ANSO 341 Culture and Violence (Not offered 1998-99)

Two propositions will be considered in this course. The first is that, while violence is generally viewed as antithetical to society, violence (as institution and experience) is the foundation of society and the social order. The second proposition is that there exists a structural and symbolic continuity between the elementary forms of violence found in so-called primitive societies and those which exist in complex societies, including our own. In examining these propositions, we will look at a number of case studies to determine how violence is implicated in the constitutions of society and whether or not violence itself can be said to have its own meaning, logic, and order. In addition, we will consider some of the following questions: How are individuals conditioned to act in violent ways? How is violence ritually patterned and culturally sanctioned in simple and complex societies? What is the relationship between gender, sexuality, and violence? Class Format: discussion seminar. Requirements: a series of short papers and a final take-home exam. Prerequisite: any upper-level course in Anthropology or Sociology or permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 25.

D. EDWARDS