Structures of Anthropological Argument
Department of Anthropology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Prof.David Koester
"Structures of Anthropological Argument" is a course designed to prepare students for graduate study in anthropology by introducing them to the various ways anthropological research is discussed, supported and critiqued. This online version of "Structures" follows very closely the in-class version, substituting for classroom lectures and discussion relevant short readings, written mini-lectures, "handouts" and bulletin board discussions. Students will engage in exercises and writing projects that will allow them to examine and work with various forms of anthropological argument.
The primary aims of the course are thus:
a) to help the student to understand and make use of anthropological arguments;b) to analyze and evaluate basic assumptions that have been used in anthropology and that, in many cases, still play a role in or underlie anthropological argument today;c) to understand the audiences for particular concepts and forms of argument;d) to learn to critique anthropological arguments primarily in order best to be able to extract those arguments that seem correct, powerful and/or useful;e) to help the student to formulate his/her own arguments, and to understand the audiences for particular forms of argumentation.