- History of Anthropological Thought

Catalog description

An inquiry into the central theoretical perspectives, questions, and developments that informed the history of anthropology from the nineteenth-century theories of evolution to the crisis of representation in the 1980s. Focusing on significant scholars and case studies from cultural anthropology, this course explores the different ways in which anthropologists have formulated and understood fundamental questions concerning humanity, culture, and society. Students examine the historical, institutional, and sociopolitical processes that informed theoretical approaches, and study the interconnections among scholars, theories, and concepts. By learning this intellectual heritage, students deepen their understanding of the issues and debates that inform anthropology today. This course challenges students to think and write conceptually, helping them to strengthen their writing in anthropology as preparation for completing the writing requirement in the major. Writing assignments and their evaluation are consistent with the guidelines for Skidmore's writing enhanced courses. This course is designed for majors.