Culture and Wellbeing
| Module title | Culture and Wellbeing |
|---|---|
| Module code | ANT2107 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Sally Atkinson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
This module explores wellbeing and the diverse ways in which it is understood or enacted in different social and cultural contexts. While the social sciences have often traditionally tended to focus on social problems, crises and pathologies, in this module we invite thought about the good life. Discussions will be structured around a central question: how do people in different places or situations strive to live well, despite the many challenges they face? A predominantly anthropological perspective on this question will be supplemented by approaches from related disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and philosophy. Drawing on ethnographic examples, we will explore various different conceptualizations and experiences of wellbeing, with respect to a range of issues including work and creativity, affect and emotion, sociality and care.
This module is well-suited to students on interdisciplinary pathways in anthropology, sociology, philosophy and psychology.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The central aims of this module are to enable you to build an understanding of positive aspects of life and efforts to flourish, often in adverse circumstances; and to critically evaluate claims about wellbeing and the assumptions that underwrite them (including policy statements, political claims, and economic agendas). The module thus aims to seek a balance between critical and constructive approaches.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the current state of anthropological and sociological debates related to wellbeing;
- 2. Show a developing understanding of specific issues related to the understanding of wellbeing such as care, work, creativity, or hope based on anthropological, sociological and related literature.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Link theoretical concepts with grounded examples;
- 4. Show competence in critically assessing claims about wellbeing;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Communicate concepts and ideas clearly both orally and in writing;
- 6. Work independently and in groups, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
- Suffering and beyond
- Health
- Conviviality and mutuality
- Agency
- Responsibility
- Happiness
- Values
- Care
- Hope
- Work and creativity
- Wellbeing – a critical exploration
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 126 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hour weekly lectures/seminars (or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 2 | Lecture Exam revision session |
| Guided Independent Study | 36 | Readings for seminars and tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 15 | Research & preparation for seminar discussion activity |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Researching and developing essay plan |
| Guided Independent Study | 45 | Researching and writing essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 500 words | 1, 3-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 80 | 2,500 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Seminar Discussion map | 10 | 200 words as part of group preparation | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Seminar participation | 10 | Weekly as part of group discussion | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (2500 words) | Essay (2500 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Seminar Discussion Map 200 words | Seminar Discussion Map 200 words | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Seminar Participation | Mitigation/referral | 1-6 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Corsín Jiménez, Alberto, ed. 2008. Culture and well-being: Anthropological approaches to freedom and political ethics. London: Pluto.
Ahmed, Sara. 2010. The promise of happiness. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
Diener, Edward, and Eunkook M. Suh. 2000. Culture and subjective well-being. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Fischer, Edward F. 2015. The Good Life: Aspiration, Dignity, and the Anthropology of Wellbeing. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Jackson, Michael. 2011. Life within limits: Well-being in a world of want. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
Robbins, Joel. 2013. “Beyond the suffering subject: Toward an anthropology of the good.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (N.S.) 19 (3): 447–62.
Skidelsky, Robert, and Edward Skidelsky. 2012. How much is enough? The love of money and the case for the good life. London: Penguin.
Suh, Eunkook M., and Shigehiro, Oishi. 2004. “Culture and subjective well-being: Introduction to the special issue.” Journal of Happiness Studies 5 (3): 219–22.
Thelen, T., 2015. Care as social organization: Creating, maintaining and dissolving significant relations. Anthropological Theory
Hallam, Elizabeth and Tim Ingold (eds.). 2007. Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Oxford: BERG
Kavedzija, Iza and Harry Walker. 2016. Values of Happiness: Towards an Anthropology of Meaning in Life. HAU Books, University of Chicago Press.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/12/2016 |
| Last revision date | 31/01/2022 |
