Anthropology

Cultures of North Africa, Southwest Asia and Central Asia

Module code: 003AE
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

On this module, you’ll explore the diversity, complexity, and dynamism of social life in the Middle East and Central Asia. You’ll examine various social forms and identities in this region by engaging with general theories and specific ethnographic studies.

Key topics include:

anthropological approaches to the Middle East and Central Asia, tracing the influence of Said's "Orientalism" on the field and examining contemporary ethnographies that challenge or build on these ideas
social forms, understanding how tribes, villages, and cities are conceptualised, contrasting earlier, rigid views with recent perspectives that see them as historically contingent and dynamic networks
religious identities, exploring the transformation of religious identities across Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, with a focus on new roles and intellectual styles within religious authority
youth cultural politics, assessing how youth across the region are influencing societal norms, particularly in light of the Arab Spring and the role of "the youth" in shaping political and social change
migration and trade, examining the impact of long-standing migration and trade networks on cultural and social identities, focusing on Middle Eastern migrants over time
borderland identities, investigating how people in border regions navigate and sometimes challenge national boundaries and state-driven nation-building projects.

The module combines lectures, seminars, and case studies, using both Western and non-Western literature to provide a well-rounded understanding of social structures, identities, and cultural change in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Module learning outcomes

To demonstrate an awareness in key themes in the anthropology of the Middle East and Central Asia
To anchor such themes in wider theoretical debates and discussions within anthropology
To apply a critical ethnographic perspective to political, cultural, social, and economic issues in the Middle East and Central Asia
To apply analytical frameworks concerning culture and political economy to historical and ethnographic accounts of the region