THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER iS to analyse some of the problems arising out of the application of the methods and approaches developed in social anthropology to the study of more complex societies-whether "historical" or modern societies or parts thereof. We hope to show both the contributions and limitations of some of the concepts and tools of social anthropology in the study of more complex societies. We shall not deal here with general anthropological approaches to such studies (Mandelbaum 1956), nor with such general concepts as "culture" or such general problem areas as "culture and personality," which have developed mainly in anthropology. Nor shall we be concerned with studies of tribal or peasant communities by anthropologists or other scientists who have employed concepts and techniques common to many behavioral sciences. We shall, rather, concern ourselves mainly with the potential contributions to the study of complex societies that have been made by one specific branch of anthropology, namely, social anthropology as it has been developed in England (for a general survey see EvansPritchard 1951; Beattie 1956), and to a smaller extent in U.S. and France (Eggan 1950, 1957; Levi-Strauss 1959). These social-anthropological studies have developed a distinct theoretical model which deals with a certain order of problems or of social phenomena. The development of this model, and of specific rigorous techniques of field work, account for the great impact of

Les jeux et les hommes

Anthropological Studies of Complex Societies

The purpose of this paper is to explore contemporary consumer culture in the making. This is done by means of an analysis of historical consumer cultural products. Through an investigation of a subset of lyrics from the Southern California popular music scene of the early 1960s, themes of hedonic consumption and consumer rituals are analyzed. It is argued that these songs are reflective of a resonant meeting between a market‐oriented culture production system and participation in consumer subcultural systems. As such, it represents an early form of coolhunting. Finally, the themes from the lyrics are used to flesh out the various types and elements of play in consumption practices, as well as to underline the importance of historicizing consumer culture theoretical constructs.

Experience economy in the making: Hedonism, play and coolhunting in automotive song lyrics

[A l'origine dans / Was originally part of : Theses et memoires - FAS - Departement de litterature comparee]

Pour une esthétique du cinéma transludique : figures du jeu vidéo et de l'animation dans le cinéma d'effets visuels du tournant du XXIe siècle

Theories of learning and theories of play have to a large extent been separate fields in academic research. However, new communicative conditions make learners become not only consumers of information but also producers of information, active members of learning communities and for example players of online games. With new resources for communication, new demands and new possibilities are raised for learning. This article argues that there is a need for a new articulation of how we understand learning and in further discusses processes of engagement, meaning making and transformation of signs. The article will also present a design theoretic perspective on learning, related to the question of play and ludic engagement. The concluding remark is that borders between the fields of learning and play are no longer meaningful to uphold.

Les jeux et les hommes

Citations

Anthropological Studies of Complex Societies

Experience economy in the making: Hedonism, play and coolhunting in automotive song lyrics

Pour une esthétique du cinéma transludique : figures du jeu vidéo et de l'animation dans le cinéma d'effets visuels du tournant du XXIe siècle

Designs for learning and ludic engagement

Ritual Clowns and Symbolical Behaviour

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