ANTH 100 Introductory Cultural Anthropology

Overview of Course

Curious about how people live, think, and connect across the globe? This course is your gateway to cultural anthropology, the fascinating study of human cultures. We will dive into some of the most important (and often controversial) topics shaping our world today: culture, gender, kinship, race, power, language, religion, immigration, conflict, economics, and globalization. For example, we may examine Islam, modernity, and urban life in Morocco, youth civic engagement in Hong Kong, urban development and post-war spatial politics in Sri Lanka, or war memory and tourism in Vietnam. In the process, you will learn how to think like an anthropologist by questioning assumptions, digging deeper than surface-level observations, and exploring how cultures shape and reflect human experience. This course challenges you to step outside your comfort zone, re-examine your cultural background, and understand others on their own terms. In a time of global change and cultural tension, anthropological thinking gives you the tools to build bridges, not barriers. Through engaging readings, thought-provoking discussions, hands-on activities, and fieldwork or site visits, you will gain practical skills and fresh perspectives that apply far beyond the classroom.