, cultural practices, and moral worlds across different social and historical contexts; - Familiarise students with key anthropological concepts, methods, and modes of analysis, while developing an understanding of how ethnography generates insight into social organisation and cultural meaning; - Demonstrate how regional ethnography contributes to anthropological and broader social science debates, and encourages students to reflect critically on similarities, differences, and connections across societies, by placing Southeast Asia and China in a comparative perspective. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define, explain, and contextualise key anthropological concepts relevant to the study of Southeast Asia and China; - Analyse and interpret ethnographic texts and case studies, identifying central arguments, methodological approaches, and empirical evidence; - Evaluate how social, cultural, and historical contexts shape everyday life, social relations, and cultural practices in different settings; - Apply and compare anthropological perspectives across selected themes, demonstrating an ability to draw connections between ethnographic cases and broader theoretical discussions. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop skills in critical reading, interpretation, and evaluation of ethnographic materials, as well as comparative analysis across different cultural and regional contexts; - Strengthen their ability to construct and communicate coherent academic arguments, both orally and in writing, through engagement with case studies and class discussions; - Enhance transferable skills such as analytical and critical thinking, effective written and oral communication, cultural diversity awareness and sensitivity, and the capacity to engage thoughtfully with complex social issues. These skills are applicable across academic disciplines and relevant to professional contexts requiring cross-cultural understanding and informed analysis. |
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture |
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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 2026/7. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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