Anthropology 697LT - ST-Topics/AnthroComtempLatinAm

We examine the four subfields of Anthropology and how the discipline addresses the people and places that shape and are shaped by the nation state, diaspora, linguistic diversity, gender, migration, class, sexuality and power dynamics. Readings include: The Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean by Harry Sanabra; The Forging of the Cosmic Race, by Colin MacLanchlan and Jaime Rodriguez; La Negociacion de lo Oculto Chamanismo, Medicina y Familia entre los Siona del Bajo Putumayo by Jean Langdon; Fronteras, Puentes y Movilidades by R. Aida Hernandez Castillo y Francisca James Hernandez; Adoring the Saints: Fiestas in Central Mexico by Dina Sherzer, Joel Sherzer, and Yolanda Lastra; Unfinished Conquest: The Guatemala Tragedy by Victor Perera. In addition, lectures, readings and discussions will address agency and resistance in various countries of Latin America, in the their local, national, and global contexts. Finally, we explore the inclusion and exclusion of indigenous people in the academy of Anthropology through readings produced by the Comunidad de Estudios Mayas. Readings will draw from writings, lectures and films by scholars of Latin America. Basic reading and listening comprehension of Spanish is necessary.

Open to Graduate students only. Basic reading and listening comprehension of Spanish is necessary. Course is primarily for graduate students, but interested undergraduates may be accepted with permission of instructor.