Differently Bodied Beings and Ethnographic Encounters (Aut) (L3021A)

15 credits, Level 5

Autumn teaching

This module begins with the “experiencing bodies” at the heart of phenomenology, exploring their forms, what shapes them, and how they live in the world. A key idea is that we understand these bodies—both their similarities and differences—most clearly during encounters, especially when they interact with one another.

You’ll learn to pay close attention to these moments of encounter, developing an ethnographic way of seeing the world. The module encourages you to cultivate this ethnographic sensitivity while exploring encounters with a wide range of beings, including animals, plants, places, humans, ancestors, spirits, aliens, and the divine.

This is a creative and experimental module that imagines a sociology beyond humans. It considers how such a perspective might help us navigate today’s social, political, and ecological crises to collectively sustain life.

Teaching

50%: Lecture
50%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Practical (Portfolio)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 20 hours of contact time and about 130 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.