TLÜ ÕIS

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Course code

HIA6321.HT

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Sissejuhatus kultuurantropoloogiasse

Course title in English

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ECTS credits

6.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

Anthropology has been historically associated with the comparative study of culture – of studying how notions and concepts that define a reality in one particular place contrasts and complements with similar notions in other contexts. Given the diversity of social realities in the world, anthropologists have promoted the methodology of “cultural relativism” - the notion that there are a variety of forms to live in the world and that these forms must be understood in their cultural context – as a means to understand differences and commonalities across cultures.
In this course, we'll be examining particular theoretical and ethnographic cases where we'll be able to appreciate various levels of anthropological thought and its implications. Some of the questions that we will be addressing throughout the semester will be:
What are the main ideas about social and cultural life that have been promoted by sociocultural anthropology?
What perspectives and contributions has sociocultural anthropology done to the study of social relations, with a special emphasis on a global perspective?
To what degree should cultural relativism influence our moral and political decisions?

Brief description of the course

Anthropology has been historically associated with the comparative study of culture – of studying how notions and concepts that define a reality in one particular place contrasts and complements with similar notions in other contexts. Given the diversity of social realities in the world, anthropologists have promoted the methodology of “cultural relativism” - the notion that there are a variety of forms to live in the world and that these forms must be understood in their cultural context – as a means to understand differences and commonalities across cultures.
In this course, we'll be examining particular theoretical and ethnographic cases where we'll be able to appreciate various levels of anthropological thought and its implications. Some of the questions that we will be addressing throughout the semester will be:
What are the main ideas about social and cultural life that have been promoted by sociocultural anthropology?
What perspectives and contributions has sociocultural anthropology done to the study of social relations, with a special emphasis on a global perspective?
To what degree should cultural relativism influence our moral and political decisions?

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- has been offered an introduction to sociocultural anthropology to those researchers that have not covered basic issues of anthropology and to offer an advanced over view of concepts to those that are already familiar with the possibilities of the discipline;
- is able to explore the impacts that anthropological concepts have had to the study of societies, particularly its connections to other human sciences;
- has been offered a study environment that stimulates disciplined intellectual analysis, organised research, discussion skills, writing skills in a spirit of critical thinking;
- is able to use anthropological methods and theoretical approaches to critically observe and analyse societal and cultural environment;
- is able to see the society as a whole and to understand the value of comprehending societal issues contextually;
- is able to work both independently and as part of a team and express oneself both orally and in written form.

Teacher

Polina Tšerkassova

Study programmes containing that course