2023-2024 / ANTH0052-3

Anthropology of relationships and the body

Duration

30h Th, 30h FW

Number of credits

 Master in anthropology (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in sociology and anthropology (60 ECTS)6 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of social sciences)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Elodie Razy

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course will discuss concepts and theories developed over time, particularly between the 1970s and 1980s. The dialogue between anthropology of kinship and kinship studies will be addressed as well as the use of methodological tools within the anthropology of kinship.

Particular attention will be paid to approaches focusing on the ideas and uses of kinship studied through various ethnographic case studies, as well as work on variations of kinship in different parts of the world: international adoption, "new" configurations of kinship (blended families, medically-assisted reproduction, surrogacy, etc.), and biomedical practice.

More broadly, the aim is to better understand the role of the body in different relational modes and in the  ongoing reorganization of medical-technical-scientific boundaries.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Students will become critically aware of the latest theoretical developments in the anthropology of kinship as well as the debates surrounding it. They will be able to deal with ethnographic information from their ethnographic fieldwork through two kinship diagrams in a constructed way and use notions they have learned as well as literature, and will be able to deal with social issues related to this domain.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Students must have taken an introductory course in the anthropology of kinship or, at least, be able to get hold of class notes and texts from the "Elements of the anthropology of kinship" Bachelor's course.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Classes, readings, conferences, debates and exercises using the theoretical and methodological tools presented in class (definitions of kinship, approach, diagrams and vocabulary of the anthropology of kinship).

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Recommended or required readings

Students will receive articles and extracts from publications, which they must read. They will also be obliged to read other publications to write their essay.
See "course materials".

Exam(s) in session

January exam session

- Remote

written exam

August-September exam session

- Remote

written exam

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

Students must write a final report based on their ethnographic fieldwork and the material they have read (recommendations, assessment methods and criteria about this exercise will be available on "course materials" and commented on in class). Students will present a text and also prepare and lead a debate.

Written work (50%)

Presentation (20%)

Final discussion (30%)
 

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The lectures are compulsory.

Contacts

Students can arrange to see me by appointment.
Office 2.36 (B31)

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online

Insurance
Insurance

Texts & instructions
Texts & instructions