Society and Social Relations (Anthropology)

How do social relations work, how have they been changing, and how do the relations people have relate to changes in wider political, economic, technological and other conditions? After completing the course, students will understand the historically shifting dynamics and political, economic, cultural and transnational diversity of social relations from an anthropological perspective. The course focuses on different kinds of social relations, especially kinship, and how they intersect with other elements of society, particularly the state.

Readings for the book exam:

Carsten, Janet 2004. After Kinship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Sahlins, Marshall 2013. What Kinship Is - and Is Not. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Popenoe, R. 2004. Feeding desire: fatness, beauty, and sexuality among a Saharan people. London: Routledge.

Completion methods

Participation in lectures and tutorials, participation in a debate at the end of the course, and writing an exam or essay.

Assessment practices and criteria

Assessment practices follow the same rules as for the whole degree. Particular attention is paid to making the tutorial sessions a safe space in which students can experiment with ideas that they are learning.

Activities and methods in support of learning

Lectures, tutorials and reflection papers (optional). In addition, there is a debate at the end of the session, which provides students with the opportunity to draw on their knowledge and work together to develop a proposition on a topic involving society and social change.

Teaching period

Period 2

Expiry of studies

Language of instruction