Anthropology 4120 (DSS, CI)
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"...every anthropologist owes to the world, for the privilege of having been an anthropologist, at least one good ethnography." Goldschmidt, W. (1976:1) Culture and Behavior of the Sebei. Berkeley: University of California. |
This course offers a novel perspective on the lives of children and
their families, on dozens of issues in the study of children and their
families, the anthropological perspective—informed by current thinking
in culture and human evolution—undermines academic and popular
wisdom regarding what is “natural” or normal. Indeed, both
theoretical and practical ideas about children’s development in
contemporary mainstream society are shown to be quite culture-bound.
Systematically, we will draw on a vast literature in anthropology, history
and primatology to construct a representative and rich portrait of children
and their caretakers. This portrait is multi-hued, colored by vivid descriptions
from the ethnographic literature and numerous photographs and films. Children
are shown as infants, attached marsupial-like to their mothers; as toddlers
under the care of older siblings; as 4-year olds acquiring their culture
through make-believe; as 6 year olds eagerly learning to garden; as 8
year olds playing with peers; as 10 year olds foraging for their sustenance;
as 14 year olds enduring painful ordeals to make them strong and; as
16 year old brides. Throughout, comparisons are drawn between the
childhood described by anthropologists in pre-modern or traditional societies
and contemporary Euroamerican and East Asian childhood. We won’t
flinch, however, in revealing children’s lives in the now deeply
impoverished communities found throughout the Third World. We conclude
with discussing recommendations for policy initiatives that are informed
by the anthropologists’ perspective rather than the, frequently
ethnocentric, perspective that informs most current efforts to improve
children’s well-being. Mastery of course material and the development of analytical skills will be assessed through several quizzes, class participation, the written assignments and a comprehensive, open-notebook essay final exam. I encourage you to use me as a sounding-board for your brainstorms and queries. Write to me on email. My response may be brief and telegraphic but it will be prompt and, usually, on the money: david.lancy@usu.edu |
Introduction | Textbooks
and Additional Readings |
Writing Assignments |