Martial arts offer us a microcosm for studying culture, allowing us to
learn a great deal about ritual, religion, gender, social hierarchies,
and media.  Martial arts instructors teach by opening the doorway to
learning and this is the approach we will be taking in this class.
Assignments will require critical engagement with written works on
martial arts by both academics and martial artists themselves as well
as hands-on engagement with anthropological techniques.  We will focus
on both traditional and modern fighting forms, with an in-depth
investigation of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art combining
dance, acrobatics, music and sparring.  Enrollment is open to all
students regardless of previous experience with martial arts or
anthropology.