SOCA1020.1 Understanding Societies and Cultures
Gain an introduction to anthropology: the study of societies and cultures. Learn how the discipline has changed over time.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours
SOCA1020.1 Understanding Societies and Cultures
Learn more about society, cultural issues and practices
You are invited on a journey to different places and different times. On this course, you will learn about diverse ways of living and explore cultural differences and similarities.
You will be introduced to a number of anthropological theories and gain insights into how the study of other cultures and societies can help us deal with urgent problems confronting our own societies and the modern world.
Through your new knowledge about other cultures, you will reflect on your own cultural home, society and world views.
What topics will you cover?
- An introduction to social and cultural anthropology
- The historical development of modern social and cultural anthropology
- Basic theoretical and analytic models applied in anthropology, including kinship theory
- A basic introduction to anthropological fieldwork and ethnography
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone interested in anthropology, cultural issues in society, or the workings of society and cultural practices. It would also suit those looking to develop their critical thinking or research skills.
Who developed the course?
The University of Newcastle Australia
The University of Newcastle is a world-class university distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Ranked in Australia’s Top 10 universities, and 173rd in the world (QS rankings, 2024).
Established
1965Location
Newcastle, AustraliaWorld ranking
Top 180Source: QS World University Rankings 2024
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
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Join the conversation on social media
You can use the hashtag #UniNewcastle to talk about this course on social media.