The Anthropology of Death

Death is inevitable, but shrouded in mystery and often surrounded by fear, dread and uncertainty. It is no surprise, though, that reflecting on the meaning of death yields a deeper understanding of the meaning of life. In this course we will explore understandings and practices of death as a representation of culture and social organization, as well as situate death within a broader understanding of biopolitics. We will be drawing on materials mainly from anthropology, but also from interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences fields, including religious studies and area studies. Topics include cross-cultural conceptualizations of death, rituals around the body and memorialization, the metaphysical realm, and grief practices. We will be looking at death both in the East Asian and global contexts.