Anthropology: Central Theoretical Issues and History of the Discipline

The course will cover a selection of major theoretical developments in social anthropology: from the large issues of the unity of mankind and cultural variability as addressed by evolutionism and diffusionism, to the development of anthropology based on fieldwork and socio-cultural analysis, including the study of communication and interaction. After an overview of major social science thinkers the students will be able to appreciate the distinctive character of antropology within the range of the social sciences. The course will cover British structural functionalism, American cultural anthropology, structuralism, marxism, interpretative anthropology, postmodernism and phenomenology.The course is mandatory for all who wants a bachelor's degree in social anthropology.

Upon completion of this course, students will have acquired knowledge of the history of social anthropology as well as its major theoretical schools and research problems. It will enable them to locate contemporary debates in their historical and theoretical context.

Lectures and seminars (approx. 48 hours). Some of the lectures might be given in English.