Introduction to Cultural Studies

Students will be able identify key concepts and areas of study under the umbrella of cultural studies and understand why the study of culture is so important. Students will be able to understand the historical context which gave birth to the emergence of cultural anthropology, social anthropology, and intercultural communication. Students will begin to understand the importance of relationships and reciprocity within people groups and societies and how gift giving is foundational to allowing anti-utilitarian societies thrive through exchange pre-capitalism, globalization, and trade, institutions which emerged in a modern, utilitarian, capitalist society. The course guides students from the subject of cultural anthropology into social anthropology. Students will learn the definition of social anthropology and how relationships are organized within societies to maintain harmony, social order, and control. Students will be given examples of constructed institutions within societies and how the importance of these institutions vary among different cultures. Students will also have a better understanding on how to conduct ethnographic research through detailed examples of specific cultural groups drawn from my own research and personal experience. Finally, students have access to valuable links and literature provided in the resource section.