Social and Cultural Anthropology subject report · May 2017

May 2017 extended essay reports Page 1 Social and Cultural Anthropology Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0-7 8-15 16-22 23-28 29-36 The range and suitability of the work submitted This session has provided, like previous May sessions, examples of essa ys at varying levels of achievement. It continues to be a concern that while some essays clearly demonstrate a candidate’s anthropological knowledge and understanding, reflecting a good background in the subject, a significant number of essays submitted were not anthropologically grounded, nor did present any anthropological approach. Supervisors themselves appear to be unaware of the expectations and nature of this task, and senior examiners involved in EE assessment in Social and Cultural Anthropology continue to stress the recommendation of not encouraging students to write an essay in the discipline if they have not studied it. Too often it was evident that the students were taking the opportunity to dig deeply into topics that interested them and it is a shame to see how when lacking knowledge in the subject, hard work and sincere effort receive significantly lower marks than might have been expected by both the candidate and supervisor. The lack of a specific anthropological focus hinders an essay’s possibility of attaining high le vels of achievement. Despite the issue above, it is encouraging to read some excellent productions from candidates who developed successful essays, well -grounded in anthropological theory, concepts and sources; applying appropriate theories and methodologies. Areas of anthropological interest that were explored included studies on the body and subjectivity – from different theoretical perspectives - like a very well- informed and focused analysis of self -flagellation as a communally practiced ritual (Shi’a community in Kashmir) or the exploration of non- normative sexualities from post -structuralist approaches. Globalization and modernity also were topics of interest to candidates: Based on the analytical framework of Appadurai’s scapes, an examination of Trobrianders’ cultural resistance to Western colonialism, as well as