Cultural anthropology as a science (original) (raw)
Related papers
HUMA5780 – Critical Approaches to Cultural Anthropology
Anthropology is at a crossroad; in the twilight of the human as the nuclear bomb increasingly replaces the nuclear family in defining who we are and how we feel, anthropologists are claiming for the venerable discipline a special status in explaining why the end of the human sciences spells new promises for all creatures, living or otherwise. In this course we walk – totter down, more precisely – the path of modern anthropology to trace the intended shifts and unexpected turns that mark this young – and notorious – discipline from its early days to the present. Texts are chosen primarily for their innovative and rounded arguments; but accessibility – even enjoyability – is also considered. The order of their arrangement is not necessarily chronological, though a cursory look will reveal a rough chronology. The ethnographies are chosen for their demonstration of the breath-taking diversity of the anthropological enterprise; they show an impressive variety of the approaches adopted by anthropologists in the study of societies, cultures, and more often than not, the limit of humanity. How can we come to grips with the present by engaging with the past? How do we explain death in the age of atomic and H-bombs using theory fashioned us by the Zuni and the Guayaki? Does anthropology teach us how to live, or how we cannot not die?
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 1994
When Jere Haas called me up and invited me to address this gathering, I told him that I was honored, but that I had a potentially disqualifying handicap. Since the last time I gave the luncheon talk, at the AAPA meetings in Philadelphia ten years ago, I had become the Editor of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology; and the AJPA's editor is supposed to be impartial and not harbor any ulterior preferences for one set of ideas over another. I hesitated to run the risk of being seen in public having any opinions about anything. After thinking it over, I felt that I ought to talk about something that would be interesting to the members of this Association, but not have any direct bearing on anybody's scientific research. So I decided to talk about anthropology.
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Fall 2019)
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts anthropologists use to describe human interactions. We will acquire a vocabulary of terms, a sense of the history of the discipline and a chance to debate specific points of view proposed by the discipline. The relevance of anthropological systems approach to current events is a central challenge of the course. The instructor is committed to helping students formulate and express their own views and to consider what kinds of possibilities for involvement and responsibilities might be associated with their viewpoint.
Anthropology supplement (November 2014)
bring together a diverse range of ethnographies that examine and explore the forms of reflection, action, and interaction that govern the ways different contemporary societies create and challenge the limits of reason.
Current Debates in Anthropology-2024
2024
This course aims to give participants a thorough understanding of the anthropological perspectives of the late 20th and 21st centuries. It explores current debates and commonly used concepts. The course content encompasses not only recent contributions but also the classic social theories of the 21st century, which are essential for engaging in ongoing discussions.