People of the World: The Cultures of Globalization and Change

Catalog description

Culture is a central part of all human life. It shapes our identity, our worldview, and how we make sense of the world. Yet in an increasingly globalized world, cultures are rapidly changing as they come into contact with global economies, media, and transnational social forces. Through the use of ethnographic sources, films, and anthropological theory, this course emphasizes intensive study of select ethnographic regions around the globe and across time, paying particular attention to processes of cultural change, diffusion and the impact of globalization. We conduct in-depth analyses of the practices and beliefs of these cultures and consider how cultural change is impacting their lives. Topics covered will include ethnic and religious conflict, economic inequality, borders and migration, development, globalization, colonialism, environmental damage, and transnational social movements.