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Global Perspectives in Anthropology ANTH389 SP

This course will examine anthropological approaches to the concept of "globalization" which has increasingly become a part of social science as well as popular discourses. We begin by taking a "global perspective" on culture, anthropology's foundational concept, by asking: Do the economic, political, cultural, and technological links between nations in the late 20th century necessitate a new concept of culture? Does "global culture" exist? Is there a place for cultural relativism in the "globaL village"? We then turn to several anthropological case studies that examine processes typically associated with globalization: tensions between transnational social movements (e.g., feminism, anti-war, and environmental) and nationalist political and economic agendas; the spread of "rights" discourse and corresponding assertions of cultural rights and religious fundamentalisms; patterns of global "zoning" which marginalize "less developed" regions; the effects of transnational tourism and prostitution on constructions of gender and sexuality; the growth of refugee populations; and the global circulation and reception of media images. By directing attention to specific contexts, these case studies use ethnography to high-light the local effects of global processes, including locally-generated resistances and transformations of "the global."

MAJOR READINGS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS ANTH

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998