The Anthropology of Possible Worlds

Graduate / Professional

This course focuses on the nature of possible worlds: literary worlds (Narnia), ideological worlds (the world according to a particular political stance), psychological worlds (what someone remembers to be the case, wishes to be the case, or believes to be the case), environmental worlds (possible environmental futures), virtual worlds (the World of Warcraft), and—most of all—ethnographic works in which the actual and possible worlds of others are represented (the world according to the ancient Maya). We do not focus on the contents of such worlds per se, but rather on the range of resources people have for representing, regimenting, and residing in such worlds, as well as the roles such resources play in mediating social relations and cultural values. W 9:25am-11:20am