Marcel Mauss’ notion of ‘techniques of the body’.

1. Reflective statement: 1500 words, analysing your own ‘techniques of the body’ (30%)

One leading theme of the module is the investigation of the diverse ways in which culture is embodied i.e. is manifested and represented through people’s beliefs and practices. A leading idea here is Marcel Mauss’ notion of ‘techniques of the body’.

Describe three of your everyday embodied experiences and consider the light shed on them when interpreted as techniques of the body. Use what you have learned from sociological approaches and studies of body techniques to interpret each of these experiences.

Your reflective statement should observe the usual academic conventions, including a list of references.

Use 3 examples of everyday body experiences. E.g. Walking, eating, talking

Whilst looking at the documents provided, please can you bring in other key theorists that are spoken about within the PowerPoints. e.g.

– Critique of Mauss (Crossley, 1995)

– Michel Foucault (1926-84): The disciplined body

Please use UK sources where available, dated no older than 10 years.