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ANTH40U15: Advanced Studies of Evolving Knowledge Systems

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Type	Open
Level	4
Credits	15
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Anthropology

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None.

Aims

To learn how to examine evolving knowledge systems.
To learn how to compare and contrast knowledge system properties.
To learn how to communicate a comparative analysis of evolving knowledge systems.

Content

Conceptualisations of knowledge and knowledge systems.
A comparative analysis of evolving knowledge system properties.
Knowledge system properties relating to topics such as: 4E cognition and collective intelligence; information theory and search algorithms; representation and symbolism; faith, science and scholarship; social practice, tacit knowledge and phenomenology.
Case studies include non-human animals, humans and artificial intelligence.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

A critical understanding of conceptualisations of knowledge and knowledge systems.
A comparative appreciation of evolving knowledge systems.
A critical understanding of knowledge system properties.

Subject-specific Skills:

To express a critical understanding of conceptualisations of knowledge and knowledge systems.
To express a critical understanding of evolving knowledge system properties.
To compare evolving knowledge systems.

Key Skills:

Intellectual agility, plurality and curiosity.
Ability to think coherently and critically across different paradigms and perspectives.
Ability to discern relative theoretical positions and evaluate empirical evidence.
Accessible and compelling communication of complex ideas.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures will map out intellectual content outlining key concepts, theory, and presenting relevant case studies.
Seminars will provide students with opportunities to discuss and enrich their understanding and communication of ideas based on material covered in the lectures and readings with the module tutor/s and their peers.
Summative assessment requires the student to make a comparative analysis of evolving knowledge systems, using a medium of their choice from audio-, video-, written- or hybrid-essay, or equivalent.
Formative assessment requires the student to submit the content plan/structure for their summative assessment and a short example of the content using their medium of choice.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total	Monitored
Lectures	10	Weekly	1 hour	10
Seminars	5	Fortnightly	1 hour	5	Yes
Preparation and Reading				135
Total				150

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Assignment	3500 words or equivalent	100

Formative Assessment

Content plan/structure for their summative assessment (up to 500 words) and a short example of the content using their medium of choice (up to 500 words or equivalent).

More information

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