Lehrveranstaltungen S2013

Für Bachelor Studenten (2nd semester undergraduates):
Core Reading in Social and Cultural Anthropology / “Zentrale Texte”

5,0 ECTS credits
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
Unterrichtssprache: Englisch

Termine: [MO 04.03.2013 15.00-16.30 Ort: Seminarraum D, NIG 4. Stock; MO 18.03.2013, 08.04.2013, 22.04.2013, 06.05.2013, 27.05.2013, 10.06.2013 und 24.06.2013 15.00-18.15 Ort: Seminarraum D, NIG 4. Stock]

Course Content: This seminar series covers some of the foundational texts of Social and Cultural Anthropology. Their analysis shall provide the students with an obviously incomplete genealogy of anthropological thought of the last 150 years or so for two reasons. First, students are expected to gain insights into the emergence and history of Social and Cultural Anthropology in order to critically reflect upon the contemporary state of the discipline. Second, students will also acquire some of the basic techniques for academic work, including the critical reading, analysis and interpretation of social scientific and philosophical texts.

Aim of the Course: As a group, the students will explore the texts of our discipline's founding mothers and fathers in order to create an awareness of what it means to do anthropology and to be an anthropologist in the 21st century. Meanwhile, they are encouraged to develop and consolidate their theoretical standing, analytical skills and methodological reflection.

 

Für Master Studenten (graduates):
Reading Foucault: The Anthropology of Knowledge, Power and Ethics

5,0 ECTS credits
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung; Unterrichtssprache: Englisch

Termine: [MI 06.03.2013 09.45-11.15 Ort: Seminarraum D, NIG 4. Stock; MI 20.03.2013 09.45-13.00 Ort: Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock; MI 10.04.2013, 24.04.2013 und 08.05.2013 09.45-13.00 Ort: Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock; MI 29.05.2013, 12.06.2013 und 26.06.2013 09.45-13.00 Ort: Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock]

Course Content: Michel Foucault’s work – whether endorsed or refuted – has had major impacts on all social sciences. His impact on Social and Cultural Anthropology can be aligned with the rise of Science and Technology Studies and the general post-Writing Culture tendency to follow Laura Nader’s 1972 urge “to study up”. However, in response, both “the social” and “the cultural” were rigorously defended, not least by Marshall Sahlin’s (in)famous booklet "Waiting for Foucault". This seminar will scrutinize Foucault’s oeuvre from an anthropological perspective. It will give much space and attention to reading and discussing monographs and lectures from all of his working periods. The seminar wants to contrast this reading with prominent anthropological perceptions of Foucault's work by scholars such as Nikolas Rose, Paul Rabinow and Saba Mahmood. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with Foucault’s thought and influence, thoroughly investigating the fundamental theoretical as much as analytical and methodological issues of power, freedom, knowledge, subjectivity, governmentality and ethics.

Aim of the Course: Students will familiarise themselves with Foucault's work and his impact on Social and Cultural Anthropology. This extended inquiry into one school of thought will strengthen their broader theoretical, analytical and methodological insights. It is hoped that students can use their acquired knowledge for their future academic work.