Problemáticas em Antropologia (not translated)
Code
73200101
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Antropologia
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
João de Freitas Leal, Maria Cardeira Silva, Paula Godinho
Weekly hours
2
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
The objetive of the seminar is to present some of the main characteristics and challenges of contemporary anthropology.
The seminar comprises three modules. The objective of the first module is to discuss some topics which have a relevant role in more general anthropological discussions: hybridization; the nature of the social; contemprary configurations of culture; and the relationship between theory and critical thought. The second module addresses transformative processes in anthropology activated by the end of modern colonialism: subaltern critiques of universalism and positivism; the feminist thematization of alternative expressions of feminine identity; and concepts and discussions about diaspora. The third
module is dedicated to critical anthropology and focus on three main topics: the role of practices in context; the study of processes that link together culture and time; and the role of agency in social life.
Prerequisites
None
Subject matter
1. Contexts and debates in contemporary anthropology: an overall perspective. Characherizing contemporary anthropology.
Some transversal debates. Why do we talk about hybrids? The nature of the social. Culture is just an emblem? Theory and utopy.
2. Disruptions in anthropology after the end of modern colonialism. Post-colonialism, neocolonialism and colonial nostalgia.
Race and diaspora, Gender, desire and power: subaltern feminisms.
3. Towards a critical anthropology: realities, processes and agents. Realities: looking at culture in neo-liberal times.
Processes: the work of memory and the practices of heritage. Agents: everyday lives, resistance and collective movements.
Bibliography
BISSELL, W., 2005, Engaging Colonial Nostalgia, Cultural Anthropology 20 (2)
BRUBAKER, R., 2002, Ethnicity Without Groups, Archives Européennes de Sociologie XLIII (2)
CLIFFORD, J., 1994, Diasporas, Cultural Anthropology 9 (3)
COMAROFF, J. & J. COMAROFF, 2005, Millennial Capitalism and the Culture of Neoliberalism, Edelman & Haugerud (eds.), The Anthropology of Development and Globalization, Oxford, Blackwell
FABIAN, J., 1996, Time and the Works of Anthropological Knowledge, Amsterdam, Harwood Academic Publishers
LATOUR, B., 1991, Nous NAvons Jamais Été Modernes. Essai dAnthropologie Symétrique, Paris, La Découverte
LATOUR, B., 2005, Reassembling the Social. An Introduction to Actor-Network Theory, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
MAHMOOD, S., 2006. Teoria Feminista, Agência e Sujeito Liberatório, Etnográfica X (1)
NAROTZKY, S. & G. SMITH, 2006, Immediate Struggles. People, Power and Place in Rural Spain, Berkeley, University of California Press
Teaching method
The seminar is structured around the discussion of the bibliographical references indicated for each session. One or two references are to be presented by the students, followed by discussion. In the second hour of each session a lecture articulates the different references and provides an overall view of the topic under discussion.
Evaluation method
Assessment is based on the evaluation of the performance of the students in each module (module one - 50%; module two and three - 25% each). In each module, grading is based upon the evaluation of: a) the students performance in terms of assiduity, participation on the discussions and presentation of references (30%); b) a final essay with a maximum of ten (module one) or five (modules two and three) pages (70%).