本課設計的宗旨，在藉由閱讀兩本以精細的民族誌研究為本的社會苦難經典著作，試圖了解（一）如何敘事底層人民的日常生活狀態；（二）如何由在地化貌似細瑣的田野資料，以連結全球人類社群（包括台灣）的生命經驗，並重新檢驗社會科學與文化研究的相關重要理論；（三）最重要的是，吾人如何可藉由底層人民的生存意志，以發展與時俱進的抵抗暴力和重建社會正義的具體策略、以及更關鍵的想像美好未來的能力。

The purpose of this course is to learn about (I) how to solve the daily life of the people in the bottom line by reading two classic social hardships based on detailed national journal research; (II) how to connect global human communities (including Taiwan) from localized seemingly detailed field data Experience life and re-examine the important theories related to social science and cultural research; (III) Most importantly, how can we develop a concrete strategy to resist violence and rebuild social justice through the survival will of the bottom-level people, and a more important ability to imagine a better future.

Pierre Bourdieu, et al. 1999. The Weight of the World: Social Suffering in Contemporary Society. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
João Biehl. 2007. Will to Live: AIDS Therapies and the Politics of Survival. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Philippe Bourgois. 2009. Righteous Dopefiend. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Jean Comaroff – four journal articles

Pierre Bourdieu, et al. 1999. The Weight of the World: Social Suffering in Contemporary Society. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
João Biehl. 2007. Will to Live: AIDS Therapies and the Politics of Survival. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Philippe Bourgois. 2009. Righteous Dopefiend. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Jean Comaroff – four journal articles