James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

AN2105:03

Cross-Cultural Concepts of the Self *

26 hours lectures, 12 hours tutorials. Semester 2.

Staff: Dr D Miles (Townsville campus); Dr M Fuary (Cairns campus).

Theories of mind, body and self are fundamental to the social and cultural orientation of individuals and groups. In this subject, the self as a category of thought and as lived experience will be examined. The focus is on self-other relationships, plural or multiple selves, gender and sexuality and the self as a diverse social and cultural concept. Case studies will be drawn from various cultural contexts.

Learning Objectives:

1. examine the cultural and historical paradigm of Western ideas of self;
2. explore a number of cultural approaches to the self;
3. evaluate different approaches to self and identity in the behavioural sciences;
4. analyse the link between formations of self and different areas of human practice;
5. develop a sound understanding of theories of self in at least one non-Western context.

Assessment by tutorial participation (20%); class test (30%); essay (50%).