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SOCA1020.2: Personhood and Sociality

Kinship, social lives, rituals, identity and symbolism will all be under the microscope in this anthropology course.

333 enrolled on this course

Person with a backpack walking at sunset/sunrise with birds flying in the distance. The person and the birds essentially form a silhouette.
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Learn a vital anthropological skill and gain insights into the self

This is the second of four courses in the SOCA1020: What is Anthropology? program. The program introduces the history of anthropology and of anthropological thought, and the nature and practice of anthropological fieldwork (ethnography).

This three-week course will give you skills in kinship identification and mapping. You’ll also gain insights into social structure and cultural practice at individual, local and regional levels. Ethnicity, symbols and rites of passage will also be discussed in relation to identity.

What topics will you cover?

Please see the SOCA1020: What is Anthropology? course handbook for more detail.

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.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Interrogate what the discipline of anthropology is and how it relates to the concepts of 'culture' and 'society';
  • Explain the concepts of life-worlds (local) and system world (global) and identify their interconnections;
  • Investigate processes of social and cultural transformation by applying a systematic, critical and sympathetic understanding of the contemporary world;
  • Demonstrate an introductory understanding of ethnography and the nature of social and cultural research more broadly;
  • Apply academic skills relevant to anthropology, including critical appraisal of anthropological literature and effective written communication.

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. You need to have completed the first course in the program, Anthropology: Understanding Societies and Cultures, to enrol.

Who will you learn with?

Associate Professor of Anthropology, HCISS, University of Newcastle (Australia). Research interests: Australian Aboriginal health, and German parents working with ARTs.

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

    1965
  • Location

    Newcastle, Australia
  • World 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.