UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL

HOWARD COLLEGE & PIETERMARITZBURG CAMPUS

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
CULTURE CLUSTER
INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY [ANTH101]
FIRST SEMESTER: 2024

Welcome to the course ‘INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY, a course designed

to introduce students to the broad fields of Social Anthropology and to give students a
basic understanding of anthropological concepts and research methods. This course will
introduce students to comparative social systems through case studies highlighting
diversity as well as similarity in the social organization of societies. This course is a
prerequisite for students majoring in Anthropology.

This module is divided into FOUR themes namely:

1. What is anthropology?
2. The concept of Culture
3. Kinship, Marriage and Family
4. Research Methods
________________________________________________________________________
Course coordinator: Dr Nokwanda Nzuza
Lecturers:
Howard College Campus
 Dr Nokwanda Nzuza- nzuzan@ukzn.ac.za
 Ms Hloniphile Ndlovu- ndlovuh1@ukzn.ac.za
 Mr Sifundo Mpanza- mpanzas@ukzn.ac.za
Pietermaritzburg Campus
 Ms Celuzuze Mabaso- mabasoc1@ukzn.ac.za
 Mr Mxolisi Gwala- gwalam@ukzn.ac.za
Consultations: to be advised
Please feel free to email should you have any enquiries or concerns regarding the course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 To understand the basics of the field of anthropology and the types of research and
analyses practiced in the discipline.

ANTH 101: COURSE OUTLINE 2024

1
  To understand the holistic, interdisciplinary nature of anthropology, which
encompasses of biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology and
linguistic anthropology.

 To understand the relevance of anthropology in solving contemporary social

problems.

To achieve these objectives, the following themes will be covered:

THEME ONE: WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?

In this section, students are introduced to the discipline of anthropology, the historical
context which has shaped the discipline and applicability of anthropology in today’s
world. Students are introduced to terminology and concepts related to social and cultural
anthropology. This section further introduces the anthropological theories of social
organization such as historicism (historical particularism and diffusionism),
functionalism and structuralism. It also examines how culture and societal changes have
evolved by using these theoretical frameworks.

THEME TWO: THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE

This section introduces students to the multiple definitions and understandings of

‘culture’. The subthemes covered include the key concepts of culture, understanding
cultural differences and cultural relativism.

THEME THREE: KINSHIP, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

This section examines the concept of kinship, marriage, family and the associated
anthropological terminology. Students are also introduced to drawing kinship diagrams
and genealogies.

THEME FOUR: RESEARCH METHODS

In this section we examine research methods such as participant observation,

interviewing and life histories which are used by anthropologists in the field.

Recommended Texts:

Haviland, W. A., Prins, H., Walrath, D., McBride, B. (2011). The essence of
anthropology. 3rd ed. USA: Cengage Learning- Wadsworth.

Nanda, S. and Warms, R.L. (2014). Cultural Anthropology. Belmont, Ca: Cengage
Learning - Wadsworth.

ANTH 101: COURSE OUTLINE 2024

2
Additional supplementary readings:

 Haviland et al (2011): Anthropology, The Human Challenge

(ch 15)
 Bailey & Peoples (2011): Essentials of Cultural Anthropology (ch 5)

*it is not necessary to purchase any textbook as relevant chapters will be uploaded on
learn2023.ukzn.ac.za

 ALL readings, notes, assignment topics & tutorials will be available on learn2023
 Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the system and consistently
refer to learn to keep up to date.

Rules and regulations:

Lectures and Tutorials

 It is recommended that all lectures are attended, as it is only through attending

classes that students are able to gain the full benefits of the course.

 There is one tutorial each week starting from the third week of lecturers. Topics
and times for tutorials will be announced in class and each tutorial will require
prior preparation.

Assessments, Tests and Examination

 The coursework assessment component of the course consists of tutorial tasks,

one test and a portfolio. All assessments will cover the material dealt with in the
lectures, tutorials and readings and will help with exam preparations.
 If for a valid reason you are unable to write a test on the test date, you are
required to notify the course coordinator on or before the day of the test. In
such a case either an oral or a written agrotat test must be completed.
 At the end of the semester students will write one three-hour examination.

Test and Assignment Dates [TO BE CONFIRMED]

Tutorials :
Test :
Portfolio :

DP Criteria

In order to qualify for DP (and be permitted to write the examination) students need to
fulfill the following conditions:

ANTH 101: COURSE OUTLINE 2024

3
  Complete all assessments (Tutorials, test and Portfolio)
 Attend tutorials

Course Assessment

The final mark for the module will be calculated as follows:

 Tutorials 10 %
 Test 20 %
 Portfolio 20 %
 Examination 50 %

-Students achieving a final mark of 50 % or more when course work mark and exam
mark are added together will pass the course.
-Students receiving a final mark of 40-49 % will be required to write a supplementary
examination.
-Please note: If a supplementary or agrotat exam is written, course work will be carried
forward and will be calculated into the final mark after the examination.

Finally, we wish you well with your studies and trust that you will enjoy module.

ANTH 101: COURSE OUTLINE 2024

4