SUBJECT
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 1-2.
seminar
master
2+3
Semesters 1-2
Autumn/Spring semester
Course is built on the assumption that cultural anthropology, on one hand, is a discipline that defines itself based on its research subjects (the “primitives”, cultures outside of Europe, etc.), however, on the other hand, it can be regarded as an approach that is commonly used to analyze various social structures and cultural situations. The aim of the “Introduction” course is to demonstrate the potential application of cultural anthropological approach in social research; what cultural anthropology can communicate as “unusual” or unique.
Objective of the course is to familiarize students with the defining nature of cultural anthropology, its trends, specific methods and cultural anthropological theories developed in relation to culture in general and its elements (such as economy, social organization, religion, art, and other forms of consciousness, etc.); to help students recognize the world’s cultural diversity in order to develop sensitivity toward other cultures, prepare them to be able to identify and understand those, and be able to mediate the process of acceptance of social and cultural differences.