- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Cultural Anthropology of the Americas 4219-AW204-OG
The goal of the course “Cultural Anthropology of the Americas” is to:
1. Refresh and expand the knowledge of students with regards to the basics of cultural anthropology, which will make them knowledgeable in the following subject matters:
a) the key research theories, especially with regards to concepts used by researchers, especially in Latin America,
b) research methods,
c) theoretical and practical research categories (kinship structures, ethnic groups, nation);
2. Familiarise the students with the cultural and ethnic diversity of Latin America, the USA and Canada and with research conducted by anthropologists in various regions of the continent on a diverse range of subjects,amongst others:
a) the relationship between pre-Columbian and contemporary cultures,
b) cultural contact in the Amazon,
c) indigenous religions (shamanism, perspectivism, syncretism), the role of the Catholic Church, protestant missions,
d) land rights and conflicts,
e) traditional law,
f) occurrences of ethnocide and genocide.
Topics, which are researched by development, political and legal anthropology, will be discussed. The subject matter will be illustrated with fragments of documentary movies.
Type of course
foreign languages
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
After finishing the course and confirming the fulfilment of the set educational goals, the student:
1. will know the basic conceptual apparatus used in cultural anthropology, the most important theories, concepts and research methods. The student will know the key research problems regarding Americas.
2. will be able to analyse anthropological papers, formulate his/her own opinions and synthesize knowledge by selecting critical data and analysis methods, whilst recognising relations between phenomena. He/she will be able to further expand on specific topics and prepare a written paper on selected subject matters within the field of Latin American anthropology;
3. has social competences: the ability to set priorities to prepare for the exam.
Assessment criteria
credit given for written exam (100%) and presence required in selected lectures
Bibliography
Primary texts (photocopies of texts will be available in the ASC library):
1. Pedro Pitarch, The Labirynth of translation, in: P. Pitarch, S. Speed, X. Leyva Solano (eds.), Human Righths in the Maya Region, Durham and London 2008, p. 91-122.
2. A. Irving Hallowell, Ojibwa ontology, behavior, and world view, in: S. Diamond (ed.), Culture in History, Columbia University Press, 1960, p. 17-46.
3. Charles C. Mann, 1941 The Americas before Columbus, London 2005 (fragment).
4. John Hemming, Die if you must. Brazilian Indians in the Twentieth Century, London, 2003 (fragment).
5. Aparecida Vilaca, Chronically unstable bodies: reflections on Amazonian corporalities, "Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute", 11, 2005, s. 445-464.
7.Fenelon James, Culturcide, Resistance and survival of the Lakota (Sioux Nation), 1998, (fragment).
Supplementary texts:
Selected articles from anthropological journals: general access papers found on the internet and supplied by the lecturer.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: