ANTH 481
POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
- Catalog Entry
ANTH 481. Political Anthropology
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisite: ANTH 121.
Cross-cultural study of political organization, leadership and conflict resolution in small-scale, non-Western societies. Examination of anthropological theories on political organization to evaluate case studies from the anthropological and archaeological literature.
- Detailed Description of Content of Course
I. Review of anthropological concepts as framework for studying political anthropology
A. Ethnocentrism and stereotyping
B. Cultural diversity and cultural relativism
C. Culture systems perspective
D. Goals of scientific explanation
II. Political anthropology: history and theory
A. Nineteenth century evolutionists
B. Boasian reaction
C. British functionalists
D. Neo-evolutionists
III. Development and structure of pre-state political systems
A. Comparison of political and legal structures using evolutionary models and case studies
1. Bands
2. Tribes
3. Chiefdoms
IV. Development and structure of state systems
A. Origins of the State
1. Theories and theoretical debates
2. Selected case studies from archaeology and ethnohistory
B. Colonialism and the development of the"modern world system"
C. Peasant societies and the state
V. Leadership in cross-cultural perspective
A. Comparative study of the structure, function, and behavior of leadership in non-Western societies
B. Comparison of the roles of headmen, big men, chiefs, tribal councils, kings and complex leadership hierarchies
C. Rules of political succession
D. Political factions
E. Individual political behavior
VI. Concepts of power in cross-cultural perspective
A. Political symbolism
B. Sources of personal power
C. Control and management of resources
D. Selected case studies
VII. War and peace in cross-cultural perspective
A. Comparison of different forms of violence
1. Raiding
2. Feuding
3. Warfare
B. Comparison of different styles of conflict resolution
VIII. Challenges to indigenous political autonomy and contemporary efforts by native societies to reclaim "self-determination"
A. Investigation of case studies documenting challenges to self-rule by indigenous societies
B. Case studies of efforts by contemporary indigenous societies to reclaim traditional rights and political self-determination
- Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
A combination of lecture and informal discussion is used in this course. Both focus upon assigned readings, audio-visual presentations, and applicable materials drawn from media discussions of current events.
- Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will be able:
1. develop an appreciation for cultural diversity through cross-cultural comparison of the different political and legal systems around the world using case studies from archaeology, ethnohistory, and ethnography;
2. to engage in critical thinking by seeking answers as to why and how these diverse political/legal systems developed and operate;
3. to become knowledgeable of the theoretical approaches in political anthropology;
4. to apply their study of human political diversity toward better understanding, assessing and predicting the course of political issues facing indigenous societies in the present and the future.
- Assessment Measures
Students may be graded on the basis of in-class or take-home essay examinations, oral presentations, term papers or projects, journals, class attendance and participation.
- Other Course Information
Students may be asked to keep abreast of current world events and to conduct library research in addition to reading assigned text materials. Informal, in-class writing may be used to stimulate discussion. Students taking the course for graduate credit are also required to write an additional research paper on a topic tailored to their special interests in the class.
- Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED
September, 2001 Reviewed Peggy A. Shifflett |