300636 Anthropology of Urban Spaces (S) (SoSe 2020)

How do we understand cities anthropologically? What is the difference between an anthropology of cities and anthropology in cities? What can anthropology tell us about cities, and what do cities teach us about anthropology? Is there even such a thing as ‘Bielefeld’, ‘Berlin’ or ‘London’ or should we think of them as plural entities, as ‘Bielefelds’ etc?

This course thinks through these issues through a range of readings and some practical exercises. We are talking of anthropology of urban spaces, but also will do much of our research in urban spaces. We will consider what anthropologies of cities should include and gather some of that information through a small number of our own practical exercises. This module involves reading about cities but particularly in part 2, getting out of the library and exploring cities first-hand. For those who live full-time in Bielefeld, all that can be done here. For those who visit other cities during the module, you can also do some exercises there too. These can be done individually or in small groups as you prefer.

The course will also allow you to make direct connections between theory and practice in anthropology, and to understand on a personal level the ways in which the two are linked.

All students are expected to be present in all sessions and to participate in discussions. If you feel that English may be a challenge, this module is a good opportunity to work with some accessible texts and ideas in their original language and become familiar with academic reading and writing in English.