240033 VS Critical Arts: Social Conditions of Exclusion (3.3.6) (2022W)

Underpinning an intersectional analysis across race, gender, class, (dis)ability, nationality, etc., the students will read and discuss different forms of texts, addressing key issues in social justice in the context of art and culture. The students will get an in-depth training in analyzing visual material through the lens of social theory, an essential skill to practicing contemporary anthropology and to professional life. The aim is to furthermore introduce students to different ways of writing and styles of narration, in order to assist and guide their own writing process, and foster the development of analytical skills and critical approaches to thinking and writing. The class features regular in-class discussions with the instructor, a group art visit, and a workshop to draft the final papers and practice peer-feedback and review.

Three main learning objectives of the course are:

Intersectionality – students will learn to identify the spectrum of diverse and interconnected social justice issues; differentiate among intersecting axes of inequality;

Analyzing visual material – analyze visual material; identify, describe and interpret visual elements and the material context they are embedded in; compare and contrast visual content and the social context it is operating within;

Academic writing – discuss theoretical concepts and ideas; develop an engaging, consistent and justified argument; compose a coherent and conceptually compelling academic text addressing and responding to current issues in social and cultural anthropology.