Over half of the world’s population is estimated to live in cities, with that number expected to grow significantly in the coming decade. Cities are not new a concept, by any measure, but this continued trajectory from rural to urban living changes how people interact with one another and is effectively redefining humanity. Historically, anthropologists focused on rural areas, and many of the discipline’s foundational theoretical and methodological frameworks are rooted in that early work. For contemporary anthropologists conducting ethnographic research in urban areas, do these frameworks translate seamlessly from rural to urban settings? Furthermore, are we doing ethnography in the city, or of the city? Must we rethink anthropological methods and theories from urban perspectives? This class explores these and other questions related to social science in a rapidly urbanizing world. We will use recent urban ethnographies to critically engage with concepts of inequalities, power structures, and sustainability.
Learning Outcomes:
-Familiarity with the lived realities of diverse people living in urban areas around the world
-Knowledge of anthropological theories and methods that are applicable to city life
-Nuance understanding of global cultural flows and interconnections
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites: Students should email Steve Moog (stevemoog@bennington.edu) to describe why they are interested in the course.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 1:40PM - 3:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: 4000 , All courses , Anthropology , Cancelled Courses , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Updates
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