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Culture and Wellbeing

Module description

This module explores wellbeing and the diverse ways in which it is understood or enacted in different social and cultural contexts. While the social sciences have often traditionally tended to focus on social problems, crises and pathologies, in this module we invite thought about the good life. Discussions will be structured around a central question: how do people in different places or situations strive to live well, despite the many challenges they face? A predominantly anthropological perspective on this question will be supplemented by approaches from related disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and philosophy. Drawing on ethnographic examples, we will explore various different conceptualizations and experiences of wellbeing, with respect to a range of issues including work and creativity, affect and emotion, sociality and care.

This module is well-suited to students on interdisciplinary pathways in anthropology, sociology, philosophy and psychology. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

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)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the current state of anthropological and sociological debates related to wellbeing;
• 2. Show a developing understanding of specific issues related to the understanding of wellbeing – such as care, work, creativity, or hope – based on anthropological, sociological and related literature.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Link theoretical concepts with grounded examples;
• 4. Show competence in critically assessing claims about wellbeing;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Communicate concepts and ideas clearly both orally and in writing;
• 6. Work independently and in groups, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:

• Suffering and beyond
• Health
• Conviviality and mutuality
• Agency
• Responsibility
• Happiness
• Values
• Care
• Hope
• Work and creativity
• Wellbeing – a critical exploration

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

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. 

Key words search

Wellbeing, good life, culture, care