ANT 101: Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology
Spring 2009, M,W,F 10:30 - 11:20, Chambers 1027
Office Hours: M, W, 9:30-10:30 am;
T, Th 9:00-10:00 am or by appointment
Telephone: 704-894-2035
email: erlozada@davidson.edu
This course is an introduction to topical areas in the history, theory, and research methods of sociocultural anthropology. In this class, we will read different theoretical articles and overviews on a broad array of subjects within sociocultural anthropology and three ethnographies on specific issues to explore anthropology's disciplinary perspectives. The class will meet three times a week.
Our emphasis will be on the holistic nature of anthropology and anthropological methodology. How do we understand the diversity of societies and cultures in light of our shared physical biology? What is ethnography, and how do anthropologists know what they say they know? How is anthropology especially relevant today? In this class, it is more important to understand the thinking behind the conclusions and ethnographic details rather than memorizing "facts" themselves.