Course Atlas Fall 2009 | Department of Anthropology
Undergraduate Courses
Graduate Courses
ANT 101: INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
MWF: 10:40-11: 30 MAX: 125 Gouzoules
Content: Who are we? What is human nature? Are we uniquely different from other species? How did we evolve? The discipline of Anthropology attempts to answer these and many other questions about human origins and about the variation that exists in living human populations through a holistic study of both biological and cultural diversity through time. In this course we will survey the 4 major subfields of modern anthropology (cultural, biological, linguistic and archaeological) but we will weave them together using an integrative and multi-disciplinary approach to understand both the evolution of our species and the history and diversity of modern humans. We will explore topics through readings, films, and discussions.
THIS COURSE SATISFIES THE HISTORY, SOCIETY, AND CULTURES AREA (HSC) OF THE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCES AND WILL BE PARTICULARLY OF INTEREST TO PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENTS.
Texts: Kottack, Conrad. Anthropology, the Exploration of Human Diversity. 12th edition. Additional readings will also be assigned.
Particulars: Grading will be based on class exams, quizzes, and a final examination.
ANT 150-000: Cultures of Africa [AFS 150]
MWF 9:35-10:25 MAX: 25[ANT 150] / 10[AFS 150] Little
Content: Africa is a massive continent with a wide range of different cultures, languages, and historical traditions. To explore the great diversity of the numerous cultural traditions of Africa, we begin with the historiography of Africa from the dawn of humankind to creation of modern African nations. Then we will turn to regional case studies, African literature, film, and music to further explore several cultural traditions from the continent. In the final part of the course students will conduct original research on the cultural dynamics of critical issues facing contemporary Africans. The objective of this course is to introduce students to the rich diversity of African cultural traditions, and to equip students with the African Studies and Anthropology research skills necessary for further explorations into the Cultures of Africa.
Texts: TBA.
Particulars: 1 mid-course exam, 3 class quizzes, 1 book review, research paper & presentation.
ANT 150-001: Cultures of Southeast Asia
MWF 12:50-1:40 MAX: 35 Peletz
Content: This course offers anthropological perspectives on Southeast Asia, a region that includes the nation-states of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Because this world area has long been known for the relatively “high status of women” and a good deal of pluralism with respect to gender and sexuality, we will be looking at the dynamics of gender and sexuality -- including the vicissitudes of heteronormativity, same-sex relations, and transgender practices -- in some depth. Readings and discussions, which will follow a rough historical trajectory, will also address various aspects of colonialism, race, religion (especially Islam), nationalism, and governmentality, and selected theoretical debates bearing on the ways in which these and other phenomena are keyed to Southeast Asians’ experiences, understandings, and representations of modernity.
Particulars: Evaluations will be based on: (a) class participation; (b) a map quiz; (c) a midterm; (d) a take-home essay assignment (of approx. 15-18 pages); and (e) a final exam.
Prerequisites: Anthropology 202 is highly recommended. This course is not recommended for 1st-year students.
ANT 190-001 Freshman Seminar: The Past, Present, and Future of Food and Population
MWF 2:00-2:50 MAX: 16 Hadley
Content: Is there enough food for everyone in the world? What is the relationship between food availability and population growth? How many people were on the earth 200,000 years ago? How many will be on the earth in 25 years? And, will there be enough food to feed us all?
In this freshman seminar we will examine these enduring questions about the global food supply, the number of people the earth can support, and the relationship between food and population. We will adopt an “individual to society” approach and attempt to trace the links between food and population at both the individual level and the population level. That is, how does nutrition affect the fertility of individuals? How does nutrition affect mortality rates? And, at the population level, what is the link between food availability and population growth. We will also adopt an anthropological perspective that encourages looking back in time to understand what populations were like in prehistory. Along the way we will learn some basics of demographic research and analysis, theoretical perspectives from biological anthropology, and basic information about the past, present, and future of the food supply and population. This is a seminar, which means that most of class involves discussion of readings.
ANT 201-000: Concepts and Methods in Biological Anthropology
TTH 10:00-11:15 MAX: 125 Kingston
Students must enroll in a lab section:
201 L-A: M 2:30-4:30 Faculty
201 L-B: T 2:30-4:30 Faculty
201 L-C: W 2:30-4:30 Faculty
201 L-D: TH 2:30-4:30 Faculty
Content: Biological Anthropology offers a broad perspective for studying the adaptation and evolution of the human species. Lectures and laboratory sessions examine the role of evolutionary theory in biological anthropology, focusing on such topics as primate biology and behavior, primate evolution, the fossil evidence for human evolution, genetic evidence for biological variability, physiological evidence for adaptation to diverse environments, the role of nutrition and dietary preferences in human evolution, the biological basis for modern human behavior, and the transition to modern lifestyles. We will discuss the evidence used to interpret human adaptation in the past. How do anthropologists interpret behavior from an artifact or fossil remains? Why do some biochemists search for our ancestral “Eve”? What can we learn about ourselves from the study of nonhuman primates? What can evolutionary biology tell us about human behavior? We then shift this evolutionary and adaptive perspective to fundamental aspects of the human species, beginning with human adaptability and plasticity and continuing with population differences in heritable adaptation to food resources, climate and disease. Armed with this deeper understanding of human variation, we will examine critical and often controversial topics such as biological insights into diet and health, race and racism, sexual behavior, stress, cooperation and violence.
Texts: TBA
Particulars: Students must enroll in a lab section.
ANT 202-000: Concepts & Methods in Cultural Anthropology
TTH 11:30-12:45 MAX: 35 Ozawa-de Silva
Content: This course will explore key concepts and methods in cultural anthropology. We will discuss theoretical issues related to the field, study ethnographic method, and read various ethnographies of different societies, countries and local people living in these places. Students will learn both theoretical knowledge in anthropology and practical experience in ethnographic analysis through class lectures, discussion, written papers, viewing and analyzing ethnographic films, and original ethnographic research. Students are expected to read texts thoroughly and critically before class and bring at least two questions for discussion. Class discussion and presentations will be crucial in earning skills for critical analysis. This course will provide students with a foundation for pursuing other more advanced anthropology courses and is therefore suited for those whose major or minor is anthropology.
Texts: Several books to be assigned. Selected journal articles and chapters.
Particulars: This course requires intensive participation from students which includes class discussion and presentations. A mini-ethnography will be conducted as a part of the class. There will also be several papers, a mid-term exam, and a final project based upon the ethnography.
ANT 203-000: Foundations of Linguistics [LING 201]
TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm, MAX: 14 [ANT 203]/21 [LING 201] Pak
Content: What is "language" and how do world languages differ? How do linguists investigate the basic building blocks of human languages? This course introduces students to linguistics, the scientific study of human language systems. We will examine speech sounds (the field of phonetics), the sound systems of languages (phonology), word and sentence formation (morphology and syntax), how language expresses meaning (semantics), and how context influences the interpretation of meaning (pragmatics). Additional topics include historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, language change and language acquisition. The course is a core course for the Linguistics/Psychology Major and the Linguistics Minor, and should be of interest to students of Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy, English and foreign languages.
Texts: O'Grady, W. et al. 2005. Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's.
O'Grady, W. et al. Study Guide: Contemporary Linguistics. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's.
Recommended:
Steven Pinker, The Language Instinct.
Charles Yang, The Infinite Gift.
Particulars: Grades will be based on weekly homework assignments, quizzes, class participation and a final exam.
ANT 240WR: Language and Culture [LING 240WR]
TTH 8:30-9:45 MAX: 10 [ANT 240]/8 [LING 240] Spitulnik
Content: This course focuses on major approaches and concepts in linguistic anthropology, including the ethnography of communication, theories of linguistic relativity, language socialization, language and power, and approaches that intersect with the field of sociolinguistics. We will deal with questions such as: How does language shape culture and the horizons of the thinkable? How do complex relationships between language and culture play out in everyday life? How are social identities and social moralities constructed in language use? How and why are linguistic issues also political issues? Specific topics include: ritual language; political language; multilingualism; language and power; language and the nation; and language and mass media. Ethnographic cases span across Africa, Asia, and the US.
Texts: Basso, K. Western Apache Language and Culture.
Ahearn, L. Invitations to Love: Literacy, Love Letters, and Social Change in Nepal.
articles on electronic reserve
Particulars: This course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement of Emory College. Requirements include regular attendance, active involvement in discussion, reaction papers on assigned readings, short papers based on original data collection and analysis, peer writing reviews, and a 12-15 page term paper based on original research.
ANT 250-000: Anthropology of Today’s World: Fast Food/Slow Food
MWF 2:00-2:50 MAX: 50 Barlett
Content: This course introduces students to the debates and issues surrounding our contemporary industrial food system and the emergence of new practices and critiques that argue for an alternative, more sustainable system. Using both scientific and popular texts, hands-on experience with cooking, farm work, and local markets, students will develop skills to assess the true cost of food and evaluate alternatives. Readings and guest speakers will explore issues of food production (incl. industrial organic, local small-scale, and methods in between), distribution (grocery chains, Whole Foods, farmers markets, CSAs), and changing consumer tastes (Slow Food, seasonality, the “taste revolution”). The health implications of diet choice (both for humans and natural systems) and the experiences of workers will be linked to global implications. The specific focus of this “Anth of Today’s World” will be the hard choices and important opportunities we face as Emory seeks to foster a sustainable food system for the Southeast.
Particulars: Students will demonstrate learning through quizzes, essays, activities, an op-ed piece, and a group project. Students wishing to learn the backstage skills and strategies to put on the Emory Sustainable Food Fair should also register for ANT 386R (1 credit).
Texts: The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Pollan, Penguin.
Fast Food Nation, Schlosser, Houghton-Mifflin.
Chicken: The Dangerous Transformation of America’s Favorite Food, Striffler, Yale.
The Pull of the Earth, Thorpe, AltaMira.
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy, Willett, Free Press
Remaking the North American Food System, Hinrichs and Lyson, Nebraska
There will also be a packet of readings.
ANT 302-000: Primate Behavior and Ecology
MWF 12:50-1:40 MAX: 35 Whitten
Content: This course provides a broad-based, comparative survey of the behavior and ecology of nonhuman primates, focusing on the ecological and evolutionary forces that have shaped the behavior of primate species. Emphasis will be placed on why social systems and behavioral patterns may be adaptive for individual primates, using data from studies of wild primates in their natural habitats. Topics to be considered include feeding and sexual competition, ecology and social organization, sexual behavior and reproductive strategies, parental behavior and infant development, social bonds, communication, and cognition. Classes will consist of lectures, films, and discussions.
Texts: Karen Strier 2003 Primate Behavioral Ecology Third Edition, Allyn and Bacon. Other readings to be announced.
Particulars: Grading will be based on the following: 3 exams: 60% (20% each); assignments and discussion: 40%.
ANT 305-000: The Human Brain
MWF 11:45-12:35 MAX: 100 Konner
Content: This course is an upper level introduction to the basis of complex human behavior in the brain. We will focus on human brain structure and function with a view toward mastering the anatomy that underlies cognition and emotion. We will give significant attention to the phylogenetic context of human brain evolution, with reference to comparative neuroanatomy of primates, other mammals, and other vertebrates. We will then proceed to study the most interesting new model of higher brain function, that of behavioral neurologist Albert Damasio. The overall goal is to master the anatomy underlying higher human capacities, but without losing sight of the ways in which our brain’s evolutionary past can inform our understanding of how that brain works now.
Texts: Nolte, John, The Human Brain: An Introduction to Its Functional Anatomy.(N)
Allman, John, Evolving Brains.(A)
Damasio, Antonio, Descartes’ Error. (D)
Powerpoint Lectures on Blackboard Handouts.
Particulars: Exams: Three hour-examinations and a cumulative final, all True/False and Multiple Choice Grading, 70 percent for the hour-exams (20+25+25) , 30 percent for the final. The third hour exam is optional. Prerequisite – One or more of the following: Anthropology 210, NBB 201/ANT 200, Psych 103, or Psych 110; or permission of the instructor. Recommended for strongly motivated students.
ANT 321-000: Anthropology of Human Reproduction
TTH 11:30-12:45 MAX: 50 Worthman
Content: This course examines human reproduction and reproductive health at the intersection of biological and social processes: it investigates how cultural context interacts with biology to influence how individuals and social groups behave and reproduce. Basic reproductive physiology is reviewed, along with some biology of reproductive behavior. Then, social components of reproduction (sexuality, gender, marriage and kinship) are discussed. Finally, health and illness as they relate to human reproduction are discussed, focusing on maternal-child health, STDs and HIV, contraception, and new reproductive technologies. Group projects in each topical area further demonstrate interactions of cultural context with biology to shape individual behavior, reproductive life history, and reproductive health. Demographic as well as ethnographic levels of analysis are presented. Implications for national and international trends and policies are considered.
Particulars: Prerequisite – Anthropology 201 or 210, or equivalent. Exams – Take-home midterm and final. Papers – Two structured group projects/papers, 5-7 pp.
ANT 325-000: Language, Gender, and Sexuality [LING 333/WS 333]
TTH 11:30-12:45, MAX: 3 [ANT 325]/ 12 [LING 333]/ 3 [WS 333] Tamasi
Content: This course challenges students to ask questions about the way gender and sexuality are determined by and expressed in language. Some specific questions we will address are: How are sexuality and erotic desire expressed in language? How does language shape our experience and understanding of sexuality and sexual difference? Do gay men and lesbians have a language of their own? Are children socialized into gender-specific speech behaviors? Why do we use euphemism to speak about sex, and what do euphemisms communicate? Are certain languages (including English) inherently sexist? We will also look at miscommunication due to gender differences as well as cross-cultural differences in male and female speech styles.
Texts: Graddol, David and Swann, Joan. 1989. Gender Voices. Blackwell.
Tannen, Deborah. 2001. You Just don't Understand: Women and men in conversation. Harper.
Cameron, Deborah and Kulick, Don. 2006. Language and Sexuality Reader. Rutledge.
Articles on electronic reserve.
Particulars: Students will be expected to engage in scholarly discussion of the topics and readings as well as create and carry out their own research projects. Grading will be based on class participation, weekly journal entries, and a final research paper.
ANT 338-000: Global Health: Biosocial Model [GHCS 300]
TTH 4:00-5:15 MAX: 12 [ANT 338]/ 6 [GHCS 300] Worthman
Content: This course surveys the global landscape of challenges to physical and mental health that confront us today, and traces the emergence of biosocial approaches to both explaining and tackling these challenges. A major goal for the class is to develop student skills for navigating the current global health situation in the light of theory and practice in public health and biomedicine, as well as global economics, ecology, and resource availability. To accomplish these aims we will cover five recent insights and emerging dynamics in global health, and critically apply them in a series of case studies. Class assignments will take the form of exercises for which students will consult, evaluate, and integrate multiple information resources to assess the state of our knowledge and write reports and analyses. Information resources specialists will contribute training and guidance throughout the course.
Particulars: Prerequisite – Anthropology 230 or 332. Exams – none. Papers – Seven case study analyses, ranging from 2-6 pp.
ANT 385-000: Special Topics: Religion and Culture: Anthropology of Modern Religion
TTH 4:00-5:15 MAX: 8 [ANT 385]/14 [REL 370]/8 [JS 370]D. Seeman
Content: TBD
Prerequisites: TBD
Texts: TBD
ANT 385-002: Special Topics: Languages of the World [LING 385]
MWF 2:00 - 2:50pm, MAX: 10 [ANT 385]/ 15 [LING 385] Tamasi
Content: This course will address a range of questions about language through an exploration of the following areas: language families and historical relationships, linguistic typology and language universals, sound and structural features of several of the world's languages, and writing systems. We will see how the study of languages can provide a unique view of major events in human history, such as large-scale migrations and sociocultural changes, and will discuss some of the ethnic, social, and political ramifications of language choice.
Texts:Comrie, B., S. Matthews, and M. Polinsky. 2003. The Atlas of Languages, Revised edition. New York: Facts on File.
Comrie, B. 1990. The World's Major Languages. Oxford University Press.
Crystal, D. 2003.English as a Global Language, 2nd ed. Cambridge.
Additional articles on electronic reserve.
Particulars: Grades will be based on participation, presentations, 2 exams, and a final project.
ANT 385-003: Special Topics: Advanced Seminar in Predictive Health and Society
TTH 1:00-2:15 MAX: 18 Lampl
Content: This class addresses the challenges we face in promoting health in our society. It has been estimated that chronic disease is responsible for the largest percentage of medical expenditures nationally. Breaking this pattern involves understanding the beliefs, attitude, and values that influence both individual behavior and efforts to advance healthy life ways. A consideration of practical approaches to decreasing inequality in health will be a central concern in this seminar.
Readings: TBD
Particulars: Prerequisites -- Introduction to Predictive Health and Society recommended. Weekly readings and participation
ANT 385-004: Special Topics: Bioarchaeology: Theory and Methods
TTH 2:30-3:45 MAX: 12 Cambell
Content: By incorporating a wide range of information available from the physical remains of humans from the past including physiological stress, pathology, consumption and activity patterns, injury and violence, as well as long term trends in population well being, researchers of past peoples we can obtain a great deal of information about past societies which is not immediately apparent from other archaeological information and better conceptualize the lives of people living in the past.
The purpose of this course is to critically engage the theoretical bases of bioarchaeology and their methodological applications. We will examine the theoretical and methodological bases of bioarchaeology and overview the range of information that can be obtained through the study of human biological remains from archaeological contexts. This survey course will draw on techniques from a variety of disciplines including human skeletal anatomy, biology, chemistry, archaeology, pathology, demography, and history in order to understand how to reconstruct both individual lives and collective population histories. Although previous knowledge of skeletal anatomy will be useful, it is not a prerequisite. Throughout the course, we will take part in a collaborative process of knowledge creation and critique within bioarchaeology and anthropology more generally through a series of lectures, projects, and class discussions.
Prerequisites: ANT 201 or Permission of Instructor.
Texts: Katzenberg MA, and Saunders SR, eds. (2008) Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton: Wiley-Liss.
White TD, and Folkens PA (2005) The Human Bone Manual. Boston: Elsevier Acadmic Press.
ANT 385-005: Special Topics: Food and Water: Critical Perspectives on Global Crises [ENVS 385/IDS 385]
TTH 1:00 - 2:15 MAX: 9 [ANT 385]/5 [ENVS 385]/4 [IDS 385] Davidson
Content: International experts and media reports in the past few years are warning of an age of “food and water wars,” based on the unforeseen and unprecedented decline in the world food supply, as well as increasing conflicts over access to potable water. This course takes seriously the problems of food and water shortages, while broadening our lens to explore the multiple causes and consequences of such trends. We will examine how people in different parts of the world, past and present, have interacted with food and water. We will look at the production, consumption, and distribution of food, with a particular emphasis on the culture of food; and we will learn about a range of water management systems – and the politics and symbolism of water – in different parts of the world.
Food and water offer intriguing ways to look at a range of related topics: ecological history, class and caste, gender, poverty, science and technology, ethnicity, nationalism, and global capitalism. Food and water are at once the most obvious and among the least explored windows into the shaping of identities, desires, needs, and rights in the contemporary world.
Texts: Priests and Programmers: Technologies of Power in the Engineered Landscape of Bali, J. Stephen Lansing (2007) Princeton.
Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History, Sidney Mintz (1985) Penguin.
Particulars: Prerequisites-- Anthropology 202 or IDS 213 strongly recommended, but not required.
ANT 385-006: Special Topics: Greek and Roman Religion [CL 215/REL 215]
MWF 10:40-11:30 MAX: 10[ANT 385]/10[CL 215]/ 10[REL 215] Blakely
Content: The ancient world was full of gods, from deified ancestors to condescending Olympians: the task of human society was to create productive working relationships with the beings who determined their success, defined their boundaries, and shaped the civic landscape. This course begins in the prehistoric period and concludes with the onset of Christianity in Rome; our tools for the investigation are archaeology, ancient texts, and comparative ethnographic evidence. Ritual types include magic, mystery cults, divination, funerary rites, family cult, civic festivals, and how a man might become a god: along the way, we will examine the relationship between religion, political power, economics, and the landscape. Evaluations include two midterms, one paper, and a final exam.
Prerequisite: Classical mythology, or consent of instructor
ANT 385-007/GHCS 300R: Special Topics: Birth and Global Health
TTH 4:00-5:15 MAX: 10 [ANT 385]/10 [GHCS 300] Foster
Content: Birth is a universal event, but how it is experienced by women varies greatly. In this seminar we will examine birth in the context of global health. First, we will explore the meanings of pregnancy and themes of joy, fear, and pain in childbirth, in different times and cultural contexts. Then we will frame birth as the lens through which we discuss urgent issues in contemporary global health, such as reproductive health, rights, equity, access, and quality of healthcare. We will also explore the work of nurses and midwives who attend birth, in both previous and contemporary historical periods.
Texts: TBA.
Particulars: TBA.
ANT 386-000: Sustainable Food Fair
MW 5:00-6:15 MAX: 18 Barlett
Content: Come be part of making possible the third Emory Sustainable Food Fair and Farmers Market. A student-led tradition, the Fair will be held again this fall and students in this one-credit class will learn the backstage skills and strategies to put on the highly-acclaimed event. Students will read one book together, contact farmers, chefs, and other vendors, create a lively event with music and street layout, design publicity materials, and develop educational experiences for Fair attendees. Past participants in the fair (through ANT 250, Fast Food/Slow Food, or ANT386R, Sustainable Food Fair) may register to participate again if they wish.
The class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00-6:15 for only one month. Students will practice presenting information on sustainable food and will work cooperatively with the Office of Sustainability Initiatives and Emory Dining to put on the event.
Grades will be based on two quizzes, class discussions, teamwork in preparation of fair materials and exercises, and activities surrounding the fair.
Particulars: This is a one credit course.
Text: Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
ANT 390-00P: Special Topics Taken Abroad
MAX: 999 Faculty
ANT 397-00P: Directed Readings
MAX: 999 Faculty
ANT 495B-00P: Honors Research
MAX: 999 Faculty
ANT 497-00P: Directed Research
MAX: 999 Faculty
ANT 500-00P: Proseminar in Anthropology
TTH 4:00-5:15 MAX: 15 Nugent
Content: This course provides a graduate introduction to the field of Anthropology, especially as practiced here at Emory University. We begin with a brief introduction to some of the debates and issues surrounding the analytical scope, theories, and methods of the field of Anthropology. The bulk of the semester will be spent exploring how these wide ranging approaches to Anthropology, epistemology, methodology, theory, and inter-disciplinarity are reflected, translated, and applied in Anthropological research. These engagements with Anthropological scholarship will be enacted in several forms: (1) a pro-seminar, in which various faculty members of the Emory Anthropology Department visit the class to present and discuss their ‘sub-field’ of anthropology and their own scholarly research; (2) weekly precis papers summarizing a selected text from the assigned readings; (3) individual research projects (annotated bibliographies as well as a more integrative ‘review essay’) engaging a range of theories and methodological approaches within their chosen area of scholarship. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend scholarly presentations sponsored within the department as well as related campus talks, seminars and workshops as they arise over the course of the semester.
Texts: Faculty for each unit will assign classic/highly influential texts as well as their own publications and/or work in progress. No books have been ordered for this course. All published journal articles are available via eJournals on EUCLID. All other required readings will be available via Reserves Direct on EUCLID.
Particulars: Grades will be based on the following: (1) Weekly précis and question papers [50%];(2) Review Essay* [30%]; (3) Class participation [20%]. * Review Essays will be graded by individual faculty experts in concert with the course instructor. By permission only. Enrollments are handled by the Department of Anthropology. This course is limited to Anthropology graduate students.
ANT 555-00P: Research Seminar in Biological Anthropology
TTH4:30-5:30 Max: 15 Kingston
Content: TBD
Texts: TBD
Particulars: TBD
ANT 585-00P: Evolution of the Human Brain and Intelligence
TTH 11:30-12:45 Max: 15 Dietrich Stout
Content: The purpose of the course is to provide an in-depth exploration of scientific approaches to the evolution of human intelligence. This includes the nature of the available evidence, established methods of investigation, and challenges faced by researchers. The focus is on integrating evidence and approaches from biological and cultural anthropology, archaeology, evolutionary biology and neuroscience. The course opens with a consideration of basic philosophical issues surrounding the study of human cognition. This is followed by sessions devoted to understanding brain size, structure and function; comparative neuroanatomy; brain development and evolutionary biology, the “social brain”, and multidisciplinary approaches to the evolution of distinctive human characteristics like language, technology, music and mathematics.
Particulars: Counts as an elective core course for Anthropology (biological).
ANT 585-01P: Themes and Approaches in Latin American History: New Paradigms, Old Trends [HIST 562R/ILA 790]
Tu 1:00-4:00 MAX: 3 Lesser
Content: This course is designed to provide participants with methodological and topical approaches to Latin American history via a series of thematic themes spanning the region’s colonial and modern periods (1492-present). The themes will have been chosen to capture both traditional and new approaches to the region’s rich past. Analytical concerns revolve around the relationship between methodology and empirical conclusions and how scholars’ shifting intellectual and political agendas have led them to integrate different disciplinary approaches into the study of history.
Texts: We will read a combination of “canonical” and newer works in the field, generally at the rate of two monographs per week.
Particulars: By permission only.
ANT 585-02P: Exploring Ethnographic Cinema [ILA 790]
Mon. 9:00-12:00 Max: 4 Grimshaw
Content: The course will provide an introduction to issues in ethnographic cinema. Beginning with Haddon’s enthusiastic endorsement of visual techniques and technologies in late nineteenth century ethnographic enquiry, we will assess the different ways that his challenge has been taken up by anthropologists. The course will comprise sessions on key figures in the tradition (for example, Flaherty, Mead, Asch, Rouch, MacDougall and Gardner). Through a close examination of their work, we will address issues concerning the nature of evidence, salvage anthropology, the politics of representation, concepts of participation and collaboration, aesthetics and ethnography.
Texts: Key texts will include:
Grimshaw, Anna The Ethnographer’s Eye (2001)
MacDougall, David Transcultural Cinema (1998)
Ruby, Jay Picturing Culture (2000)
Particulars: By permission only.
ANT 585-03P/HIST 585: Subaltern Citizens and their Histories: Investigations from South and North
Tu 1:00-4:00 MAX: 4 [ANT 585]/ 8 [HIST 585] Knauft and Pandey
Content: The aim of this seminar is to open up fresh avenues of inquiry into questions of subalternity and marginalization, and the political conflicts that flow from these. We will focus on the question of power relations, the production and reproduction of subalternity, and the struggles surrounding this. Central to the exercise is a close attention to history. We shall examine the importance of inherited cultures, discourses and practices, as well as changing resources and contexts, in the making of - and resistance to - particular relations of dominance and subordination.
The seminar seeks to re-frame the discussion on these themes by recasting the subaltern – classically seen in the figure of the Third World peasant – as subaltern-citizen. The positing of ‘citizenship’, statutory or anticipated, restores to the subaltern the position of being a two part subject-object, and recognizes the layered and intricate character of the political structures, institutions and opportunities within which subalternity has been located, reinforced and re-inscribed at different times and in different places. We will take our examples from countries of both the South and the North – South Asia, North and South America, Africa and other areas being studied by participants in the seminar. The histories we wish to engage are the histories of the disfranchised in the broadest sense of that term – in the past and the present: gays, lesbians and transsexuals; dispossessed indigenous communities; New York taxi drivers; Rajasthani laborers in Delhi; African-American and Dalit women; African-Americans, Dalits and women, to take a few examples from India and the USA alone. In one frame, these are histories of the homeless, the uninsured and the marginalized (and these are always relative terms, as we know very well); in another, of materially more comfortable citizens who are even so not allowed to be part of the polis or city, that is to say, citizens in the classic sense.
The point of the seminar is not to cover the entire spectrum of subaltern conditions and histories in different parts of the world, but rather to recognize the variation and sophistication of inherited histories and cultures; religious, political and economic rituals; states and state policies; and to underline the highly differentiated character of subaltern
Particulars: By permission only.
Anthropology 797R: Directed Readings
By permission only. Please obtain form in Room 207 Anthropology. All enrollments are processed through Anthropology.
Anthropology 798R-: Advanced Research
By permission only. Please obtain form in Room 207 Anthropology. All enrollments are processed through Anthropology.
Anthropology 799R: Dissertation Research
By permission only, and for students admitted to Doctoral Candidacy. Please obtain form in Room 207 Anthropology. All enrollments are processed through Anthropology.