An Introduction to Anthropology

Radical Anthropology

An Introduction to Anthropology

Autumn 2014

Symbolic culture emerged in Africa over 100,000 years ago, in a revolution whose echoes can still be heard in myths and rituals around the world. These talks are a general introduction to anthropology, including the latest findings from genetics, biology, primatology, cave painting research and archaeology. There is plenty of time for questions, discussion and socialising.

1. Anthropology Taster Day

Saturday Sep 6   ‘Myths, rituals and human origins’ (11am – 5pm)     Camilla Power, Chris Knight

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2. Talks on Tuesday evenings (6.30 – 9pm)

Sep 23     What does it mean to be human? An introduction to anthropology                   Chris Knight

Sep 30      Claude Lévi-Strauss: The science of myths and fairy tales                                  Chris Knight

Oct 7         Africa, hunger and big business: How ‘development’ aids the corporate takeover of food                                                                                                                                                                  Chris Walker

Oct 14       Did women once rule the world?A new look at the myth of matriarchy         Chris Knight

Oct 21      The stars and the stones: An introduction to archaeoastronomy                          Fabio Silva

Oct 28      Out of Africa or Multiregional Evolution for modern humans – why is there still a debate?                                                                                                                                                Chris Stringer

Nov 4         The problem of economics. Homo economicus and human science                William Dixon

Nov 11      The Golden Bough: Yesterday and today                                                             Robert Fraser

Nov 18      British Pakistani women and the menopause                                                                 Mwenza Blell

Nov 25      ‘Woman’s Biggest Husband Is the Moon’: How hunter-gatherers maintain social equality                                                                                                                                                    Jerome Lewis

Dec 2         How language evolved from singing                                                                     Jerome Lewis

Dec 9         Spirits of the Forest: a workshop on African polyphonic singing                        Ingrid Lewis

Dec 16      A Christmas fairy tale: ‘The shoes that were danced to pieces’                           Chris Knight

All events held at the Cock Tavern, 23 Phoenix Rd., NW1 1HB (Euston). Talks are free but small donations welcome.

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