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  3. Keeping the Body in Mind

Keeping the Body in Mind (ANTH20001)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2025

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Overview

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This subject introduces a wide range of anthropological interests in the human body from a comparative ethnographic perspective. It explores topics such as body image and eating disorders, trans/gendered bodies, sporting/dancing bodies, body modifications, consciousness and the body/mind continuum, commodified bodies, disabled bodies and body healing. We will investigate how the human body is individually and culturally constructed and socially experienced through a critical examination of a range of ethnographic and theoretical literature, as well as through the student's own bodily experiences and their exploratory field research.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should:

  • Appreciate how a critical comparative perspective and a tradition of ethnographic enquiry can inform developments in theories of the body
  • Articulate an understanding of a range of debates on the relations between bodies, minds, and the social, cultural and physical environments in which they circulate
  • Be able to communicate effectively in a variety of written and oral formats
  • Work reflexively and independently to appreciate the huge diversity of bodies in the world as well as a large (and sometimes challenging) range of beliefs, ideas and experiences people have with bodies and their parts.

Last updated: 14 March 2025