Splash Biography

This course will be an introduction to the field of cultural anthropology. This course will interest anyone who wants to learn about other cultures or different ways of life. We will discuss a brief history of the discipline, what 'culture' means, how and why anthropologists have changed their theories over time, and how to think like cultural anthropologists. Throughout the course, we will also use several real case studies to challenge the way you perceive or think about the world. I hope to see you in class!

Is everything controlled by a secret society? Are people spying on everything we say and do? Are scientists fooling us about the toxicity of chemicals or the reality of global warming? These questions and more hit upon some of the most widespread conspiracy theories people believe in. In this course, we will ask: what makes a conspiracy theory a "conspiracy theory" and how can we come to terms with conspiracy theories that have historically become fact (e.g. government surveillance, smoking causes cancer)? To figure out possible answers, this course will introduce and apply critical theory with an anthropological bent: psychoanalysis, Marxism, and poststructuralism just to name a few. If you are interested in talking about conspiracy theories and/or learning critical theory, this is the course for you! I look forward to having you in class.

What is empathy? Can we ever really know another person? What is the opposite of empathy? What are the strengths and limitations to empathy as a way of relating to others? This course will tackle these questions by relying on anthropological, psychoanalytic and philosophical approaches. If you are interested in emotion, culture, philosophy and/or ethics, you will enjoy this class.