Schedule of Readings

Note: All readings are either from required course texts or on reserve in the Bailey-Howe Library or the Anthropology Department office (509 Williams Hall)

Seeking tips on reading for this course? See my 'Reflections on Reading for this Class'

 

Problem #1: Why should we, and how can we, know other cultures?

Mon.. 7/1: Talking About People

Film: "Babakiueria"

No reading

Tues. 7/2: Dimensions of Culture

Handout: Regina vs. Mudarruba

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 1-19.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 1-14, 19-23.

Wed. 7/3: Symbolic Action, Language, and Interpretation

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 20-29.

2. Haviland, et. al. , pp. 28-34, 47-57.

Thurs. 7/4: Ethnographic Field Methods

Reading: 1. Haviland, et. al., pp. 15-18, 128-29, 190-91, 168-71, 230-1.

Problem #2: Why are some societies seemingly "more advanced" than others?

Mon. 7/8: Modes of Subsistence and Adaptation

Film: "Second Nature"

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 33-45.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 78-86.

Tues. 7/9: Exchange, Reciprocity, and Capitalism

In-class Activity: The Bean Game

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 46-69.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 92-104.

Problem #3: Why is the nation-state the dominant political form?

Wed. 7/10: Forms of Political Organization

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 71-96.

Thurs. 7/11: The Politics of Colonialism

Film: "Trobriand Cricket: An Ingenious Response to Colonialism"

Reading: 1. Haviland, et. al., pp. 172-89.

Problem #4: How do we explain the radical differences between people in what they believe?

Mon. 7/15: World Views and Ritual Practices

Film: "Holy Ghost People"

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 99-135.

Tues. 7/16: Religious Symbols, Conflict, and Change

Reading: Haviland, et. al., pp. 192-203.

Problem #5: What does it mean to be in a family?

Wed. 7/17: The Forms and Functions of Kinship

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 139-56.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 130-47.

Thurs. 7/18: Gender Roles and Sexuality

In-class Activity: Gender roles exercise

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 158-67.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 109-24.

Problem #6: How do people determine and communicate who they are?

Mon. 7/22: Concepts of Personhood

Film: "Kawelka: Ongka's Big Moka"

Readings: 1. Robbins, pp. 169-94.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 35-46, 63-66.

Tues: 7/23: Identity Politics

Reading: 1. Haviland, et. al., pp. 58-60, 162-67, 210-13, 221-25.

Problem #7: Why and how do people create and maintain social hierarchies?

Wed. 7/24: Status and Group Membership

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 197-228.

Thurs. 7/25: Maintaining Divisions

In-class Activity: TBA

Reading: 1. Haviland, et. al., pp. 148-61.

Problem #8: How do societies create and manage conflict?

Mon. 7/29: Violence and Culture

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 231-56.

Tues. 7/30: Managing Conflict

Film: "Little Injustices"

Reading: 1. Haviland, et. al., pp. 204-7, 226-29.

Problem #9: What is the future of cultural diversity, and anthropology's study of it?

Wed. 7/31: Cultural Diversity and Anthropology

Reading: 1. Robbins, pp. 259-72.

2. Haviland, et. al., pp. 238-40, 245-48.

Thurs. 8/1: Final Exam