Middlebury

SOAN 0344

Anthro Political Polarization

Anthropology of Political Polarization
In this course we will apply the anthropology of evolution, religion and politics to analyze the operative mechanisms of political polarization. Our framework will include natural selection for accountability, moralism, and factionalism; how social groups define themselves through mimesis, othering, and scapegoating; how scapegoating justifies aggression; how sacrifice and other forms of ritualizing victimhood generate sanctity, sacrilege, and outrage; and how religious and political loyalty tests enforce social boundaries. Our case studies will include how antagonistic groups in contemporary U.S. society formulate conspiracy theories to justify mutual rejection 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Subject:
Sociology/Anthropology
Department:
Sociology/Anthropology
Division:
Social Sciences
Requirements Fulfilled:
AMR NOR SOC

Sections

Fall 2018

SOAN0344A-F18 Lecture (Stoll)