Law and Politics In this course we will explore how societies construct, negotiate, and contest political systems and legal frameworks in diverse contexts from an anthropological perspective. We will begin by examining anthropological perspectives on politics and laws across various social structures. We will then discuss dissent, protests, and social movements (e.g., Occupy, Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter). We will inquire into what defines the realms of the political and legal, probing how certain aspects of social life have been structured in explicitly apolitical and non-legal terms. Assigned materials are theoretical and ethnographic readings, supplemented by interdisciplinary and primary sources. The class format includes lectures, media, and group discussion. Students will gain a nuanced understanding of governance, power dynamics, legal norms, and social movements through this course.

The Research Process: Ethnography and Qualitative Methods The aim of this course is to prepare the student to conduct research, to analyze and present research in a scholarly manner, and to evaluate critically the research of others. Practice and evaluation of such basic techniques as observation, participant-observation, structured and open-ended interviews, and use of documents. Introduction to various methodological and theoretical frameworks. Thesis or essay prospectus is the final product of this course. Strongly recommended for juniors. One-hour research lab required.

Anthropologies of the Middle East: Representations, Politics, Cultures In this course we will explore the Middle East, past and present, from an anthropological viewpoint. We will start by looking at how past foreign influences and biased views have shaped how we see the region today and continue with nuanced anthropological works on the diverse peoples and struggles in different parts of the region. Topics will include family, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, the environment, state power, and political resistance. Using visual materials and ethnographic readings, we will challenge common stereotypes, offering a more complex view of the Middle East. Readings will highlight stories that are often ignored, showing the people of the region as active participants in creating knowledge and engaging in political struggles, rather than just static victims or perpetrators, as they are often portrayed, especially after 9/11.

Migration and Social Justice: Power, Place, and Human Experiences. This course examines migration through bottom-up approaches, drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from political and legal anthropology, feminist and decolonial studies, and social scientific and historical methodologies. It critically explores how gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and global disparities shape migratory experiences and influence notions of justice, agency, and belonging. Key topics include migration governance, borders, economic aspects of migration, climate displacement, refugee camps, and everyday lives, agencies, and solidarity practices of migrants; themes explored across South-to-North and South-to-South migration to illuminate the global and interconnected dimensions of migration experiences and governance. Through diverse materials – ethnographic texts and documentaries, primary legal sources, art and activist projects, and podcasts – students will analyze the lived experiences of migrants alongside the structural realities that shape migrants’ lives.

The Enterprising Self: Entrepreneurial Cultures, Modern Subjects In this course we will look at how ideas about self-improvement and being entrepreneurial shape who we are today as humans. We will explore how concepts like self-care and self-empowerment, often seen through a business-like lens, shape our mental and social lives. Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram push us to market ourselves, turning everyday actions into forms of entrepreneurship. Through real-life examples, ethnographic studies, and visual materials, we will examine how socio-economic life and personal choices influence each other. We will take a critical look at how global capitalism shapes our sense of self, showing the ongoing negotiation between personal identity and economic pressures.

Fulya Pinar

Reviews and ratings for Fulya Pinar at Middlebury College.Fulya Pinar teaches Law and Politics, Ethnographic Research, Anthro of the Middle East and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Fulya Pinar good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Pinar is one of the most understanding, accommodating, but also smart anth professors. The class is very eye-opening. If you're interested in migration policy this class is a must. Mondays we were mainly lectured to with group discussions/pair discussions to the readings. Wednesdays were mainly peer discussion-led groups presenting. Super fun class. 

A hard but super interesting and inspiring class! We learned a lot about migration and the nuance and complexity of migration. Pinar is super interesting and we had lots of readings which was the only hard thing. 

It was an interetsing class, I learned a lot about how to conduct research and different research methods. The professor was very interested and engaged in this topic. The field work was also very fun.