Social and Cultural Anthropology

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. (ANTH 2351) Social and Cultural Anthropology. COURSE OVERVIEW. Provides overview of the field of social and cultural anthropology, exploring the diverse ways that human cultures shape experience across the globe, and the anthropological theory and research that attempt to understand this process. Through an exploration of different cultures, examines the major dimensions of cultural variation, including subsistence, family structure, political systems, language, religion and more. Fosters critical evaluation of cultural theories and different perspectives while promoting respectful discussion of complex and provocative topics. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. TOPICS AND THEMES. Key themes include culture, ethnographic methodology and the tension between relativist and universalist perspectives. Additional topics include kinship, family structure, gender, religion, language, subsistence, political systems, race, colonialism and applied anthropology; also taught at Galveston campus.