Course: Introduction to Anthropology I

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Course title Introduction to Anthropology I
Course code KSKA/UAN1
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 6
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)
  • Samek Tomáš, Mgr. M.A., Ph.D.
Course content
Definition of social and cultural anthropology. Subject matter. Beginnings and constitution of social and cultural anthropology. Sub-fields of social and cultural anthropology. Anthropology and biology. Relationship of social and cultural anthropology to social sciences. Physical anthropology. Paleo-anthropology, pre-history. History of social and cultural anthropology and their main movements. Evolutionary and diffusionistic anthropology. American historism, functionalistic anthropology. Configuracionism, study of personality and culture. Structural anthropology, neo-evolutionary anthropology. Movements of current anthropology. Cognitive, symbolic anthropology. Methods and techniques of anthropological research. Field research, participatory observation, guided interview, etc. Culture, social systems. Cultural evolution, adaptation. Matrimony, family, and kinship systems. Economic systems. Production, distribution, re-distribution. Language and society. Religion, magic and mythology. Applied anthropology and its relationship to the environmental problems.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book)
Learning outcomes
The objective of the course is to present the beginnings and development of anthropology and its differentiation to individual fields and sub-fields. Special attention is paid to social anthropology. Explanation of basic terminology and methods of the main anthropological movements is also provided during the course
Students will acquire knowledge necessary for further anthropological study. They will be familiar with anthropological problems and main sub-fields of social anthropology.
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance assessment, Didactic test, Discussion

Assignment is awarded after passing the written test. Overall assessment: Written test (10 questions, 1 point each). At least 6 points are necessary to pass the test, the test re-sit is allowed. Active participation in lectures, presentation of a given topic.
Recommended literature
  • BUDIL, I. Mýtus, jazyk a kulturní antropologie. Praha: Triton, 1992.
  • EMBER, C. R., EMBER, M. Cultural Anthropology. Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall, 1977.
  • MURPHY, R. F. Úvod do kulturní a sociální antropologie. Praha: SLON, 1998.
  • SOUKUP, V. Dějiny sociální a kulturní antropologie. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, 1994.
  • WOLF, J. Člověk a jeho svět. Praha: UK, 1999.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Humanities (2013) Category: Philosophy, theology 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Humanities (2016) Category: Philosophy, theology 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter