授業科目名 年度 学期 開講曜日・時限 学部・研究科 全担当教員 単位数
15918:IR18‐AE103 Introduction to Anthropology(RB) § 15919:IR-AS106 Introduction to Anthropology(RB) § 15920:Introduction to Anthropology(RB) § 15921:RUIR-1104 Introduction to Anthropology(RB) 2024 秋セメスター 月2 法学部,経済学部,経営学部,産業社会学部,国際関係学部,政策科学部,文学部,映像学部,情報理工学部,スポーツ健康科学部 SMITH NATHANIEL M. 2

キャンパス

衣笠

授業施設

明学館MG001号教室

授業で利用する言語

English. However, some Japanese language supplementary readings will be available.

授業の概要と方法

Anthropology is a field of study devoted to human culture and society. Centered around in-person ethnographic fieldwork, anthropology also is a collection of methodological approaches and interpretive frameworks. This course is an introduction to anthropological ways of understanding our world. We will cover 1) the history of the discipline, 2) major themes, theoretical approaches, and debates, 3) issues in methods, ethics, and representation, and 4) case studies from around the world.

As we are based in Kyoto, this course will also feature material on Japan and students will each pursue a fieldwork-based research project on life in contemporary Japanese society.

受講生の到達目標

Students will develop:

1) understanding of the history of anthropology and core theoretical approaches, concepts, and debates,

2) understanding of anthropological methods and interpretation,

3) skill in the application of anthropological methods and interpretation to contemporary society.

事前に履修しておくことが望まれる科目

Prior study in the social sciences or Japan studies is useful but not required.

授業スケジュール

授業回数/
担当教員(複数担当の場合)
テーマ
キーワード・文献・補足事項等
1

Introduction and overview of course

What is "culture" and how has anthropology grappled with it?
Basic introduction to anthropological research, fields within anthropology, and approaches. What can anthropology offer?

2

Topics in the history of anthropology, Part 1: Formation

Early formations of the field of anthropology. "Founding fathers" and the institutionalization of an interpretive social science. Where anthropology fits in the academic world and where it has entered into or been shaped by debates of the day.

3

Topics in the history of anthropology, Part 2: Concepts

Key concepts and orientations in anthropological ways of understanding the world. How do we define a person? A family? Society? Culture?

Introduction of individual research projects, timelines, and objectives.

4

Topics in the "local" history of anthropology, Part 3: Japan

Japan as an object of study and contributor to the field of anthropology, plus an introduction to contemporary Japan anthropology.

5

Methodology, Part 1: Fieldwork

Ethnography and qualitative methods. What is at stake in studying "the other"? How have anthropologists navigated ethical and practical issues in fieldwork methods and writing?

Methods and approaches workshop for individual research projects.

6

Methodology, Part 2: Writing and representation

Ethnography and qualitative methods. What is at stake in studying "the other"? How have anthropologists navigated ethical and practical issues in fieldwork methods and writing?

Methods and approaches workshop for individual research projects.

7

Anthropological Theory

Anthropological theory from the twentieth century to the more recent past. What motivated the creation of mainstream anthropological theory? How does anthropology engage the contemporary world?

8

Anthropological approaches, Part 1: Reciprocity and economic anthropology

Week 8-14 will take up five fields of research in anthropology, with readings drawn from Eriksen coupled with contemporary examples. Each week we will also cover topics related to individual projects.

9

Anthropological approaches, Part 2: Kinship and understanding family

Week 8-14 will take up five fields of research in anthropology, with readings drawn from Eriksen coupled with contemporary examples. Each week we will also cover topics related to individual projects.

10

Anthropological approaches, Part 3: Nature and ecology

Week 8-12 will take up five fields of research in anthropology, with readings drawn from Eriksen coupled with contemporary examples. Each week we will also cover topics related to individual projects.

Mid-term project presentations (online).

11

Anthropological approaches, Part 4: Thought and rationality

Week 8-12 will take up five fields of research in anthropology, with readings drawn from Eriksen coupled with contemporary examples. Each week we will also cover topics related to individual projects.

12

Anthropological approaches, Part 5: Social identity and technology

Week 8-12 will take up five fields of research in anthropology, with readings drawn from Eriksen coupled with contemporary examples. Each week we will also cover topics related to individual projects.

13

Topics in contemporary anthropology, Part I

Topics for Week 13-14 will be drawn from student interest.

Potential topics include: nationalism, social media, gender, sexuality, race and racism, religion, migration, urban studies, and topics in methods.

Depending on enrollment, these two weeks may additionally be used to workshop research projects.

14

Topics in contemporary anthropology, Part II

Topics for Week 13-14 will be drawn from student interest.

Potential topics include: nationalism, social media, gender, sexuality, race and racism, religion, migration, urban studies, and topics in methods.

Depending on enrollment, these two weeks may additionally be used to workshop research projects.

15

Student presentations of/reflections on individual research projects

After the final presentation (posted online), during our last class, students will update us on their individual research and give a brief reflection on their fieldwork.

授業実施形態

This is an in-person class with online components. We will meet in-person beginning from the first week.

In-person lecture attendance and participation is required.

Online components include weekly reading responses and commentary and the submission of two recorded presentations about your individual research project, one at mid-term (Week 10) and one at the end of class (just prior to Week 15). Depending on need (semester scheduling, etc) we may need to employ an on demand or Zoom-based class meeting. This will be announced well in advance.

授業外学習の指示

Students are required to complete the assigned readings and weekly writing/response and come to class prepared to discuss the material. Class participation is part of your evaluation, both written/online in advance of class and in-person discussion during class.

In addition to assigned readings, we will often have supplemental and suggested readings and viewings that will be introduced in class and/or on Manaba. Students will also pursue sources related to their individual research projects and share them with other class members at several points in the term.

成績評価方法

種別 割合(%) 評価基準等
定期試験(筆記)

レポート試験
(統一締切日を締切とするレポート)

上記以外の試験・レポート、平常点評価
(日常的な授業における取組状況の評価)
100

20%
attendance and active participation in discussion

40%
short weekly writing based on our assigned readings and responding to two other students, submitted to Manaba prior to our class session each week

20%
research project presentations
(preliminary presentation at mid-term and final at the conclusion of the course, 10% each)

20%
final research project write-up
(essay of a minimum of 2,000 words)

成績評価方法(備考)

Based on the number of enrolled students, we will make adjustments at the beginning of the term. Depending on enrollment, your mid-term and final presentations will either be recorded and uploaded to Manaba for commentary or given in person during class followed by discussion. Usually enrollment is high enough that our presentations and commentary are entirely online.

The primary requirements for this class are weekly attendance and participation in class discussion, completing weekly reading and writing a short reading response before responding to two other class members' writing, identifying and completing your own fieldwork-based project, and finally, giving two presentations and submitting a final written essay on your chosen project.

受講および研究に関するアドバイス

For written work submitted to this class, the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools is prohibited.

本授業の提出物には、ChatGPTやその他のAIツールは使用禁止です。

教科書

書名 著者 出版社 ISBNコード 備考
What is Anthropology? Thomas Hylland Eriksen Pluto Press 0745399657

教科書(使用頻度、その他補足)

Our primary textbook is listed above. Please purchase at the book store, order it online, or gain access via the library. We will supplement the text with articles in PDF supplied by the professor.

参考書

参考書(使用頻度、その他補足)

参考になるwwwページ

This brief (<20min) video from the American Anthropological Association introduces a variety of contemporary anthropologists and how anthropology can be used in various careers:

https://americananthro.org/learn-teach/what-is-anthropology/

授業内外における学生・教員間のコミュニケーションの方法

学生との直接対話,その他(教員より別途指示)

備考

The instructor for this course, Nathaniel M. Smith, holds a PhD in anthropology from Yale University and has pursued ethnographic research on political activism, urban studies, and music subcultures in Japan since 2001. He can be reached at the following address:

smith (@) fc.ritsumei.ac.jp

For more information, please see the following link:
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng/faculty/article.html/?id=91
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html