Course: Political and economic anthropology

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Course title Political and economic anthropology
Course code KSA/EPA
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Czarnecki Szczepan Pavel, Mgr.
Course content
1. Cultural ecology - adaptation of companies to the natural environment. 2. Evolutionist perspective of political anthropology: acephalic societies, tribes, chiefship, state. 3. Economic anthropology - dispute between formalists and substantivists, criticism of homo economicus. 4. Reciprocity and redistribution, kula phenomenon; money and exchange systems. 5. Main approaches in political anthropology: structural functionalism, process and actor approaches. 6. Anthropological conceptualization of power. 7. Conflict and resistance. 8. Capitalism and its characteristics from the perspective of economic anthropology. 9. Theory of the world system, dependency theory. 10. Post-development studies. 11. Globalization. 12. Political and economic aspects of post-socialism.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
  • Homework for Teaching - 50 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 25 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 25 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course is aimed at introducing basic topics in political and economic anthropology - both in the contemporary and historical perspective of the field. First, the relationship of cultural anthropology to the economic and political systems of non-European societies will be explained on the basis of well-known 20th century research. Subsequently, conceptual frameworks will be presented to grasp the power and exchange of economic goods in anthropology. Emphasis will also be placed on presenting the potential of anthropology to describe and explain current phenomena and processes in the political and economic sphere - ie in relation to the issue of globalization and social inequalities. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to gain an anthropological view of the study of political and economic aspects of social reality; use the conceptualization of power and exchange to grasp current processes in the local and global framework; to discuss the link between economic and political phenomena with the broader framework of the social structure of societies.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to gain an anthropological view of the study of political and economic aspects of social reality; use the conceptualization of power and exchange to grasp current processes in the local and global framework; to discuss the link between economic and political phenomena with the broader framework of the social structure of societies.
Prerequisites
As this is a basic introductory course, no prior knowledge or general entry requirements are required. Since the course is taught in English, students are expected to have a good command of the English language.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam

Aktivní účast v hodině, plnění zadaných úkolů, studium vybrané základní literatury a systematická seminární práce, minimální průměrná 70% úspěšnost v závěrečném testu a úspěch u písemné zkoušky.
Recommended literature
  • ERIKSEN, T. H. (2008). Sociální a kulturní antropologie. Praha.
  • Hahn, Ch., Hart, K. Economic Anthropology. History, Ethnography, Critique. Cambridge; Malden: Polity, 2011.
  • LEWELLEN, Ted. C. Political Anthropology. An Introduction. Westport: Praeger, 2003..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Sociology (2024) Category: Social sciences 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Sociology (2024) Category: Social sciences 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Sociology (2019) Category: Social sciences 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Sociology (2019) Category: Social sciences 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: -