Anthropology: History, Theory, Practice (ANTH20017)

How have anthropological engagements with social and cultural diversity contributed to rethinking some of the most fundamental assumptions of the Western humanities and social sciences across the last 150 years? In this subject, we introduce a global genealogy of anthropological theory to consider some of the key questions raised by anthropologists and to explore their ongoing relevance for contemporary intellectual and political debates. In so doing, we dive into a range of texts from both the centre and the margins of the field, gaining a sharper understanding of different schools of anthropological thought, their relationships to each other, the historical contexts in which they were developed, and their respective strengths and weaknesses. To ground these theoretical critiques, we draw on ethnographic examples from across the world. 

In exploring these examples, students not only learn the history of anthropological thought, but gain exposure to critical questions in social theory that are of enduring interest across the social sciences. 

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Discuss the history of key developments in anthropological theory
• Describe the development and application of theory in ethnographic analyses of diverse social and cultural systems
• Articulate relationships between different schools of anthropological thought and their roles in contemporary debates in anthropology and related fields
• Analyse the strengths and limitations of anthropological theories
• Ask critical questions about the contexts that have shaped and continue to shape the politics of canonisation

Generic skills