Introduction to the anthropology of disasters. The course takes a critical look at the anthropological issues surrounding human and natural catastrophes. We examine how anthropologists have conceptualized the concept of disasters in different cultures, while addressing the main themes associated with this body of literature. The course produces a critical engagement with the theoretical frameworks and methodological tools used by disaster anthropologists.
Anthropology of Japan
Introduction to anthropological perspectives on contemporary Japan. This course takes a critical look at national and foreign representations of Japanese society. Using a thematic approach, we will explore issues that have fascinated anthropologists in Japan, including the construction of identity, cultural hegemony, post-war economic expansion, gender issues and sexuality, popular culture, political movements, indigenous people and disaster management.
Anthropology of Consumption
Modern society is often described as a “consumer society” where goods and services are consumed within a capitalist economy. This course offers an anthropological perspective on this phenomenon by examining the material and symbolic relationships that human beings have with their objects of consumption. The course explores the concept of consumption from cultural, emotional, political and ecological angles. Using case studies from various societies in the world, the class emphasizes a range of contemporary issues, such as identity discourses, energy productions, or the sources of violence generated by daily consumption practices.
Research Technique and Ethnography
This course familiarizes students with the basic steps of anthropological research. It introduces different aspects of the research process, as well as the main ethnographic methods used in sociocultural anthropology. It equally takes into account the theoretical, practical and ethical aspects of ethnography.
Ecological Anthropology
This course examines the complex relationships between human beings and their environment from an anthropological perspective. We will address the particular set of theoretical and ethical concerns that surrounds contemporary environmental problems. In this, we will ask specific thematic questions, such as what is nature, how do we get to know about the environment, or how can humans delve in a permanently polluted world? By embracing the hallmark skills of anthropological research, the course underscores the different human experiences, beliefs, constructs, and behaviors that shape ecological matters. At the end of this class, students will have developed their own critical perspectives to analyze pressing environmental issues.