ANTH 334(S) The Body*

This course explores the extent to which the human body and bodily processes can be understood as products of specific social, cultural and historical contexts. We look at dress and bodily modification, human reproduction, gender and conceptualizations of health and illness. Readings explore how clothing, hair styles, cosmetics/body paint, and scarification act as signifiers of social and moral orders among peoples such as indigenous Amazonians, Africans, and populations more firmly situated within a capitalist system such as middle class Americans. A second set of readings considers views and practices relating to human procreation focusing on aboriginal Australians and Northeastern Brazilians among others. We explore how ideas about conception influence peoples' relationships to each other and non-human objects such as the landscape as well as how situations of extreme resource scarcity may effect mother, child bonding. Other readings focus on how ritual events play a role in the construction of gender. Different types of culture specific diseases (such as hysteria, soul loss, and nerves) are also discussed particularly with respect to social inequalities and power relations. Format: lectures and class discussion. Requirements: class presentation, short midterm paper (5 pages) and longer final paper (10 pages). No prerequisites.

Hour:  OAKDALE