ANTHROPOLOGY 10

BODIES, SENSES, AND HUMANITY

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an anthropological study of the body

and the senses to demonstrate how biology/nature
and culture/society interact in the shaping of
humanity. The body is the material and ideological
site of human interaction and politics that is why it is
analysed in different cultural context and varying
social conditions and norms.
COURSE OBJECTIVES

That the students may have an understanding of the bio-

cultural processes involved in the functions of and
meanings attached to human bodies.

That the course may help them better understand their

culture and the society to which they belong, and at the
same time teach them to appreciate cultural diversity.

The students may learn key concepts in anthropology

both as a social science discipline and a research tool for
studying culture and society.
COURSE OUTLINE
TOPICS AND POINTS OF DISCUSSION
1. WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?

Definition

Historical Background

Subdisciplines

Relevance
2. WHAT IS HUMAN?

The concept of evolution

Biological evolution of humans

Human uniqueness
3. WHAT IS CULTURE?

Definition

Key features

Culture and Society

4. BODIES, SENSES, CULTURE

Function of the senses

Social dimension of the senses

Sensoryscapes and Sensory worlds

5. SOCIETY AS A BODY

Structuralism

Body boundaries and the concept of pollution

Social boundaries and Rites of passages

Modern forms of discrimination

6. THE BODY AS A SOCIETY

Post-structuralism

Body politic

Gender, sexuality, body

Commodification of the body

7. BODIES AGAINST SOCIETY

Agency

Body praxis

The pursuit of an ideal society for our bodies

8. BODIES AND WORLDS

Ontology and Relationality

Bodies and Personhood

Plurality of worlds
9. RESEARCHING BODIES

Ethnographic methods

Research ethics

Anthropologists do it the field!

OTHER MATTERS
COURSE REQUIREMENTS, GRADING SCALE,
AND CLASS AGREEMENTS
COURSE REQUIREMENTS

First Exam 25%

Second Exam 25%

Class activities 15%

Course project 25%

Class participation 10%

GRADING SCALE

95-100 1.00 70-74 2.25

90-94 1.25 65-69 2.50

85-89 1.50 60-64 2.75

80-84 1.75 55-59 3.00

75-79 2.00 54 and below 5.00

CONTACT DETAILS

Office: Room 1324, 3/F, Palma Hall Pavillon 1

Email: edwinvalientes24@gmail.com

Consultation hours: 10am-2pm, Tuesday-Friday (by

appointment)
INDEX CARD

1x1 ID photo (upper right corner)

Nickname (ALL CAPS) | Class schedule

Name (Given Name, Middle Initial, Surname)

Course

Email (required)

Mobile phone number (optional)