Anthropology and Planetary Futures

What can anthropology contribute to Planetary Futures? And how might we retool anthropological inquiry for a f$&#ed up planet? This course’s unique structure cultivates personal pathways of discovery that empower students to seek individual answers grounded in anthropological scholarship to this question. Bridged by an introductory seminar, a mid-semester reflexive seminar, and an end-of-semester capstone analysis seminar, the course offers nine intensive workshops. Each workshop facilitates in-depth engagement with two readings; one critical historical one and one a path breaking contemporary one. Led by nine ANU anthropology faculty, respectively, these concentrated weekly discussions immerse students in nine individual approaches to the interconnections between the theory and history of anthropology on the one hand, and applications of anthropology to planetary futures on the other. By engaging in critical analysis, collaborative discussions, and independent research, students will develop advanced skills in ethnographic inquiry and theoretical exploration – foundational skills for the Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures. This introductory course to the Master of Anthropology and Planetary Futures is intended for students who have a foundational knowledge of anthropology and have completed coursework in anthropological theory or a related field.