ANSO 315 Exploring Emotions in World Cultures and Societies
Starting from the premise that emotions don't occur in a socio-cultural vacuum, this course asks: How do cultures and societies shape and influence the experience and expression of emotions? Anthropological and sociological course materials on studies ranging from Bali to Brazil, from Egypt to the U.S. will explore many dimensions of emotions, including: the socialization of emotions; norms governing ways fear, anger, sadness, joy, distress, empathy and more are manifested, understood and treated in diverse cultures; how social, economic and political climates affect emotional experience.
Prerequisites
4 Undergraduate credits
Effective August 18, 2025 to December 14, 2025
Learning outcomes
General
- Demonstrate understanding of a wide range of social science research on emotions, drawing on insights from ethnographic cases and other qualitative source materials.
- Analyze ways that the social construction of emotions in diverse societies and cultures affects the experience and expression of emotions.
- Apply social science concepts to think critically and creatively about debates over the universality versus the socio-cultural specificity of emotions.
- Integrate and synthesize theoretical and empirical studies of emotions through oral presentations, essays and reflections that are informed, well-reasoned and literate.