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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 present

Meets graduation requirements for

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.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  • Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  • Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  • Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Goal 8: Global Perspective

  • Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.
  • Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.
  • Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.