Readings:
Fried, Morton, The Evolution of Political Society, "Simple Egalitarian Societies; Rank Society"
Eisler, Riane, The Chalice and the Blade, pp. introduction, chapters 1-4
Formal Paper Assignment:
In what way can you use the Yanomamo, as portrayed in Chagnon's works, as an example of a "rank society" as portrayed by Fried?
Do neolithic societies like the Yanomamö refute a feminist historical argument like Eisler's?
In class:
Second hour: Lecture: Top-down and bottom-up explanations; methodological individualism and the ways it unites diverse theorists (Smith, Darwin, Freud, but not Harris or Marx)
Choose one of the following topics:
First hour: Discussion of papers; some people may be asked to read parts of their arguments.