Cultural Anthropology

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, aims, and findings of cultural anthropology. In addition to exploring the concept of culture as a defining characteristic of human experience, the course analyzes the forces that shape and define such human cultural features as family systems and marriage, sex and gender roles, political and economic institutions, social inequalities and ethnic identities, and religious and ritual behavior. Using a variety of ethnographic examples, the course explores the similarities and differences of peoples and cultures around the world.