SUBJECT
Title
Cognitive Anthropology
Code
CCNM17-CM-106
Type of instruction
lecture
Level
Master
Part of degree program
Credits
2
Recommended in
Semester 3
Typically offered in
Autumn semester
Course description
„Cognitive anthropology is the study of the relation between human society and human thought.” -Roy D’Andrade, The Development of Cognitive Anthropology
The aim of this course is to present some of the main themes of contemporary cognitive anthropology and the various ways how to use an interdisciplinary approach of cognitive science and anthropology.
Main focuses are:
- introduction of research strategies of contemporary cognitive anthropology;
- introducing research perspectives which are promising in sheding light on muliple relations between human cognition and cultural phenomena.
Topics:
- Anthropology and Representations
- Natural pedagogy: Childhood as a Crucial Period of Acquisition of Cultural Knowledge
- Naiv Theories (Naiv Biology, Naiv Sociology, Naiv Psychology), their Cognitive and Cultural Conditions
- Cognitive Foundations of Religion
Learning outcome, competences
knowledge:
- appropriate knowledge in the main fields of anthropology
attitude:
- is sensitive to and interested in noticing phenomenas and problems of Anthropology
skills:
- analysis and interpretation of anthropology tools
Evaluation of outcomes Learning requirements, mode of evaluation, criteria of evaluation:
requirements
- attendance
mode of evaluation: examination
Readings
- Boyer, P. (2003). Religious Thought and Behaviour As By-products of Brain Function. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 7(3),119-124.
- D'Andrade, R. (1995). The Development of Cognitive Anthropology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Kronenfeld, D. et al. (Eds.). (2011). A Companion to Cognitive Anthropology. New York: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Sperbe, D. (1996). Explaining Culture: A Naturalistic Approach. New York: Blackwell.