ANT 3200 - PSYCHOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

credits: 3.0
An introduction to psychological anthropology. We will first examine its historical development and will then use a comparative approach to explore the cross-cultural validity of personality, the “self” and self-identity, and emotional experience. We will also examine recent developments in cognitive anthropology, symbolic anthropology and language and discourse. Objectives: A) Describe the historical development of psychological anthropology; B) Explain the basic concepts and ideas of psychological anthropology; C) Discuss the effects of culture on personality development; D) Understand the cultural shaping of cognition and emotions; E) Describe the influence of culture on psychiatric disorder; F) Critically examine received or common-sense notions about self and mind particularly as they relate to cultural context. Method of Instruction: Lecture and discussion; student presentation of readings; three book reviews, and three exams. Method of Evaluation: Three exams in short essay form (15% each), three essays on three ethnographies from a psychological perspective (15% each), and participation, including attendance, comments and discussion in class, and participation in-group work (10%). Meets *NWP Distribution Requirement.