Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ANT3107: Culture and Wellbeing

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The central aims of this module are to enable you to build an understanding of positive aspects of life and efforts to flourish, often in adverse circumstances; and to critically evaluate claims about wellbeing and the assumptions that underwrite them (including policy statements, political claims, and economic agendas). The module thus aims to seek a balance between critical and constructive approaches. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current state of anthropological and sociological debates related to wellbeing;
2. Show a critical understanding of specific issues related to the understanding of wellbeing – such as care, work, creativity, or hope – based on anthropological, sociological and related literature.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Link theoretical concepts with appropriate grounded examples;
4. Critically assess claims about wellbeing;
Personal and Key Skills5. Communicate concepts and ideas clearly both orally and in writing
6. Work effectively independently and in groups, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Corsín Jiménez, Alberto, ed. 2008. Culture and well-being: Anthropological approaches to freedom and political ethics. London: Pluto.

Ahmed, Sara. 2010. The promise of happiness. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Diener, Edward, and Eunkook M. Suh. 2000. Culture and subjective well-being. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Fischer, Edward F. 2015. The Good Life: Aspiration, Dignity, and the Anthropology of Wellbeing. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Jackson, Michael. 2011. Life within limits: Well-being in a world of want. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Robbins, Joel. 2013. “Beyond the suffering subject: Toward an anthropology of the good.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (N.S.) 19 (3): 447–62.

Skidelsky, Robert, and Edward Skidelsky. 2012. How much is enough? The love of money and the case for the good life. London: Penguin.

Suh, Eunkook M., and Shigehiro, Oishi. 2004. “Culture and subjective well-being: Introduction to the special issue.” Journal of Happiness Studies 5 (3): 219–22.

Thelen, T., 2015. Care as social organization: Creating, maintaining and dissolving significant relations. Anthropological Theory

Hallam, Elizabeth and Tim Ingold (eds.). 2007. Creativity and Cultural Improvisation. Oxford: BERG

Kavedzija, Iza and Harry Walker. 2016. Values of Happiness: Towards an Anthropology of Meaning in Life. HAU Books, University of Chicago Press.