SL4001: GLOBAL CHALLENGES IN AN ETHNOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE (2024-2025)

The main aim of the course is to introduce non-anthropologists to anthropological evidence and analyses of criminality and marginalization. Anthropologists often work with people who are stereotyped and persecuted for their apparent criminality. They also work in situations where causal factors such as human rights abuses and corporate action do not receive attention by the outside world. Understanding these factors will allow students to develop an argument based on local perceptions of global challenges under the guidance from an academic supervisor, write a substantial research essay, and present their work. This guidance will be accomplished in lectures, tutorials, but mainly by working in small groups mentored by one member of staff as you address a major global challenge of the contemporary world. The small groups offer an understanding of these challenges from a local point of view but one that can be compared with fellow students. The topics related to the challenges the course will discuss are many and students will be exposed to them as they work in the tutorials, but they are only responsible for working on one challenge throughout the course. Arrangements will be made for students to attend small group meetings with others working on that topic and with the member of staff attached to that topic. The specific challenges will change depending on staff availability and changing research interests, but possibilities include wildlife and green crime, industrialisation and criminality, war and terrorism, religion, and politics of marginalisation, sexual violence and exploitation, the economic crisis and poverty, the war on drugs and local drug production, human rights abuses and ‘illegal persons’, substance abuse and bodily jurisdiction, migration and accusations of criminality.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

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There are no assessments for this course.