Unit 2623: Advanced Concepts in Anthropology

1. Introduction to Evolutionary Anthropology

• Principles of evolutionary anthropology
  • Natural selection and adaptation
  • Human evolution: key milestones
  • Genetics and its role in shaping human behavior and physical characteristics

2. Functionalism in Anthropology

• Definition and historical context
• Key proponents: Bronisław Malinowski, A.R. Radcliffe-Brown
• Functions of social institutions and cultural practices
• Contribution to societal stability and cohesion

3. Structuralism and Post-structuralism

• Overview of structuralism
  • Concepts and methodology
  • Claude Lévi-Strauss: myths, binary oppositions, and cultural structures
• Post-structuralism in anthropology
  • Michel Foucault: power, knowledge, and discourse
  • Critiques of structuralism and implications for cultural studies

4. Cultural Materialism

• Introduction to the theory
• Marvin Harris’s contributions
• Relationship between material conditions and culture
  • Technology, environment, economy
• Case studies illustrating cultural materialism

5. Symbolic Anthropology

• Focus on symbols, rituals, and meanings
• Anthropologists: Clifford Geertz, Victor Turner
• Interpretation of symbolic systems
• Role in shaping social identity and cohesion

6. Feminist Anthropology

• Overview and historical development
• Critiques of traditional gender roles in anthropology
• Analysis of power dynamics in societies
• Representation of women in ethnographic research

7. Postcolonial Theory in Anthropology

• Definitions and key concepts
• Impact of imperialism and colonialism on anthropological research
• Power dynamics and voice in ethnography
• Representation and agency of marginalized communities

8. Ethnography and Participant Observation

• Ethnographic research methods
  • Participant observation: techniques and challenges
  • Fieldwork preparation and data collection
• Ethical considerations in anthropological research
• Writing and presenting ethnographic findings

9. Anthropology of Globalization

• Defining globalization and its anthropological relevance
• Effects on cultures, economies, and identities
• Topics: transnationalism, migration, cultural hybridity
• Role of technology in global cultural connections

10. Applied Anthropology

• Definition and scope
• Using anthropological theories and methods to address social issues
  • Healthcare disparities
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Cultural preservation
• Case studies and real-world applications