CAN 8105: ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER SEMINAR
OUTLINE
Facilitator: Prof. Tom Ondicho
Learning Schedule
Program: PhD in Anthropology (Year 1)
Semester: September – December 2026
Venue: Virtual (Google Meet)
Time: Tuesdays, 5:30–8:30 pm
Course Description
This course introduces students to anthropological perspectives on contemporary global issues. Through critical engagement with themes such as indigeneity, migration, material culture, pandemics, popular culture, digitalisation, biotechnology, climate change, terrorism, and social activism, learners will develop analytical tools to interpret the evolving New World Order.
Course Purpose
To equip students with knowledge and skills to critically analyse current world issues from an anthropological perspective and to understand the dynamics of the emerging New World Order.
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Analyse cultural differences and similarities in the New World Order.
- Apply theoretical approaches to evolving popular culture.
- Evaluate the impact of technology on contemporary societies.
- Justify anthropology’s role in explaining global transformations.
Mode of Delivery: Lectures, seminars, workshops, class presentations, tutorials, case studies, group-based learning, problem-based learning, independent studies, and e-learning
Course Content
1) Issues in Anthropology and the New World Order
2) Social Movements, Migration, and War on Terror
3) Foreign Aid, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development
4) Gender, Poverty, and Inequality in the New World Order
5) Governance, Human Rights, and International Relations in the New World Order
6) Indigenous Communities and global struggles in the New World Order
7) New World Order and Global Health in the Era of Pandemics
8) Technology and development
Requirements
Since there are no specific textbooks for the course, the suggested readings represent only the minimum required for learners. Therefore, wide and careful reading is highly recommended. Learners are particularly encouraged to develop a culture of critical and analytical engagement with the recommended readings. Additional readings will be provided in class after each topic.
As part of the course assessment, learners can expect to make at least two presentations on assigned topics and submit two essays for grading. Class presentations, participation in discussions, and written assessments together constitute 100% of the final mark.
Reading Materials
Ahmad, Irfan (2017). Injustice and the New World Order: An Anthropological Perspective on “Terrorism” in India, Critical Studies on Terrorism Vol. 10:1. 115-137
Burgis, T. (2010). The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers, and the Theft of Africa’s Wealth. New York: Public Affairs
Caldaro, N. (2014). Fukuyama, Democracy, and the New World Order of ISIS. Anthropology 2:133.
Cohen D.W. & Odhiambo E.S. A (1989). Siaya: the historical anthropology of the African landscape. Currey publishers, University of Michigan.
Hancock, G (1989). Lords of Poverty: The power, Prestige & Corruption of the International Aid Business. London: Mandarin Publishing
Onditi, F., Ben-Nun-G., De’Alessandro C. and Levey, Z (eds) Contemporary Africa and The Foreseeable World Order. London and New York: Lexington Books Pp. 23-38
Rodney, Walter. (1972) How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
Sachs, J. (2005). The End of Poverty: How can we make it happen in our lifetime. London: Penguin Books
Slaughter, A. M. (2004). A New World Order. Princeton, N. J.: Princeton University Press.
Thorn, V. (2003). The New World Order Exposed. 1st Edition. Peter Currenti Sisyphus Press.
Additional General Readings
1. Kuhn, Thomas (2000). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
2. Feyerabend, Paul Karl (1970). Against method: outline of an anarchistic theory of knowledge. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
3. Karl R. Popper (1962). Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge. New York: Basic Books
- Teacher: PROF. TOM