Course: Theory in Social Cultural Anthropology

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Course title Theory in Social Cultural Anthropology
Course code KSKA/MTESA
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 7
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Hyánková Tereza, PhDr. Ph.D.
  • Tesař Filip, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Synková Hana, PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
The themes and required reading 1. Introduction to the subject. How do we use the theory? During the first lesson, you are expected to introduce a potential theoretical background of your MA thesis. UPCE electronic resources. Choosing a paper. 2. Constructivism and interactionism - Berger and Luckmann, E. Goffman 3. Symbolic Anthropology, C. Geertz, M. Z. Rosaldo 4. The turn in the study of power - M. Foucault 5. The social space, symbolic power, varieties of capital, the social field. - P. Bourdieu 6. The text and context, shortcomings of discourse analysis - J. Blommaert 7. Literary turn and a discussion of "writing culture" - J. Clifford, R. Handler 8. Performativity, body, Judith Butler 9. founders of science studies, networks of actors - M. Callon 10. Paradigms of linguistic anthropology - A. Duranti 11. Methodology of "reflexive science" - M. Burawoy 12. Ontological turn and the future of anthropology - M. Holbraad, M. A. Pedersen 13. Problem of subject in contemporary anthropology and ethics of research - K. Frank, N. Scheper-Hughes, Final discussion

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book)
  • Participation in classes - 52 hours per semester
  • Home preparation for classes - 40 hours per semester
  • Independent critical reading - 45 hours per semester
  • Preparation of a presentation (report) - 25 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an exam - 18 hours per semester
  • Term paper - 30 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to current trends in the theory of social anthropology, to present discussions among different trends and personalities. Theoretical thinking in anthropology relates to the theory of other disciplines, it is not divided from the philosophy, nor from the economic and political reality of the contemporary world. Given the relatively wide range of theoretical issues and broadness of anthropology, the course will mainly focus on certain theoretical nodes in social anthropology. After completion of this course, students should understand the evolution of a theory, be able to explain the discussed concepts and apply them in their research.
Students will be able to discriminate theoretical problems and apply new knowledge on their own research.
Prerequisites
working with texts in English

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Home assignment evaluation, Student performance assessment, Work-related product analysis, Presentation

"Exam" - Reflections, presentations, presence, activity, plus after the end of the semester oral exam with presentation of two perspectives which were discussed, that can be used particular research. One more perspective from other anthropological sources will be required.
Recommended literature
  • literatura je vyvěšena v materiálech (Goffman, Geertz, Foucault, Butler, Callon, Scheper-Hughes, Burawoy, Yurchak, Comaroff, etc.).
  • Berger P. L., T. Luckmann. Sociální konstrukce reality. Pojednání o sociologii vědění.. Brno: CDK., 1999.
  • Blommaert, J. Discourse. A Critical Introduction, 1-5, 39-67. Cambridge. 2005.
  • Bourdieu, P. Sociální prostor a symbolická moc. Cahiers du CeFReS 8. 1995.
  • Burawoy, M. The Extended Case Method. Sociological Theory 1. 1998.
  • Butler, J. Performative Acts and Gender Constitution. Theatre Journal 4. 1988.
  • Callon, M. Some Elements of a Sociology of Translation, in J. Law (ed.), Power, Action and Belief: A New Sociology of Knowledge, 196-233. London. 1986.
  • Clifford, J. Introduction: Partial Truths, in J. Clifford and G. Marcus (eds.), Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography 1-26. Berkeley and. Los Angeles. 1986.
  • Duranti, A. Language as Culture in U.S. Anthropology. Current Anthropology 3. 2003.
  • Foucault, M. Dějiny sexuality I. Vůle k vědění, 96-120. Praha. 1999.
  • Geertz, C. Zhuštěný popis: K interpretativní teorii kultury, in Interpretace kultur, 13?42. Praha. 2000.
  • Goffman, E. On Face-Work, in A. Jaworski, N. Coupland (eds.), The Discourse Reader 306-20. London. 2001.
  • Ortner, S. B. A theory of anthropology since the sixties. Comparative Studies inSociety and History 1. 1984.
  • Soukup, M. Antropologie. Červený Kostelec. 2019.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester