ANTH310

This course will focus on the intersection of identity, politics, and culture from a qualitative perspective. Identity is a widely used term in academia that is rarely scrutinized. Its use ranges from far-reaching national identity and citizenship to personal issues of gender and belonging. Drawing from both historical and contemporary issues, students will examine the role of politics in the formation of identity and the influence different forms of identity play in the policy-making process. The course will draw on contemporary cases from Europe and the Americas. While the course will rely primarily from anthropological sources and theory, it will also utilize a multi-disciplinary framework to attempt to address the complex relationsip between culture, politics, and identity. Specific issues that will be addressed include symbols, ritual, memory, nationalism, race, ethnicity, food, space, gender, poverty, democracy, resistance, migration, and citizenship. The format of the course will be both lecture and discussion. Students should be ready to participate at every meeting.