Cultural Anthropology For Cross-Cultural Engagement & Development (DM9011W)

Content

This unit introduces students to the field of cultural anthropology by describing the nature of culture and outlining various anthropological theories of culture and society. It examines human beings within the context of their social systems, relationships, economies, political institutions, religions, rituals, objects, activities and the meanings that people apply to them. Furthermore, it introduces methods for investigating and understanding culture and worldview, the relationship between Christianity and culture and it emphasises the importance of cultural investigation and understanding for fruitful intercultural encounters and ministry.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Lectures, Tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

• Bevans, Stephen. Mission and Culture: The Louis J. Luzbetak Lectures, 2000-2010. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2012.
• Barnes, Alan. History And Theory In Anthropology. Cambridge: Cambridge: University Press, 2000.
• Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books, 1973.
• Grau, Marion. Rethinking Mission in the Postcolony: Salvation, Society and Subversion. London: T&T Clark, 2011.
• Haviland, W., and Prins, H., and Walrath, D., and McBride, B. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge. 12th ed. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008. (recommended for purchase)
• Hiebert, Paul. Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
• Howell, Brian M., and Paris, Jenell W. Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011. (recommended for purchase)
• Kraft, C H. Anthropology for Christian Witness. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1999. (recommended for purchase)
• Kuper, Adam. Anthropology and Anthropologists. The Modern British School. London: Routledge, 2006.
• Loewen, Jacob. Culture and Human Values: Christian Intervention in Anthropological Perspective. Pasedena: William Carey Library, 1975.
• Luzbetak, L J.* The Church and Cultures: New Perspectives in Missiological Anthropology*. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1988.
• Moreau, A. Scott., and Campbell, Evvy Hay., and Greener, Susan. Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014.
• Morris, Brian. Religion and Anthropology. A Critical Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
• Rynkiewich, Michael. Soul, Self and Society: A Postmodern Anthropology for Mission in a Postcolonial World. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2012.
• Taber, Charles. The World is Too Much With Us: Culture in Modern Protestant Missions. Macon: Mercer University Press, 2000.

Assessment