University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: It will be restricted to Social Anthropology Honours students; exceptions will need the instructor's permission.

This module provides an introduction to anthropology's contribution to studies of existential risk and catastrophe. It explores scientific, religious and political frameworks of understanding catastrophic events, and the way these impact social life. Merging political, medical and ethical anthropological perspectives, the module brings together a wide range of theoretical and empirical material that will allow students to approach existential risk and catastrophe as socio-cultural processes of key importance in the contemporary world.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass SA2001 and pass SA2002

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 lecture (x10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 275

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr R D G Irvine
Module teaching staff: Dr Richard Irvine, Maggie Bolton (University of Aberdeen)
Module coordinator email rdgi@st-andrews.ac.uk