ANT 181 - Anthropology of Sub-Saharan Africa

Course Units: 1

(Fall; Osborn) This course offers an ethnographic and ethnological survey of the diverse peoples and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa. To gain insight into the lives and experiences of peoples from across the region, we will examine both historical and contemporary forces that continue to shape political, economic, and sociocultural development. The course is organized thematically around a series of readings that give students an overview of the continent, its history and key topics in African anthropology. Anthropological approaches will be used to understand many of the challenges and innovations experienced across sub-Saharan Africa, including political conflict and democratization, development dilemmas, disease etiologies and witchcraft, popular culture, urbanization and environmental conservation. Through lectures, course readings, and discussions, students will enhance their knowledge of both Africa and anthropology. CC: LCC