Lecture Notes on Social Anthropology by Chika Watanabe

Introduction

• Speaker: Chika Watanabe, Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Social Anthropology, University of Manchester.
• Multilingual Introduction:
  • Japanese: Mina san konnichiwa. Watanabe Chika desu.
  • Spanish: Hola a todos. Me llamo Chika Watanabe.
• Personal Background:
  • Third culture kid: Grew up between cultures (Japan, Spain, and English-speaking environment).
  • Experience of feeling different due to language barriers with family.

What is Social Anthropology?

• Definition:
  • The study of cultures, particularly through comparison.
• Key Interests of Social Anthropologists:
  • Examine differences and similarities between societies.
  • Explore ideas of particularity (specific cultural traits) and universality (shared human experiences).
• Challenging Assumptions:
  • Social anthropology questions common sense and norms across cultures.
  • Essential for understanding global social inequalities.

Addressing Global Inequalities

• Focus on issues such as:
  • Race
  • Class
• Example fields of study at Manchester:
  • British anthropologists studying class issues.
  • Watanabe's focus on development and humanitarianism.

Visual Anthropology

• Definition:
  • A branch of anthropology using visual methods (film, photography, drawings, animation).
• Activities include:
  • Conducting research with creative visual methods.
  • Producing visual materials (films, exhibitions).
• Department consists of both writers and filmmakers.

University of Manchester

• Environment:
  • Vibrant, multicultural city with an exciting student life.
  • More affordable than London.
  • Lower university costs compared to the US.
• Faculty:
  • Taught by world-leading scholars.
• Career Outcomes:
  • Graduates often secure exciting jobs.

Personal Reflection

• Watanabe’s own experience:
  • Did not know about anthropology in high school.
  • Lack of awareness about universities in the UK, specifically Manchester.
• Encouragement to Explore:
  • Invitation to learn more about Social Anthropology and the Manchester program.
  • Check the department's website for further information.