ANTH 535: Sociocultural Theory in Anthropology

ANTH 535-001: Sociocultural Theory
(Fall 2025)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T

Horizon Hall 5001

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Section Information for Fall 2025

ANTH 535 - 001: Sociocultural Theory

This graduate seminar offers a broad survey of sociocultural theory in anthropology, from the discipline's emergence to contemporary debates. We will examine major schools of thought and the integration of general social theory within anthropology, tracing its development as an empirically grounded yet theoretically shaped practice. The course covers foundational ideas, major theoretical paradigms, and emerging subfields across time. We will evaluate various theoretical approaches in their historical contexts, exploring how they have shaped and continue to influence the discipline. 

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Surveys sociocultural theory in anthropology from the discipline’s origins to contemporary debates. Students will explore influential schools of thought, examining how theoretical approaches have shaped anthropology’s development as an empirically grounded yet theoretically informed practice. The course combines key theoretical texts with ethnographic studies, covering topics from early anthropological concerns to recent developments in feminist anthropology, political economy, and postcolonialism. Students will critically analyze the sociopolitical contexts of scholarly work and the craft of ethnographic writing. Offered by Sociology & Anthropology. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.