Anthropology 340et - Seminar: Topics in Anthropology-Ethnographic Writing

Anthropological writing must convey the life-worlds of people and the textures of ethnographic encounters and fieldwork, and refine anthropological theories. How can writing do all of this at once? And as this course crafts a narrative, what does it leave out? Is ethnographic “reality” really described or are anthropological fictions created? Why then does this class look to ethnographic accounts to understand societies and cultures? Anthropological writing has dealt with these questions and more since its inception, but most profoundly since the 1980s. Students read pieces that reflect on and innovate with writing as anthropological praxis, and related issues of fact versus fiction, the politics of representation, narrative style, writing as a form of political action and the role of theory in the creation of knowledge. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

[CE] JR/SR only