Anthropology

Culture and Representation

Module code: L6075
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework

On this module, you'll focus on the concept of ‘culture’ and the political dimensions of representing other cultures. You'll explore:

• how anthropological understandings of ‘culture’ have developed over the 20th century
• the role of anthropology in analysing and representing culture in ethnographic research
• how ‘culture’ operates as a public idea, used by politicians, activists, museum curators and others.

Key themes include distinctions between ‘ourselves’ and ‘others,’ structure and agency, embodiment, art and aesthetics, power and protest.

Designed for anthropology students and non-specialists alike, this module helps you:

• deepen anthropological knowledge and critical reading skills
• reflect on personal experiences and their relation to anthropological engagement
• prepare for extended writing projects such as dissertations
• improve your academic writing through assessment opportunities.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of anthropological and other disciplinary approaches for understanding how culture is created and represented.
• Share a critical understanding of the social contexts and political dimensions of cultural creation and representation.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically assess intellectual arguments.
• Demonstrate the ability to reflect on one's positionality and learning.