ANT 2222 - SHAMANS, CYBORGS, and the LIMITS of HUMAN NATURE

credits: 3.0
What is human nature? What characteristics do all humans share? What separates us from non-humans, whether they be animals, machines, or supernatural beings? Will examine these questions by focusing on the outer limits of humankind’s collective identity. Alongside a review of our closest non-human relatives, living or prehistoric, from bonobos to Neanderthals and will progress to charting the vast diversity of humanity by examining uncommon individuals and extraordinary social roles from societies across time and space. From prehistoric Siberian shamans to twenty-first century cyborgs, from divine emperors to megalomaniacal dictators, the thread that links these diverse figures is their liminal status at the limits of human nature. Whether they are half-spirit, part machine, incarnations of the gods or embodiments of nation-states, these figures invite us to reconsider our assumptions about human nature and the parameters of normality. Will also examine the practices of these figures and their social roles within their historical and cultural contexts in order to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the importance of diversity and creativity in humankind’s adaptation as a species. Will engage with questions about the future of humanity and the impacts of technology in influencing our ideas about ourselves and the world we inhabit. Drawing from anthropology’s broad base of knowledge, including insights from linguistics, archaeology, and biological anthropology, our investigation will span topics such as religion, human evolution, language development, social organization, and science and technology. This course’s vast scope will lead to the conclusion that human nature is wide-ranging, dynamic, and flexible. Objectives: A) Identify, define, and explain the concepts of dehumanization, objectification, liminality, bio sociality, and hominin evolution from the perspective of anthropology; B) Identify, define, and explain the roles of shamans, cyborgs, and divine rulers from multiple cultural contexts; C) Construct a definition of human nature that synthesizes scientific, humanistic, and personal knowledge; D) Construct a collaborative wiki-based database of information related to the course topics; E) Prepare and present independent research projects related to a chosen topic; F) Critically reflect on the relationship between humans and technology in the past and future. Method of Instruction: Lecture and discussion, Feedback on weekly journals and wiki project, and Feedback and one-on-one discussion sessions on independent research projects. Method of Evaluation: Reading journals (weekly) (20%); Participation in collaborative wiki project (weekly tasks) (40%); Preparation and presentation of independent research, multiple stages for evaluation (i.e., choose a topic related to course topics, prepare annotated bibliography, prepare 10-15 minute presentation with additional materials for discussion) (40% altogether). Meets *NWP Distribution Requirement.