Anthropology!

July 2, 2006 · Filed under Academics, Politics and Society, Pop Culture and Art, University

ANT352Y1
South Asia: Practices, Theories, Representations 52L

This course examines the institution of the royal court in the ancient New World as a nexus for negotiation of power and assertion of cultural identity. Case studies concentrate on the Maya; Aztec and Inca cultures provide important comparative contexts. We also explore the integration of textual and material evidence in investigating ancient cultures.
Prerequisite: ARH305H1
This is a Social Science course.

I think I was 6 or 7 years old when I recognized the difference between South Asia and South America.* Maybe younger. I think it was around the same time when I realized how absurd oxymorons like “ancient New World” can be.

* Someone fucked up. This is the course description for ANT421H1, which, apparently without any sense of irony, is entitled “Royal Courts of the Ancient New World”.

ANT426H1
Orientalism: Western Views of the Other 39L

Language and imagery representing the “oriental” in the West. Emphasis on representations of the “Semites”, the Islamic peoples of North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, as well as the Jews from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.
Prerequisite: ANT323Y1/ANT329Y1/any 300-level course in INI/VIC/NMC/Jewish Studies

Three guesses as to what one of the primary reading materials for this course is. Maybe I should take it and focus on comics, but it’s not offered this year. Besides, in reading over thirty years of Marvel Comics I’ve only ever once come across an Arab superhero. Arabian Knight. He wears a turban, has a scimitar, and flies on a magic carpet. I kid you not:

(That was part of Marvel’s Contest of Champions in 1982. Two years later in 1984 Marvel had a Secret Wars event. Here is one of the funniest videos I’ve seen in a long time, re: Secret Wars.)

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1 Response so far

  1. 1

    WM said,

    July 3, 2006 @ 1:53 am

    Nomes,
    Whilst I urgently recognise that the fate of the world is in our collective hands, will you not take the time out to chomp the roses and also notice the tongue nestling in my cheek? It is disconcerting to be taken this seriously all the time. I assure you, I am a complete wastrel and not at all satisfactory to anyone. Don’t waste time on me, my uncontested and uncontestable friend–I’m just not worth the effort. On another front, Alexander the Great didn’t say this, but he really should have: battles are won in unexpected places and where the hell are my slippers?
    (And yes of course they were set up Nomes, what do you take me for? Honestly! That’s hardly the point.)
    Peace and power to you
    WM

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