Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Theory in Anthropology: Trends and Current Debates
Course Code
SZF_278
Branch of Science
Social Anthropology; Sociology and social work
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Social Anthropology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Agita Lūse
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
SZF, Kuldigas Street 9C, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To gain insight into the issues raised in social and philosophical theories that determined the topics of anthropological research until the mid-20th century; understand the main concepts and categories used by anthropologists during this period to describe the phenomena under study, and gain an overview of contemporary approaches to these issues.
Preliminary Knowledge
Prior knowledge of modern history and/or cultural history is desirable.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Is familiar with theoretical paradigms and trends that emerged in social and cultural anthropology in the period up to the mid-20th century and have remained relevant in one way or another to this day.
2.Is familiar with the research topics, concepts, and methods characteristic of representatives of these trends.
Individual work and tests
Defending a theoretical position
3.Is able to compare the positions of early authors on specific issues both with each other and with the approaches of contemporary anthropologists.
Individual work and tests
Defending a theoretical position
4.Identifies and is able to critically evaluate the theses and arguments of the authors discussed.
Individual work and tests
Defending a theoretical position • Seminar performance • Report on a topical debate
5.Can explain the cultural-historical and sociological context of theoretical views.
Individual work and tests
Seminar performance
Skills
1.Analyzes theoretical positions in anthropological research and ethnographic texts from different periods, and is able to compare these positions.
Individual work and tests
Defending a theoretical position
2.Discusses orally and in writing the central themes, theoretical issues, and research methods in social and cultural anthropology, both in the early period of the field and today; justifies their position by evaluating the authors' arguments.
Individual work and tests
Seminar performance • Report on a topical debate
Competences
1.Critically evaluates the theories covered in the course, uses the theoretical insights gained to analyze and interpret empirical data, including in other courses and research.
2.Formulates and justifies own views on the issues discussed; reflects on newly acquired knowledge; is able to link the views of the authors discussed with contemporary observations, interpret them, and provide examples.
Individual work and tests
Report on a topical debate • Seminar performance
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Seminar performance |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Short presentations, reflection on studied literature, involvement in discussions, working in groups |
||
|
2.
Report on a topical debate |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Defending a theoretical position |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Anthropology as a discipline in the modern world. World anthropologies
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Sources of knowledge, ethnographic work and theory
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Anthropology and history: complementary disciplines?
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The concept of culture in history and today
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Anthropology and colonialism. Decolonisation of knowledge
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The axis of time, denial of coevalness, construction of otherness
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Notions of social evolution in history and today
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Franz Boas. Cultural relativism then and now
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Race – Biological fiction, cultural fact
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Refutation of evolutionary assumptions in anthropology. The position of David Graeber and David Wengrow
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Neo-evolutionism. Cultural ecology. World systems theory
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The discovery of the “New World” and anthropological discourse. Debates on human nature
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Enlightenment thinkers on culture and civilisation
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The echo of Enlightenment ideas in today's world
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Edward Said on Orientalism. Eric Wolf on “people without history”
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Individuals and social structures. Agency. Identity politics today
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The concept of personhood. Roles and relationships
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Thinking and language. Cultural translatability
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Thinking and acting. Discussions about rationality
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Classification and thinking. Structural anthropology
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Review of the topics covered
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Values: subjective or objective?
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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“Dark” anthropology and anthropology of the good
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Study room
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2
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Topics
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Power and authority. Interests and care. Moral anthropology
|
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Review of the topics covered
|
-
Test
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Barnard, Alan. 2022. History and Theory in Anthropology. Cambridge University Press.Suitable for English stream
2.
Candea, Matei, ed. 2018. Schools and Styles of Anthropological Theory. London: Routledge
3.
Engelke, Matthew. 2019. How to Think like an Anthropologist. Princeton: Princeton University PressSuitable for English stream
4.
Graeber, David, and David Wengrow. 2022. The Dawn of Everything : A New History of Humanity. London : Penguin Books Ltd.Suitable for English stream
5.
Moore, Henrietta L, and Todd Sanders, eds. 2014. Anthropology in Theory. Issues in Epistemology. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10,29, 30, 38. (akceptējams izdevums)
6.
Said, Edward W. 1978. Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books, A Division of Random House. Chapter 1. (akceptējams izdevums)
7.
Fabian, Johannes. 2014. Time and the Other : How Anthropology Makes Its Object. New York: Columbia University Press. (akceptējams izdevums)
8.
Robbins, Joel, Nicolas Langlitz, Emir Mahieddin, Erica Weiss, Corinna Howland, Bruce Knauft, and Cheryl Mattingly. 2023. “Anthropology Bright and Dark: Relativism, Value Pluralism, and the Comparative Study of the Good.” Social Analysis 67 (4): 43–100.
Additional Reading
1.
Darnell, Regna. 2022. History of Theory and Method in Anthropology. Lincoln: Lincoln University of Nebraska Press.Suitable for English stream
2.
Sinha, Vineeta. 2021. “Annihilating the ‘Savage Slot’ from Anthropology. Materializing Reflexive Practices.” HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 11 (1): 264–72.Suitable for English stream
3.
Carrithers, Michael. 2005. “Anthropology as a Moral Science of Possibilities.” Current Anthropology 46 (3): 433–56.
4.
Sahlins, Marshall. 1999. “Two or Three Things That I Know about Culture.” The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 5 (3): 399–421.
Other Information Sources
1.
Venkatesan, oumhya. 2019. “Violence and Violation Are at the Heart of Racism: The 2017 Debate of the Group for Debates in Anthropological Theory, Manchester.” Critique of Anthropology 39 (1): 12–51.Suitable for English stream
2.
McGee, R (Reece) Jon. 2013. Theory in Social and Cultural Anthropology : An Encyclopedia. Edited by Richard L Warms. Sage Publications, Inc.