MB689-889: Issues in
Anthropology/ Tutorial Seminar
R. Daniel Shaw,
Professor of Anthropology and Translation
Fall 2007
DESCRIPTION:
Contemporary missiology
is facing monumental worldwide changes with increasing urbanization, pluralism,
and the rapid spread of majority world missions. Contemporary anthropology is also undergoing
radical change as it faces the de-tribalization of
remote cultures and seeks to apply anthropological principles to deconstructing
post-modernity, and globalization. At
this stage in the development of both anthropology and missiology,
it is essential that we understand the interface between the two and seek to
apply cultural theory and method to the development of missiological
theory and method that helps scholars and
practitioners deal with cultural issues in the 21st century. This tutorial-seminar seeks to assist
students who wish to apply anthropological theory to the research and writing
of theses or dissertations that bring the concerns and approaches of
anthropology to doing mission. This
tutorial seminar will be most advantageous to those seeking to combine research
in cross-cultural and pluralist contexts with missiological
issues crucial to doing mission in our day.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Ability to
integrate anthropological theories and/or issues to field research interests.
2. Ability to present a theoretical
rationale for the application of theory to a research context.
COURSE
FORMAT:
The
seminar will meet once a week.
REQUIRED
1. Barrett, S. R. Anthropology, A Student’s Guide to Theory
& Method. U.
2. Salzman, P.C. Understanding
Culture: An Introduction to Anthropological Theory. Waveland Press,
2001.
(Pre-Read Salzman first, then Barrett and write a two page Book review of each,
Due at first class meeting) These two books provide
the conceptual basis of reading for the remainder of the term.
RECOMMENDED
1. Borofsky, R.
2. Garbarino, Merwyn S. Sociocultural Theory
in Anthropology. Waveland, 1983
3. Kaplan, D. & R. A. Manners, Culture Theory. Waveland Press, 1986
4. Langness, L. L., The Study of Culture, Chandler & Sharp,
1987.
5.
McGee, R. J. & R. L. Warms
6.
Perry, R.J. Five Key Concepts in
Anthropological Thinking. Prentice Hall, 2002
Supplementary Reading from “classics” as well as contemporary anthropologists
who may contribute theoretically to a student’s research interests and needs
will be encouraged. Anthropological
reading pertaining to each student’s research interests should total at least
3000 pages.
ASSIGNMENTS:
An
annotated bibliography along with classroom discussion,
and a critiqued presentation will be the focus of first term assignments. Each student will be expected to focus on an
anthropologist, theoretical school or issue they deem most helpful in pursuing
their research interests. The
presentation should relate their chosen theory or focus to their proposed
research showing the rationale, theoretical objectives and missiological
application. The bibliography will be
graded as evidence of progress in assimilating theory and its application to research.
In order to make the presentation and have sufficient theoretical background
for critique of peer papers, students should plan to complete the research and
reading necessary to apply anthropological insights to their missiological materials within the term limits. Presentations will be made during the last two
weeks of the term. Though actual incorporation of critique and final write-up
may be beyond the normal ten-week term, students should turn in a completed
tutorial write-up no later then the end of the following/second term.
PREREQUISITES:
MB520/MB522
or equivalent and MB560 or equivalent, i.e. students should have a basic
awareness of and rationale for the use of anthropological insight and how to go
about collecting and analyzing data. The
focus of this seminar is to apply theoretical issues to a student’s data.
RELATIONSHIP
TO CURRICULUM:
Serves as
an eight-unit tutorial and satisfies one half of the required Doctoral Seminars
and one of two presentations necessary for all doctoral students.