Problems in Anthropology 364

History of Anthropological Theory

Anthropology 383

Prof. Mona Bhan, 205 D Asbury, x 1025

DePauw University

Department of Anthropology

Fall 2010

T, R: 12:40-2:10 pm, AH 302

Office Hours: T,R, 4.00-5.00 pm or by appt.

Description

Why do we have to study the history of anthropological theory; Why spend a semester understanding theories and perspectives that might no longer seem current; Why is anthropology obsessed with its history?

If you are wondering about the significance of this course in your training as anthropologists, such questions are certainly not meaningless or perfunctory. This course is designed to understand the rise of anthropology in its historical and political context. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand anthropology, like any other field of knowledge, to be the product of larger sociopolitical processes and events. The practice and writing of ethnographies is shaped by theoretical insights that might not seem very apparent at the outset. But, guess what? All the wonderful ethnographies that you have read thus far are influenced by theory. Therefore, one of the primary goals in this class is to make sure we understand the integral connection between theory and ethnography. We will use a combination of classical and contemporary texts to understand how anthropologists employ theory to interpret and analyze what they witness in their field sites. In addition, we will read some key figures in anthropology and their contributions to the discipline in order to trace the genealogy of the field. Wherever possible, I have incorporated contemporary readings with classical pieces to demonstrate the continuities and ruptures in anthropological thought and practice. Clearly, there could be multiple other ways to organize this course, a fact I’d like you to recognize as we progress in the course. It is important to bear in mind that there is never just one way to organize any disciplinary history; however, for the sake of learning, I am relying on a particular narrative by including canonical texts that have been formative in shaping our field.

Expectations

I expect an engaged student body in my classes, so please make sure you demonstrate interest in the course material. I will make every possible effort to make this class enriching since it is a crucial course in your experience as Anthropology majors. In addition to attending class regularly (only one excused absence is allowed), you are expected to come to class prepared with thoughtful comments and questions. I will pick discussion leaders soon after classes begin. I expect student leaders to bring in five typed questions to class and multiple copies to distribute among their peers. These questions should engage with the main arguments of the texts assigned for the day. I would like to see these questions in advance, may be via email, so that we can refine our in-class discussions and make them more efficient.

There are no textbooks assigned for the course. I am relying on articles and book chapters that have been posted on Moodle. In case you are unable to access any article because of technical difficulties, please feel free to email me in advance so that I can email you the reading.
At the end of each section on the syllabus, you will find some important questions pertaining to the readings. Read them carefully. These questions are only meant to structure your reading and facilitate your comprehension. You should feel free to explore other salient points that I might have missed.

Assignments and grading

You will be expected to write three different pieces for the course in addition to facilitating discussions and presenting your work in class.

A) The first assignment will be a critical essay on a topic I will assign in class. Make sure you are reading the texts carefully because I will expect you to synthesize and analyze a theoretical concept using multiple readings from the course. (See page 7 of the syllabus)
B) For the second paper, I will assign you a short ethnographic piece and expect you to identify and explain at least one theoretical perspective that shape the author’s data and analysis. (See page 8 of the syllabus)
C) Role playing: Pick any social issue/institution/ritual that you want to analyze using insights of any one anthropologist. (It could be a ritual in your sorority/fraternity, or in your household. You could also focus on important current political and/or social events, or understand the dynamics of your football/basketball team. You can choose to use any theoretical framework even if you don’t agree with it. Now, pick an anthropologist you think would be interested in your question. Write a four to five page paper outlining your question and the theory you will use to analyze your question. In addition, your paper should reflect on the following set of questions: Why do you think you chose this particular theory? Why do you think the anthropologist you picked would be interested in your questions? How would the anthropologist answer these questions? What might his/her conclusions be?

For your in-class presentation, google the profile and pictures of the anthropologist you picked. Try to imitate them. Dress up like them, pretend to think like them too (you will have a fair idea about this by the time we are nearing the end of the course). Your presentation should last 20-25 mins. with time for questions from the audience.

The overall grading system will be:
Assignment # 1: 25%

Assignment # 2: 25%

Assignment # 3: 25%

Class presentation: 15%

Class participation: 10%



Grading Scale
A 94%+ A- 90-93%

B+ 87-89% B 84-86% B- 80-83%

C+ 77-79% C 74-76% C- 70-73%

D+ 67-69% D 64-66% D- 60-63%

F 59%-
The following information will help you better understand the criteria for graded material:

A= exceptionally thought-provoking, original, creative in both content and manner of presentation, and a skillful use of concepts and/or materials which are fully supported.

B= presents a solid understanding of the subject matter and an ability to handle the issues and materials encountered in the subject with only minor errors.
C= demonstrates an adequate understanding of the subject matter with central ideas present, but too general, repetitious and not clearly supported or integrated with evidence and details.
D= a minimally acceptable performance with a confusing central idea and lacking details. Parts of the assignment are missing and/or incomplete.
F= shows lack of effort and minimal comprehension of material with major mechanical errors, no thesis, and misuse of key concepts.



Week 1: Wed 27^th, Introduction
Topic 1: What is theory?
R, August 26^st: Introduction to theory, 1-6, In Understanding Culture: An

Introduction to Anthropological Theory, Salzman, Philip.

Analyzing Theories
Introduction, xii-xxii, In High Points in Anthropology, eds

Bohannan, Paul and Mark Glazer.

Transformation through Time: History and Evolution, 87-95. In

Understanding Culture: An Introduction to Anthropological

Theory, Salzman, Philip.
Beginnings, In Ethnographic Fieldwork: An Anthropological

Reader. Eds. Robben, Antonius and Jeffey A. Sluka.

Precursors of the anthropological tradition, In History and

Theory in Anthropology by Alan Barnard.

Question(s) to consider: What is the role of theory in Anthropology? Why do you think theoretical paradigms keep shifting? Why don’t they remain static? Are theories dynamic? Why or why not? What political and economic contexts are the beginnings of anthropology embedded in?




Topic 2: A focus on Forefathers:

Evolutionism: Morgan, From Barbarism to Civilization/Animism to

Religion
T, Aug 31^st : Lewis Henry Morgan (1818-1881). In High Points in

Anthropology, eds Bohannan, Paul and Mark Glazer.

Morgan in Visions of Culture, ed. Jerry D. Moore

The Evolution of Society (On Moodle)
R, Sept 2^nd: Edward Burnett Tylor, In A Reader in the Anthropology of

Religion by Michael Lambek (on Moodle)

The Science of Culture (On Moodle)
Tylor in Visions of Culture (on Moodle)

Question(s) to consider:: Early anthropologists were heavily influenced by the Enlightenment ideal of progress. How do you think that shaped their research agenda and conclusions? Would you label their research ethnocentric?



Topic 3: From Evolution to History
T, Sept 7^th: Franz Boas: The Aims of Anthropological Research, In

Anthropology in theory: Issues in Epistemology, eds. Moore,

Henrietta and Todd Sanders.
Franz Boas: The Limitations of the Comparative Method of

Anthropology, In High Points in Anthropology, eds. Bohannan,

Paul and Mark Glazer.

R, Sept 9^th: Film on Franz Boas, discussion in class.

Question(s) to consider: How do you think Boas was different from evolutionary anthropologists? What are his major contributions? Do you think history and evolution are opposing strands within anthropological theory and practice?




Topic 4: A focus on Foremothers

Feminist Critiques of evolutionism and functionalism
T, Sept 14^th: The History of Gender in Anthopology of Gender, 2-11, eds. Mascia-

Lees, Frances and Nancy lack,

Evolutionary orientations, 20-40 (From the same text)

R, Sept 16^th : Selections from Margaret’s Mead, Coming of age in Samoa (an

example of historical particularism as it relates to adolescence) On

Moodle (Mead 1 and 2)

T, Sept 21^nd: The Individual and the Pattern of Culture from The Aims of

Anthropological Research, In Anthropology in theory: Issues in

Epistemology, eds. Moore, Henrietta and Todd Sanders, and

other selections from Patterns of Culture.

Critiques
R, Sept 23^th: Selections from Freeman’s The Fateful Hoaxing of Margaret

Mead.

More on Mead/Freeman controversy (on Moodle)
Question(s) to consider: Why focus on foremothers in anthropology? In what ways do you think this revisionist history sheds light on the theory and practice of anthropology, or for that matter on the history of knowledge in general? What do you make of Freeman’s attack on Mead’s ethnography? What issues does Freeman bring up why?

First Assignment Due on Oct 1st


Topic 6: Functionalism/Structural Fuctionalism/ Critiques

T, Sept 28 ^1st: Interdependence in Human Life: Social Structure and Function,

In Understanding Culture: An Introduction to Anthropological

Theory, Salzman, Philip.

The Group and the Individual in Functional Analysis, In High

Points in Anthropology, eds Bohannan, Paul and Mark Glazer

R, Sept 30^th : Toward a (Dys)functional Anthropology of Drinking:

Ambivalence and the American Indian Experience with Alcohol

Author(s): Paul Spicer Source: Medical Anthropology Quarterly,

New Series, Vol. 11, No. 3, (Sep., 1997), pp. 306-323. (On Moodle)

T, Oct 5^th: On Social Structure by Redcliffe Brown, In High

Points in Anthropology, eds Bohannan, Paul and Mark Glazer.

R, Oct 7^th: Nuer Politics: Structure and System, In The Anthropology of

Politics: A reader in Ethnography, Theory, and Critique, ed.

Vincent, Joan.
T, Oct 12^th: Nuer Ethnicity Militarized by Sharon Hutchinson, In The

Anthropology of Politics: A reader in Ethnography, Theory, and

Critique, ed. Vincent, Joan.
Question(s) to consider: Malinowski’s idea of culture as a means to satisfy individual needs seems very utilitarian. To what extent do you think Malinowski’s idea of function is useful to understand the complexities of culture? How does Redclfiffe Brown’s idea of structural functionalism differ from that of Malinowski’s concept of functionalism? What is the significance of history in functionalism/structural functionalism? How do you think these approaches are different from Boas’s concept of historical particularism? Why do you think functionalists focused on the “here” and “now,” and how did this influence their ethnographies?


Second Assignment Due right after fall break


Topic 7: Structuralism
R, Oct 14^th: Structuralism, From linguistics to anthropology, In History and

Theory in Anthropology by Alan Barnard.

T, Oct 26^th: Ortner, “Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture” on Google

Scholar
R, Oct 28^th : Structuralist Approaches In Gender and Anthropology eds.

Mascia-Lees, Frances and Nancy Black.
Question(s) to consider: Anthropology has always been influenced by developments in other disciplines. In what ways do you think Levi Strauss was influenced by linguistics? How does the emphasis on form versus content shape his understandings of culture?

Topic 8:: Interpretive Anthropology/Postmodern/Reflexive Anthropology

T, Nov 2^nd : Interpretive and Postmodern Approaches, In History and

Theory in Anthropology by Alan Barnard.
R, Nov 4^th: Selections from Orientalism (On Moodle). Watch film on Orientalism.
T, Nov 9^th: The “Other” Talks Back and Custer Died for your sins, In

Ethnographic Fieldwork: An Anthropological Reader. Eds.

Robben, Antonius and Jeffey A. Sluka.
R, Nov 11^th: The Reflexive Approach, In Gender and Anthropology eds.

Mascia-Lees, Frances and Nancy Black.

On Ethnographic Authority by James Clifford, In

Ethnographic Fieldwork: An Anthropological

Reader. Eds. Robben, Antonius and Jeffey A. Sluka.
T Nov 16^th: Walking the Fire Line: The Erotic Dimension of the Fieldwork

Experience by Kate Altork, In Ethnographic Fieldwork: An

Anthropological Reader. Eds. Robben, Antonius and Jeffey A.

Sluka.
November 18^th AAAs

Question(s) to consider: What are the major trends that shifted anthropological thought and practice in the 1960s? How is interpretive anthropology different from the scientific anthropology practiced by Malinowski and others? How does interpretive anthropology lay the foundation for postmodern anthropology? How does it lead to the questioning of ethnographic authority in the field?


T, Nov 23^th: TBA
T, Nov 30^th :Group Presentations
R, Dec 2^rd: Group Presentations
T, Dec 7^th: Group Presentations
R, Dec 9^th: Group Presentations

Assignment # 1/Due Oct 8^th in class/five-double page paper

Since the beginning of the course, we have covered some very important theorists and discussed some of their theories in great detail. For your assignment, I want you to pick Lewis Henry Morgan and Ruth Benedict and compare their contributions to anthropological theory and practice, talk about the larger political contexts within which their theories fit, and the similarities and differences between the two theorists. Rather than only demonstrate differences between them (which is relatively easy to do), I want you to explore some possible continuities in their work. Also, rather than write a descriptive paper, I would prefer a paper with a core thesis so that you can build your paper around this thesis rather than include everything that these theorists accomplished. What you can do is pick a theme (for instance, the importance of history, context, individual, cultural comparisons, patterns, etc) in their work and build a narrative around one of these themes through a careful reading and exploration of their writing.

To write this paper then, your first task is to decide what your thematic emphasis in the paper will be. If it is history, then you need to go back to Morgan’s and Benedict’s materials to explore how much importance history played in their analysis of cultures. Like wise, for any topic you choose, you will have to go back to the articles to dig deeper into the text and analyze how these theorists approach such issues.

Remember, sometimes there might not be very overt references to a particular concept. This is where your careful reading of the text will come into the picture. You must read between the lines to analyze the text and explore how these theorists are engaging/not engaging with any concept.

Assignment # 2/Due Nov 19^th in class/five-double page paper

For your second assignment, I would like you pick any one theme to compare Pritchard and Hutchinson’s analysis of the Nuer. Through a careful engagement with the texts, I would like you to frame an argument for your paper. For instance, if you picked history, your argument should specify how and why your analysis of the concept of history is contributing to existing debates within anthropology. How does history feature in the two articles under consideration? How do they treat the concept of history differently or in similar ways? Please make sure your analysis reflects a critical engagement with the texts and you are not simply regurgitating the arguments of the authors.

The way to do it is through a careful reading of the two articles. However, I also want you to engage with two more articles of your choice from the course that can help you build your data set and an argument for the paper.

Some terms to think about are:

Culture

History

Ethnic Identity

Representation

Synchronic

Self-contained

Equilibrium

Gender