DSW112 Introduction to Social Anthropology 1

WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE STUDIES

COURSE OUTLINE (MARCH-JUNE 2022)

COURSE : Introduction to Social Anthropology 1
COURSE CODE : DSW112
LECTURER : S.N CHIKUKWA
CONTACT DETAILS : 0718030484
EMAIL ADDRESS : sharonnyasha18@gmail.com




Welcome to Women’s University in Africa!
Course: Objectives
1. To introduce students to the basic definitional issues in anthropology.
11. Introduce the theoretical framework in which anthropological analysis work.
111. Marrying ethnology to the discipline of social work in order to provide practical
relevance for the course.
Teaching Methods
The bulk of this course is taught through face to face lectures and online lectures.
Course Content
1. Introduction
• The scope and meaning of Anthropology
• Sub-disciplines/types of anthropology
• The birth and history of social anthropology
• The Founding Fathers. Franz Boaz/ Malinowski/Evans-Prichard
• Importance of social anthropology to social workers
• Colonialism and abuse of anthropology in Africa and elsewhere
2. Theories
• Evolutionism
• Functionalism
• Diffusionism
• Historical Particularism
• Marxist anthropology and Cultural Ecology
3. Culture and Society
• Concept of Culture
• Main feature, Norms and values
• Components, and Characteristics of a culture
• Ethnocentrism, cultural relativism and the influence of culture on human behavior.
Methodology and fieldwork Methods in Anthropology
• Ethnography: stages and ethical considerations
• Participant and non-observation
• Interviews
Marriage and Kinship
• Kinship and blood relations
• Descent
• Marriage rule and payments
• Case studies: The Shona, Chewa, Tumbuka
Assignment Questions
1. Examine the contributions of the founding fathers in Anthropology. (INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT)
2. Analyze the sub-fields of Anthropology and how they contribute to modern day society. (IN-CLASS)
Assessment Methods.
Two essays during the course of the semester will be written which would both constitute 30% of the final mark. The examination to be written at the end of the semester constitutes 70%.

Essential Reading List:
Bourdillion M.A 1975: The Shona Peoples: Mambo Press Gweru
Cheater A.P Social Anthropology: An Alternative Introduction, Mambo Press Gweru
OnwueJeougwu M.A 1975. The Social Anthropology of Africa an alternative Introduction Ibadan Heinemann.
Students encouraged to make use of other resources available in the Library