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240032 VO BM6 Introduction to the anthropology of Melanesia (2025W)
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Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Details
Language: German
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
The course takes place in presence on site at the KSA.
- N Monday 06.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 13.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 20.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 27.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 03.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 10.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 17.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 24.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 01.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 15.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 12.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 19.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
- Monday 26.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal A, NIG 4.Stock
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
The region of Melanesia within the greater Oceania region was characterized by an extremely great cultural diversity. This is reflected both in the large number of languages present, but even more so in the numerous social, cultural, ritual and religious practices found in the ethnically, linguistically and culturally very heterogeneous world. Ethnologists and anthropologists have been paying attention to specific practices and cultural features of Melanesia since the existence of our discipline. The course shows exemplarily the wealth of cults and rituals, which were not only historically important, but also, mostly in modified form, still play a role today. The students will be given an insight into a complex world that offers interesting cultural manifestations from a cultural and social anthropological perspective.
Assessment and permitted materials
One-hour written attendance examination at the end of the course in which four questions are asked and all four must be answered.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
For a positive assessment, 50% of the points must be achieved. (4 questions of 4 pts each; total 16 pts; positive from 9 pts).
The evaluation is based on a point system: 16 points are awarded. 0-8 points = insufficient; 9-10 points = sufficient; 11-12 points = satisfactory; 13-14 points = good; 15-16 points = very good.
The evaluation is based on a point system: 16 points are awarded. 0-8 points = insufficient; 9-10 points = sufficient; 11-12 points = satisfactory; 13-14 points = good; 15-16 points = very good.
Examination topics
1.) course content;
2.) Articles and book excerpts that are explicitly referenced (and partly made available on the moodle platform).
In the course, articles and books on the topic will be discussed, recommended and some of them will be named as examination material. On the moodle platform set up for this lecture, pdf's of articles will be made available, as well as the slides of the Power-Point presentations used.
2.) Articles and book excerpts that are explicitly referenced (and partly made available on the moodle platform).
In the course, articles and books on the topic will be discussed, recommended and some of them will be named as examination material. On the moodle platform set up for this lecture, pdf's of articles will be made available, as well as the slides of the Power-Point presentations used.
Reading list
Alkire, William H.: An Introduction to the Peoples and Cultures of Micronesia. Menlo Park 1977: Cummings Publishing Company.
Allen, Michael: Male Cults and Secret Initiations in Melanesia. Melbourne 1967: Melbourne University Press.
Bateson, Gregory: Naven; The culture of the Iatmul people of New Guinea as revelaed through a study of the „naven“ ceremonial. Stanford 1958: Stanford University Press.
Chowning, Ann: An Introduction to the Peoples and Cultures of Melanesia. Menlo Park/Reading 1977: Cummings Publishing Company.
Cochrane, Glynn: Big Men and Cargo Cults. Oxford 1970: Clarendon Press.
Cranstone, B. A. L.: Melanesia, A Short Ethnography. London 1961: British Museum.
Godelier, Maurice/ Strathern, Marilyn (eds): Big Men & Great Men; Personifications of power in Melanesia. Cambridge/Paris 1991: Cambridge University Press/Editions de la Maison des Sciences de l’Homme.
Langness, L. L./ Weschler, John C. (eds.): Melanesia; Readings on a Culture Area. Scranton/London/Toronto 1971: Chandler Publ. Company.
Lindstrom, Lamont/ White, Geoffrey M. (eds.): Culture, Kastom, Tradition; Developing Cultural Policy in Melanesia. Suva 1994: Institute of Pacific Studies/University of the South Pacific.
Spriggs, Matthew: The Island Melanesians. Series The Peoples of South-East Asia and The Pacific Oxford 1997: Blackwell.
Van Trease, Howard (ed.): Melanesian Politics; Stael blong Vanuatu. Canterbury/Suva 1995: Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, Institute of Pacific Studies/University of the South Pacific.
Allen, Michael: Male Cults and Secret Initiations in Melanesia. Melbourne 1967: Melbourne University Press.
Bateson, Gregory: Naven; The culture of the Iatmul people of New Guinea as revelaed through a study of the „naven“ ceremonial. Stanford 1958: Stanford University Press.
Chowning, Ann: An Introduction to the Peoples and Cultures of Melanesia. Menlo Park/Reading 1977: Cummings Publishing Company.
Cochrane, Glynn: Big Men and Cargo Cults. Oxford 1970: Clarendon Press.
Cranstone, B. A. L.: Melanesia, A Short Ethnography. London 1961: British Museum.
Godelier, Maurice/ Strathern, Marilyn (eds): Big Men & Great Men; Personifications of power in Melanesia. Cambridge/Paris 1991: Cambridge University Press/Editions de la Maison des Sciences de l’Homme.
Langness, L. L./ Weschler, John C. (eds.): Melanesia; Readings on a Culture Area. Scranton/London/Toronto 1971: Chandler Publ. Company.
Lindstrom, Lamont/ White, Geoffrey M. (eds.): Culture, Kastom, Tradition; Developing Cultural Policy in Melanesia. Suva 1994: Institute of Pacific Studies/University of the South Pacific.
Spriggs, Matthew: The Island Melanesians. Series The Peoples of South-East Asia and The Pacific Oxford 1997: Blackwell.
Van Trease, Howard (ed.): Melanesian Politics; Stael blong Vanuatu. Canterbury/Suva 1995: Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, Institute of Pacific Studies/University of the South Pacific.
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Fr 27.06.2025 00:02