2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences55:Cultural Anthropology
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Maho Isono
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S446
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Cultural anthropology is the study of observing and contextualizing what is commonly accepted in everyday life. This lecture will present the fundamental principles of cultural anthropology, beginning with the body as a universally possessed object, in order to provide this perspective. The objective of this course is to comprehend and experience the fundamental concept of cultural anthropology, which is relativization, through various topics.
Course description and aims
Able to describe the culture of the field with a relativistic perspective.
Able to document the culture of the field with an awareness of cultural relativism.
Keywords
culture, nature, religion, food culture and diet, identity
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The process of making one's own discoveries is valued through lectures and discussions.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | N/A |
| Class 2 | What is Culture? | Find three shared behaviors, beliefs, or symbols that exist in the Institute of Science Tokyo. |
| Class 3 | Culture vs Nature | Think of three experiences in your life that you can call "encounters." |
| Class 4 | Religion | Prepare materials for the presentation. |
| Class 5 | Food and Diet | Be prepared to share the characteristics of your eating habits and your thoughts on food. |
| Class 6 | Body Modification | Be prepared to share how you take care of your body, including personal appearance, exercise habits, and diet. |
| Class 7 | Self and Identity | Think about when you have encountered the phrase "being yourself" and how you felt about it. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Reading materials will be distributed as needed during the course.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reading materials will be distributed as needed during the course.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Grading will be based on completing small assignments or essays (50%) and participating in discussions and comments made in the classes (50%).
Related courses
- LAH.H103 ： Cultural Anthropology A
- LAH.H203 ： Cultural Anthropology B
- LAH.H303 ： Cultural Anthropology C
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course. The instructor expects active student participation.
Other
Depending on the number of students and their level of understanding, the syllabus can be modified.