On October 31, 2019, Prof. Jing Jun from the Department of Sociology of Tsinghua University gave a lecture on “Anthropological Theoretical Concern” at the Institute of International and Area Studies (IIAS) of Tsinghua University, which is the third lecture of “Anthropology Lecture Series”. Professor Liu Xiabei from Beijing Normal University joined this lecture.

First of all, Prof. Jing Jun reviewed the anthropological theoretical paradigm, focusing on the influence of social evolution and explaining the characteristics of functionalism, historical particularism, French Almanac school, Marxist anthropology school and postmodernism. He illustrated the influence of the theory of evolution on the studies of marriage, family, and religion, and used anthropologists such as Malinowski, Bovac, Moss, and Benedict to explain the differences in theoretical schools.
Afterwards, Prof. Jing Jun described the theoretical contributions of the older generation of Chinese anthropologists, as well as that of contemporary Chinese anthropologists for Chinese native anthropological theories.

Finally, he introduced the application of anthropological theories, including the differences and connections between macro-theories, middle-level theories, and micro-theories. He also explained the strategy of choosing the theoretical framework by taking the study of Leprosy Village in China as an example. Finally, Prof. Jing Jun and the students had a lively discussion.

* The Anthropology Lecture Series Fall 2019, hosted by the Institute of International and Area Studies (IIAS) of Tsinghua University, aims to use anthropological perspectives, methodology and empirical cases to provide fieldwork guidance and advices for doctoral students and scholars participating in the lectures.

By Ji Ruobing & Cheng Yao