Ethnology of Asia

Geographic definition of Asia and the problem of borders between Asia and Europe. Archaeological-historical and linguistic-ethnical overview of Asia. Ethnogenesis of the Asian peoples; first cultures, kingdoms and imperiums. Divisions of Asia (climatic, linguistic, economic, religious etc.). Traditional ways of life in Asian regions (SW, E, S, and SE Asia); economy, dwellings, cities, social organization, religion etc.). Western representations of Asia; socio-political construction of the Orient. European colonialism in Asia. Decolonization, nationalism, postcolonial social changes (chosen cases). Ethnographic cases; contemporary anthropological topics on Asian fields (intercultural conflicts, religious and healing practices, professional groups, bureaucracy, tourism, orientalism today, postcolonial theory etc.). Fieldwork and excursions: examples of classical orientalisms in Slovenia.