All societies experience violence in some form, and this course considers violence as a social phenomenon across a range of historical and contemporary settings. Key questions include: is there such a thing as violent culture? Is group identity always violent? In approaching violence from an anthropological perspective, the course emphasises concerns of meaning, representation and symbolism. A central theme concerns the role violence plays in establishing, maintaining and transforming social order. To this end, students will examine subtle forms of violence perpetrated by national and global institutions alongside explicit acts of bodily harm occurring in violent conflicts. A vital aspect of the course involves theorising the relation of the modern state to practices of violence and identity. Students will also consider the position of the researcher in witnessing and writing about violence, and the challenges, ethical dilemmas, dangers and responsibilities involved in such research.

Two 500 word tutorial reading response papers (20%), 1,000 word critical book review (25%), 2,200 word research essay (40%) and participation (15%).

2 hours of lectures and one hour of tutorial per week

Two first year courses to the value of 12 units of Credit.

  or 

Two first year courses to the value of 12 units in the School of Archaeology and  Anthropology (ARCH, ANTH or PREH); or History; or Political Science or Sociology