Anthropology

This course studies the unique federal cultural landscape of Germany and, more specifically, the international cultural metropolis of Berlin which is home to world-class cultural institutions (such as the Staatliche Museen, Museumsinsel, or the Berliner Philharmoniker), traditional theaters, artistic avant-garde, a diverse music and literary scene, sites of the Remembrance, as well as events and clubs. The course considers how the cultural business is structured, how it is funded, the actors involved, and the role that culture plays in Berlin's development. Students get to know cultural institutions from different areas: museums, orchestras, theaters, cultural-political highlights (such as the Humboldt Forum or private initiatives), music labels, and socio-cultural projects. With the help of current and historical texts, through research and field research (individually or in small groups), students develop an overview of what "culture in Berlin" means in concrete terms. Excursions are also planned in Berlin to see and experience the culture as well.

This course examines the intricate links and parallels between the arts, science, philosophy, architecture, mysticism, medicine (both western and eastern), law, and economics, through understandings of the human body.

This course examines health, lifestyle, and medicine from cultural analytical and ethnographic perspectives.  The course covers current societal issues relating to illness, diagnosis and well-being in contemporary and historical societies. Students discuss these issues in relation to different cases such as the meeting between doctor and patient, living with chronic disease, controversial biotechnological diagnoses and treatments, and discourses on risk and responsibility. The course is based on current research in ethnology, medical anthropology, and cultural studies, including questions about the body, illness experiences, disability, ethics, and the new health economy. Lectures, seminars, and group exercises cover the theoretical understanding of how aspects of identity, class, gender, ethnicity, and age intervene in medical treatments and lifestyle patterns.

This course examines the symbiotic relationship between power and wealth. Part I explores power, how it is produced, the way it works, and its relationship with inequality; Part II examines the production and circulation of wealth through the lens of economic anthropology; Part III focuses on neoliberalism through an anthropological critique of colonization and development. The course includes a short ethnographic project.

Italy possesses one of the richest culinary traditions in the world, with roots reaching back to ancient times. Students explore literature detailing matters of Italian food culture in a dense array of settings. Part of the course is conducted on site, exposing students to Rome's rich network of food distribution systems, as well as touring areas in proximity of Rome to discover the close linkage between the territory, its inhabitants, and consumable food products. Topics covered include the cultural ecology of pasta, the historical evolution of spices, the special character of Alpine ecosystems, the moral implications of food consumption, modern food distribution, the globalization of taste, and responses to globalization especially through the Slow Food movement. Throughout the course attention is paid to the role of food practice in contemporary Italian society and culture, with special attention to gender. In order to put principles into practice, the structured experience of food and wines is an integral part of the course.

This course is designed for students wishing to clarify and advance their career goals through a 16-week internship in Thailand. It provides a structured learning environment to help students make the most of their internship experience. While there are no regularly scheduled class meetings, internships are conducted under the close academic supervision of the Social Policy & Development department at Thammasat University. An assigned internship coordinator provides oversight and guidance for the duration of the internship. The course requires a minimum of 128 total work hours. To facilitate the completion of the internship and maximize skill acquisition, students are required to work at least one full day per week at their internships. Graded Pass/No pass only.