Anthropology 5626 Instructor: Sharon Kemp

Fall Quarter 1998 Office Hours: 1-2 TTh and

1000-1140 TTh, Cina 214 by appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Theoretical perspectives in anthropology from mid-19th century to the present; examination of several major theorists central to the development of the discipline.

PREREQUISITES

Anth 1604 (Cultural Anthropology) and 70 cr., or permission.

OBJECTIVES

To survey the historical development of anthropological thought.

To review this development in relation to western intellectual history.

To present and critically examine the major types of anthropological theory.

To introduce some of the current trends in theoretical orientations.

AUDIENCE SERVED BY THE COURSE

Students who are majors or minors in anthropology. Upper division or graduate students who are seeking a more intensive exposure to the nature of anthropology as a discipline.

REQUIRED READINGS

Bohannan and Glazer (eds.). High points in Anthropology , 2nd ed. (B&G)

McGee and Warms. Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History (M&W)

Chapter assignments always include chapter and/or section introductions.

Selected Additional Readings, to be assigned

Recommended Reading

There are a number of books in which the various theoretical approaches and theorists are discussed and critiqued. The authors represent different theoretical approaches, so it would be a good idea to look at more than one. Some of these commentaries have been used in this course in the past. Students find them particularly useful for building class presentations and clarifying difficult ideas. You may also want to look at complete works. For example, while reading Morgan’s "Ethnical Periods" (M&W) and "Ancient Society" (B&G) it is instructive to look at their context in his book, Ancient Society, from which these excerpts are taken. Many of these books are also in the library.

Suggested Commentaries:

Barrett, Anthropology: A Student Guide to Theory and Method

Clifford and Marcus, Writing Culture

Marcus and Fischer, Anthropology as Cultural Critique

Harris, The Rise of Anthropological Theory

Honigmann, The Development of Anthropological Ideas

Kaplan and Manners, Culture Theory

Kuper, Adam Anthropologists and Anthropology

Lett, The Human Enterprise

Manners and Kaplan, Theory in Anthropology

Voget, A History of Ethnology

EVALUATION AND GRADING

Participation (and its quality) in seminar discussions. 30% 60 pts.

Panel Presentation and Paper 20% 40 pts.

Assignments of selected readings. 30% 80 pts.

includes 5 written essays and 1 class presentation

Final Examination 20% 40 pts.

SPECIAL FACILITIES AND/OR ARRANGEMENTS

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptations of methods, materials or testing may be made as required.

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING SCHEDULE

FINAL EXAM, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1200-1355

For the second and third sections of the quarter, there are five required written assignments and one class presentation to be selected in the following manner: If you give the class presentation which introduces a theoretical perspective, you will not write a synopsis for the theorist holding that point of view.

You will select only one of the three--cultural ecology, Steward or White

Presentation Theorist

_ 9/24 Evolution

_ 9/29 Historical Particularism