In Module 1 we learned that ethnographies are in-depth studies conducted by anthropologists of the everyday practices and lives of a people or culture. Many ethnographic books follow a certain pattern in their organization which you may observe in the book you selected. The location of the culture studied is described, followed by an introduction that details the principal focus of the book (the main research questions). Most ethnographies relate to theoretical issues in anthropology, thus contributing to the development of the discipline, but many also engage broader social issues (race/gender relations, inequality, workers’ rights, etc.). Following the introduction, ethnographies often contain a section on methods detailing the field work conditions and how the data was collected. The next part of an ethnography takes the reader into the empirical data collected. Along with this “thick desсrіption” of the culture/people, the ethnographer analyzes his/her data and draws conclusions that are supported by the data.
In this final written assignment, you will be reading a book-length ethnography by a cultural anthropologist. In your paper you should demonstrate and apply what you have learned about cultural anthropology so far this term to your critique of your selected ethnography.
In her blog post/article “What Makes Something Ethnographic?,” Carole McGranahan concludes that successful ethnographies demonstrate the following three characteristics:
a transparency of the ethnographer as researcher; not gratuitous reflexivity, but a clear and communicated sense of how knowledge was accumulated, of what the scholar’s relationships with the community were;
the presence of people in the text as characters who you get to know, people who appear as themselves, as real people; and
clear demonstration that the topic being studied matters; mattered not only in an anthropological sense, but mattered and was relevant to the people in the community.
Describe how well the ethnography you read demonstrates these three characteristics. Is the book you read “successful” as an ethnography? In doing so, be sure to discuss the following:
Trait 1: Describe what the author says about their role as researcher. What difficulties (if any) did the anthropologist encounter? What was their relationship with the community they studied?
Trait 2: Discuss the empirical data and material collected by the author. How convincing was the evidence that the author used to support their argument? Did the people in the text come alive to you as characters who you got to know?
Trait 3: Identify the author’s contribution to anthropology/anthropological theory and the broader impact and importance of the topic studied. What were the central research questions, and why do they matter? How do the topics raised in this book connect to course readings/films? (trait 3).
The final paper is to be 5-7 pages in length (approx. 1500-2100 words) double-spaced (12 pt. font). Be sure to proofread for errors in spelling, typing, grammar, word usage and writing mechanics. If you are including additional sources, they must be properly referenced using APA or MLA citation format.
Book Picked – Ayya’s Accounts: A Ledger of Hope in Modern India by Anand Pandian and M.P. Mariappan (Indiana University Press, 2014; paperback). Read a summary of this book (Ebook available in ESC Library).
Summary From Amazon – Attached will be all of the chapters that I was able to download.
https://savageminds.org/2012/05/31/what-makes-something-ethnographic/
Resources From Throughout the Course – Links Below – I am not sure which ones will be needed so I am attaching what was read throughout the course.
Chapter 2 – Doing Fieldwork: Methods in Cultural Anthropology
https://www.npr.org/2009/02/08/100339404/our-awareness-controls-human-destiny
https://www.pbs.org/thelinguists/Endangered-Languages/Hear-Them-Spoken.html
Chapter 13 – Seeing Like an Anthropologist: Anthropology in Practice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v＝XNus-xZ7_6Y
Essay Evaluation Rubric
Thesis – Clear thesis statement of argument for the essay. Shows original thought and analysis.
Development of Argument – Accurate and appropriate use of evidence to support argument.
Structure and Organization – Logical and coherent structure, smooth transitions. Essay has an introduction and conclusion.
Integration of Sources – Makes analytical connections across course materials. Uses sources to critically discuss themes.
Grammar, Syntax, Language Choices, Spelling – Proper grammar, word usage, varied sentence structure, appropriate tone.
Formatting – Title page, page numbers, sections labeled, proper citation format in text & in bibliography.
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