Working with Value (ANTH20007)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2023

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Overview

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This subject explores how people come to value things as they do, critically engaging with a range of theoretical and ethnographic literature to ask how value may be created, enhanced and realised in different ways.  Students will be introduced to ways that anthropologists analyse and interpret variation in economic engagement, examining the assumptions about human behaviour that inform classical, political and culturalist approaches to economics, and where these different approaches locate understandings of value. Ethnographic examples will be used to explore topics such as: 'gift' and 'commodity' economies; diverse economies; debt; capitalism and finance and the meaning of 'money' and its effects. Students should become familiar with some of the different ways and reasons people engage in economic behaviour as well as developing a critical approach to the study of capitalism and transnational economic connections. 


Intended learning outcomes

 Upon successful completion of this subject, a student should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of different theoretical approaches within anthropology to analysing economic behaviour, processes, and perspectives.;
  • Critically analyse ethnographic literature on the dynamics of exchange as well ethnographic studies of capitalism and finance;
  • Articulate key debates in economic anthropology regarding processes that are seen as central to transnational economic connections such as liberalisation and commodification;
  • Apply critical and comparative analytical skills in order to understand some of the social and cultural implications of recent developments in economies worldwide on peoples' lives;
  • Systematically evaluate a body of empirical data and identify its theoretical context;
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of oral and written formats.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Anthropology, Development Studies or Social Theory at level 1

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A class paper

  • 750 words
Mid semester20%

A tutorial paper

  • 500 words
During the teaching period20%

An essay outline

Week 115%

An essay

  • 2500 words
During the examination period55%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.Throughout the semesterN/A

Additional details

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

Not available in 2023

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025