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UQx: Anthropology of Current World Issues

3.6 stars
5 ratings

Learn to use anthropological ideas to see the world from a range of perspectives and points of view.

9 weeks
2–4 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Enrollment closed
Future dates to be announced

About this course

Skip About this course

This course will allow you to better understand the world around you through utilising the anthropological lens. You will learn about the way in which anthropology as a discipline can shed new perspectives on current world issues, from indigeneity to migration and material culture.

We want to challenge you to reflect on your own perspective when thinking about these issues, how you see the world and how we all engage with difference and sameness on a daily basis.

We will interview notable anthropologists and follow some around the world and into their field to explore the issues, the people they work with and their place in the world.

At a glance

  • Institution: UQx
  • Subject: Humanities
  • Level: Introductory
  • Prerequisites:

    None

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Anthropology

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • The basic skills of the anthropological toolkit
  • How to better understand cultural differences and sameness
  • How to better engage in cultural comparison
  • How to see the world from a range of perspectives and points of view
  • How to understand key anthropological concepts and methods
  • A knowledge and understanding of current world issues relating to identity, power and everyday life as experienced in a variety of places by a variety of people

GETTING STARTED
EPISODE 1 - ANTHROPOLOGY 101 - I
During the first week of the course, we spend some time introducing the course content and navigation, introducing ourselves and defining anthropology and what it means to be an anthropologist.

EPISODE 2 - ANTHROPOLOGY 101 - II
This week's materials will zero in on Australia as well as migration and how it plays a role in creating multicultural societies.

EPISODE 3 - INDIGENEITY - I
In this episode, we introduce the concept of indigeneity and go into the field with Annie Ross to learn about cultural heritage.

EPISODE 4 - INDIGENEITY - II
This week we explore the Northern Gulf Country of Australia with David Trigger and Richard Martin and discuss indigenous and non-indigenous relationships.

PROJECT WEEK
EPISODE 5 - INDIGENEITY - III
In this episode we meet Diana Young, the director of the UQ Anthropology Museum, to learn about indigenous artifacts and begin work on our own museum project.

EPISODE 6 - LIVING WITHIN LIMITS - I
This week we visit Cuba with Anna Cristina Pertierra and find out what refrigerators can tell us about a family's standing.

EPISODE 7 - LIVING WITHIN LIMITS - II
In this episode we head to Chile with Sally Babidge to discuss the role of diminishing water resources in the community.

EPISODE 8 - LIVING WITHIN LIMITS - III
During this week of the course, Gerhard Hoffstaedter takes us to Malaysia to learn more about the lives of refugees.

EPISODE 9 - LIVING WITHIN LIMITS - IV
In this episode we visit the Darling Downs region of Queensland with Kim de Rijke to learn about unconventional gas mining.

Learner testimonials

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"A fascinating course with high quality material for a range of levels of background knowledge. You actually become a participant in the examination of current anthropological issues. "

"The content is rich and engaging and helpsyou to think critically about issues. Interviewsinclude a wide range of anthropologistsand help greatly in the understanding of anthropology. The course is easy to navigate and allows for good interaction through discussion forums, quizzes and opinion maps."

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