Annotation
First, theory can be difficult to grasp, but the aim of this course is to make it accessible because theory helps people understand and transform the world. Anthropology might be said to be characterized by a ‘toss and turn’ dynamic - it has taken a number of intellectual turns. A recent turn, for example, is ontological. It succeeds postmodern reflexive, interpretive, cultural materialist, structural-functional, historical particularist, and unilinear evolutionary turns. These turns reveal vibrant debates among anthropologists and the passion to understand the world.
For a detailed preliminary syllabus, see the pdf attachment (the time of the class and the weekly dates change accordingly to the actual schedule of the academic year! Please refer to the actual schedule published in SIS).
Important notice for the students of the 1st year of the Liberal Arts and Humanities Programme: THIS COURSE DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE THE COMPULSORY INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY. It is designed mostly for the 2nd year students as it can help them with the preparation for the CESS exam.
Course Assignments: 70% Attendance at the weekly seminars. All the readings are uploaded on the course page in MOODLE. You are expected to read all the assigned readings on the day they are listed on the syllabus, and send “talking points” (a brief synthesis of the main points from the day’s readings and a “discussion question[s]” based on those readings, altogether min. 1 PAGE per title. Your talking points and questions must be sent to the Moodle page of this course at least two hours BEFORE each class. Two annotations can be missed without an apology. In total, you have to submit 10 annotations. Till the end of the examination period, you will also turn in a short essay [approx. 5-7 pages] summarizing and comparing arguments of two titles of your choice from the list of required readings, including a section with your own thought and reactions.