University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be arranged.

This module creatively addresses anthropological approaches to material culture and develops a critical understanding of how things play a part in human social relationships. We will explore how people live through things, using the body to transform materials from the environment into artefacts; consuming and displaying objects; incorporating them into domestic activities such as house-building and home-making, even living in them; transforming us in life cycle events such as weddings and funerals; re-membering our pasts through tourist souvenirs, monuments or ceremonial shrines; and creating things which move us, whether 'magical artefacts' or 'works of art'. Students will become familiar with both key theoretical texts in material culture studies and the variety of artifacts and ways of representing them which have become almost iconic in material culture and 'ethnographic art' (from rock art sites to heritage centres; from masks to Surrealist art; from domestic artifacts to folk art).

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, 1 seminar.

Scheduled learning hours: 77

Guided independent study hours: 223

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 3-hour Written Examination or Take-Home Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 50%

Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination or Take-Home Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: Dr Stephanie Bunn