Anthropology of (De)coloniality: Epistemology, Theory and Practice (2026/2027: Semester 2 – Spring)

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Cursusdoel

After completing this course students are able to

  1. identify differences in anthropological perspectives (e.g., regarding epistemology, methodology and theory-building);
  2. evaluate various perspectives on urban anthropology, race and racism; gender and sexuality; and global political economy;
  3. discuss the ways in which global connections and relations have been discussed by anthropologists from the global South; examine the ways in which ‘Euro-America’ has been discussed in anthropology
  4. critically reflect on ethnographic texts and synthetic interpretations of ethnographic data;
  5. compare ethnographies contextually;
  6. articulate their own particular position in relation to the study of others, and are able to ‘provincialize’ their own particular position/perspective;
  7. demonstrate (at least in statu nascendi) academic skills and attitudes that are required for the academic study of anthropology as discipline.
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
Description of assignment Course aims
Weekly class participation: attendance, preparation (reading and note-taking prior to class), contribution to discussions,
listening to other’s contributions		 1-7
Group facilitations of book club sessions and individual reflections 1, 4, 6, 7
Book review 1-7
Duo-ethnography 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Vakinhoudelijk

In this course students are introduced to the richness, diversity, commonalities and potentials of anthropology in the world today. Since its inception, anthropological practice has been dominated by the so-called Great Traditions (mostly Anglo-American). However, processes of decolonization, globalization and transnationalism, along with critical interrogation of dominant discourses, have led to greater visibility of ‘peripheral’ or ‘marginalized’ scholarship. The decolonization of the discipline has resulted in a radical and critical focus on the empowerment of cultures being studied, and to serious challenges posed to the politics of knowledge production in anthropology.

In anthropology today, who has the authority to construct theories? Who can speak to whom, and about what? Who determines which anthropological insights become part of ‘mainstream’ anthropological theories, and what is this based on? Do the classical anthropological themes (e.g., religion, politics, nation-building, ethnicity) still hold?

This course engages with questions regarding anthropology as developing global discipline and the themes and theories it engages with. By reading contributions from leading anthropologists from different countries and anthropological traditions, this course gives voice to scholars outside the Global North. It shows the variety of methodologies, training, and approaches that scholars from regions outside the Global North. The class will focus on four aspects of anthropological study: urban anthropology; the anthropology of global connections, focusing on politics and political economy; race and racism; and questions related to gender and sexuality. The course will also focus on the ways in which ‘Euro-America’ has become the object of study for anthropologists, both from theGlobal South and the Global North. Students will read (parts of) ethnographies of ‘non-Western’ scholars regarding these issues produced in and ´thought from´ locations beyond the Anglo-American dominated Great Tradition.

Format

Class meets twice a week. Students are required to prepare classes by studying the readings and by taking notes to be ready to engage in discussion during our sessions. Teaching methods include interactive lectures by the teacher, class discussions, book club sessions run by different groups of students each week, and close analysis of texts, multi-modal works, and practices. Moreover, students prepare and moderate discussions in relation to the reading, will write a book review of an ethnography, and will carry out a duo-ethnography. They will receive feedback on their work at various stages.

Aanvullende informatie

Werkvormen

UCU ssc 2 course

Toetsing

Weekly class participation

Verplicht | Weging 10% | ECTS 0,75

Book review

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Book club facilitation

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Niet verplicht

Duo-ethnography

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er moet voldaan zijn aan de cursus:

Voorkennis

Er is geen informatie over benodigde voorkennis bekend.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Debatteren / discoursanalyse
  • Internationale en interculturele oriëntatie
  • Interdisciplinariteit
  • Kritisch lezen
  • Onderzoeksvaardigheden
  • Presenteren
  • Samenwerken

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • READER
  • BOEK
    tba

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Coördinator

dr. R. Woets r.woets@uu.nl

Docenten

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

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