ANTH 251 - Virtual Communities

This course moves beyond the boundaries of the physically-delimited societies normally studied by anthropologists to consider communities—both real and imagined—connected through electronic media. Particular attention is focused on communities that have developed through the interactive medium of the Internet. We examine these communities through familiar anthropological discussions of the cultural construction of reality, the imagined community, and individual agency and choice. Requirements include active class participation, two short papers, and a research paper and presentation of an on-line community in which the student has participated. (SS)

Prerequisites & Notes
2401C
1300 to 1515. July 14 to August 11 MTWRF; Gareth J. Fisher

Credits: 3