Course code

HIA6322.HT

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Antropoloogilise mõtte ajalugu

Course title in English

History of Anthropological Thought

ECTS credits

6.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester

Marje Ermel (language of instruction:Estonian)

lecturer of 2026/2027 Spring semester

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

Brief description of the course

The course provides an overview of the development of anthropology and key theoretical developments in the discipline from the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth century. It examines the development of anthropological thought in different historical and social contexts and introduces students to classic paradigms and debates, including evolutionism, functionalism, structuralism, symbolic anthropology, as well as issues related to the crisis of representation and colonialism. The course develops students’ ability to read and interpret anthropological texts, use academic sources and appropriate referencing, and present anthropological ideas in oral, written, and digital form.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- explains how anthropology emerged as an academic discipline and developed from the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth century;
- compares the main theoretical developments and paradigms in anthropology;
- critically analyses the development of anthropological theories, taking into account their historical and social contexts;
- interprets classic anthropological texts, distinguishing between their theoretical premises, empirical material, and argumentation;
- uses academic sources, appropriate referencing, and anthropological concepts when writing a short research paper;
- presents and discusses anthropological ideas orally in seminars and participates in a presentation prepared and performed collaboratively with other students.

Teacher

Marje Ermel

Study programmes containing that course

Anthropology (HTANB/27.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/26.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/25.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/24.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/23.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/22.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/21.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/20.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/19.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/18.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/17.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/16.HT)
Anthropology (HIANB/00.HT)