Anthropology and Globalisation

Course details

The module aims to explore anthropological theories and perspectives as they relate to globalisation and development. Students will be expected to adopt a critical analysis of the subject and its potential for development work.

Module Objectives

• To critically examine anthropological theories and perspectives in the context of globalisation and development work.
• To explore the anthropological concept of ‘culture’ in all its complexity focusing on society, identity and world view.
• To critically investigate theories of social evolution, enculturation, ethnocentrism, race, gender and community and their impact on contemporary society.
• To explore the anthropology of globalisation paying particular attention to the role of culture, consumption and poverty.
• To assess the practical applications of applying cultural anthropological theory, perspectives, and research in understanding the implications of globalisation for development work.

Module Learning Outcomes

• Participants are expected to have an overall understanding of anthropological theories and perspectives in the context of globalisation and development and will have learned to critically assess them in the light of their own experiences.
• Participants will have an understanding of the complexity of ‘culture’ incorporating the elements of social evolutionary thinking, enculturation, ethnocentrism, identities, gender and world view allowing them to reflect on and question their own experiences and practice.
• Participants will have a broad knowledge of some of the effects of globalization in the local context and be able to critically assess these effects from their own, their communities and their countries experiences.
• Participants will have identified the various positions that cultural anthropology takes in development work and be able to offer a critical assessment of the practical implications of applying anthropological theory in the context of development and globalisation.

Module Content

Cultural Anthropology – Theories and Perspectives

• The disciplines of Anthropology
• A historical critique of the social discipline
• Epistemology of anthropological theory
• The distinct perspectives and relevance of anthropology for understanding globalisation and development

Anthropological Approaches to understanding the complexities of Culture

• The concept of ‘culture’ defined and explored
• A critical approach to ‘culture’ and society
• Enculturation, ethnocentrism, identity (including gender) and worldview

The legacy of Social Evolutionary thinking, conflict and contemporary society

• Human Species, Race and Racism and Power
• Identities, Ethnicity, Nationhood and the role of the nation state and governance in the context of globalisation
• The Cultural Construction of Gender
• Understanding the conflicting theories of Cultural Relativism and Cultural Universalism

The Anthropology of Globalisation

• Culture of economics and understanding Globalisation
• Culture, Consumption and the Globalised Economy
• Environment, population, poverty and development

Applying Anthropology to Globalisation and Development

• Can anthropology be usefully applied to Development?
• Using anthropology as a critique to globalisation and development
• Ethical principles and conflicts of ‘Doing Anthropology’

Details of assessment and up to date reading lists for this module will be made available to learners following enrollment.