| Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Programme |
| General Information about Anthropology |
General Information about Anthropology Over the years, Anthropology has been associated with certain people, topics and ideas – above all, the idea of “culture”. Anthropology’s unique contribution is not related to a particular field of study, but a way of creating knowledge. This way focuses on people, how they adapt to the places where they live, and how they create meaning about themselves and the people around them. Anthropology’s unique way of research is called “ethnography”. It requires anthropologists to immerse themselves in the lives of research participants and to think critically about how people, including anthropologists, represent others. Anthropology is therefore a uniquely humanizing discipline, teaching its students to attend to the extraordinary complexity of seemingly simple social encounters and to the diversity and unity of live. |
| First Year |
Abridged |
| Semester 1 |
ANTI 1514 |
Introduction to Anthropology |
The first-year module in the Anthropology course introduces the nature of the discipline and explains why the discipline is relevant in our world today; amongst other things, its contributions in making sense of the challenges of the contemporary world. |
| Semester 2 |
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| For South Campus Students Only |
ANTH 1524 |
Anthropology of Heritage |
This module presents heritage as a cultural phenomenon with complex and contested meanings. It explores issues of cultural heritage documentation, preservation, and articulation/communication. |
| For Bloemfontein Campus Students |
ANTC 1624 |
Culture: Understanding ourselves and Others |
Culture is introduced as a central concept of anthropology by discussing the characteristics, such as symbolic, learned, and shared adaptive nature in theory but also with reference to modern examples from everyday life. Humans are presented as active beings that question the rules and practices of society and transform culture through their actions. |
| Second Year |
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| Semester 1 |
ANTD 2614 |
The Anthropology of Identity |
This course explores the anthropology of identity. We will work from the understanding that people do not naturally belong to an ethnicity or a nation, a gender, or a race. In particular, we will highlight the colonial history and heritage policies that frame debates about identity across the continent. Through our discussions, we will aim to better understand the world in which we live and how to reflect on how we engage with other people in our everyday lives. |
| Semester 2 |
ANTS2724 |
Symbolic Resources of Culture |
In this module students are invited to a theoretical exploration of cultural meaning-making, and “symbolling” as found in the domains of, for example, beliefs, myth, ritual, play, art, and language. Symbolic practices and forms represent the more sustained, meaningful areas of our lives, shaping our lives by providing frameworks for thinking and sense-making. |
| Third Year |
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| Semester 1 |
ANTE 3716 |
Ethnography |
In this module, students explore the unique way of research utilised in anthropology, namely ethnography. It requires anthropologists to immerse themselves in the lives of research participants and to think critically about how people, including anthropologists, represent others. |
| Semester 2 |
ANTU 3725 |
Socio-Cultural transformation |
In this module, students will explore theoretically, and with case studies, the cultural complexities of institutions, structures, and processes in urban societies, and ultimately be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and competency regarding the anthropological approach to sustainable development. |
| Semester 2 |
ANTA 3725 |
Anthropology in Action |
Anthropology has a long history of engagement with so-called developmental projects and public issues such as healthcare, museums, immigrates, racial tensions, policies and civic actions. Through intense engagement with a specific community, we hope to guide the students to not only learn about their inner selves and capabilities, but also to offer, through a following a collaborative approach, to the well-being of a community in need. |