Dr. Schwartz
What is culture, and why is it important? If you’re curious about culture, this course is for you! We cover how anthropologists have defined culture and howthe anthropologicalculture concept has been influential in themilitary, corporations, and politics. We exploreanthropological discoveries about kinship, gender, and sexuality; compare political and economic systems based onsubsistence, reciprocity,and money; and ponder variation in religious beliefs and ritualpractices associated with magic, witchcraft,andmillennial movements. In lieu of a final exam, students have the opportunity to participate in an epic finale, a mock congress dedicated to debating and voting on a bill legalizingthe “cultural defense.” Through this course, students will learn why studying culture is crucial to understanding our increasingly connected planet, and why an anthropological perspective is essential to resolvingthe major crises that confront humanity today.