Globalisation is intrinsically connected to the market. Increasingly, markets become interdependent and transnational and the (neoliberal) market is often understood as the driving force of the globalization processes. Often it is assumed that globalizing markets (capitalism, colonialism, neoliberalism) lead to uniformity of the way in which people conduct their economic activities.
The key questions that are dealt with in this course are: What insights does anthropology and development sociology offer when they study rapidly expanding markets? What are the consequences for societies when markets change, new markets develop, or when existing markets become marginalized? Who are the winners and losers of new economic opportunities? How is trust in markets generated and sometimes broken down again? What are people’s concerns about wealth and profit? What is the (occult) imaginary realm of markets?
This course contributes to:
Becoming familiar with the major anthropological and sociological debates and findings on the nexus of markets, money, and globalization.
Insight into the methodological, particularly ethnographic, approach to the study of markets.
Raising historical sensitivity for our understanding of contemporary markets.
Familiarity with concepts, insights, and methods that reveal that our understanding of markets should not be reduced to the dichotomy rational-emotional.
Research experience: in order to combine theory and method students will carry out a small scale study.
Learning to compare financial communities at the core with those at the periphery.
The insight that anthropology should not confine itself to subaltern studies but that ethnographic research can be very helpful to understand the way in which elites function within markets.
Coördinator
Dr. Erik Bähre: ebaehre@fsw.leidenuniv.nl ; room nr. 3A29A (Pieter de la Court Building)
Onderwijsvormen
Every two weeks we look at a particular theme, or problem with regards to globalization and the market. Lectures, literature (ethnography and online articles), films, and research assignments all concern this particular theme.
Studiemateriaal
*Zaloom, Caitlin (2006) Out of the Pits: Traders and Technology from Chicago to London. University of Chicago Press: Chicago. 238 p. *Bähre, Erik (2007). Money and Violence: Financial self-help groups in a South African Township. Leiden: Brill. 194 p. *Articles available online and/or in reader
Toetsing
*AQCI assignment and presentation: 10% *Interview assignment: 40% *Response: 10% *Final exam: 40%
Rooster
Time:
Fridays 13 February - 15 May 2009, 10-13 h
Place: Pieter de la Court building
13 feb – 20 feb: Room 1A24
27 feb - 27 march: Room 1A11 (no lecture on 20 march)
3 april – 15 may: Room 5B04 (no lecture on 10 april and 1 May)
Exam: 29 May 2009, 10-13 h, room 1A09
Retake: 19 June 2009, 10-13 h, room 5A37
Inschrijving
Dutch students:
Inschrijving op het secretariaat, kamer 3A19, tel. 5273469, vóór 15 januari 2009.
International students:
For application please follow regular procedure through International Office, or contact the departmental coordinator N. Osterhaus-Simic.
Blackboard
Further details on the course will be announced on Blackboard.