Reading David Graeber 3102-FRDG
David Graeber died on 2 September 2020, aged 59. He is widely regarded as one of the most insightful contemporary anthropologists and the most original political thinkers on the Left. This course offers a selection from Graeber’s major works, from Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value (2001) to the posthumously published The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (2021; with David Wengrow), not necessarily in chronological order. The texts span from historical ethnography of Madagascar, to ethnographic reflections on contemporary anarchist and anti-capitalist movements, in which Graeber was actively involved, to monumental projects in which he attempted no less than to rewrite the history of global civilization. Several themes that interested Graeber throughout his career run across these works: value, social organisation, hierarchy, authority, rebellion, democracy, capitalism and its radical alternatives. The structure of the course assumes we will read one or two chapters from each or most of the selected books, and the students are encouraged to read further according to their individual interests. A full bibliography of David Graeber’s work covering much more that could be included in a semester-long seminar is available on the website of the David Graeber Institute.
Type of course
Learning outcomes
Person who completes the course:
KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS [knowledge]
• Basic concepts and ideas developed by David Graeber, including the concepts of society, power, money, debt, work, anarchism and capitalism.
• The importance of Graeber's work for research in political anthropology, economic anthropology, history, philosophy and social sciences.
• The cultural and social context in which David Graeber's work was created.
CAN [skills]
• Critically analyze and interpret David Graeber's texts and relate them to a broader social and cultural context.
• Prepare academic papers and oral presentations in a foreign language in the scope of sources and literature used by the student.
• Present information on social, political and economic phenomena in the perspective of David Graeber's works.
IS READY TO [social competence]
• Critical evaluation of David Graeber's work and its usefulness for research and practice in the fields of political anthropology, economics, philosophy and social sciences.
• Counteracting racial, ethnic, religious and ideological discrimination in the social environment.
• Assess the role and impact of David Graeber's theory on society and culture.
Assessment criteria
Main: Written essay (max 2,500 words) on any topic as long as it engages with David Graeber’s concepts, questions or ideas discussed during the course.
Additional: Oral presentation; attendance; class activity.
Bibliography
For the recquired readings - see the list of topics in the current semester.
A full bibliography of David Graeber’s work covering much more that could be included in a semester-long seminar is available on the website of the David Graeber Institute: https://davidgraeber.org/
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: