Comprehensive ANTH 260 Exam 1: Ethnography, Culture & Globalization (Week 3)

What does Geertz's 'wink vs. twitch' concept illustrate?

The same behavior can have different meanings in different cultural contexts.

What is the holistic perspective in anthropology?

Understanding how individuals, ideas, institutions, beliefs, and practices are interconnected.

What are the unresolved debates in anthropology mentioned in the chapter?

No single definition of culture, dynamism vs. stability, and how institutions change.

What are the lasting effects of colonialism on tourism?

Tourism continues colonial relationships, affecting who travels where and who profits.

What is the ethical dilemma regarding payment in tourism?

Too little payment is exploitation, while too much can distort the local economy.

What is participant observation in ethnography?

It is a method where researchers immerse themselves in the community they study.

Who is considered the father of ethnography?

Bronislaw Malinowski.

What is the difference between emic and etic perspectives?

Emic refers to the insider's view, while etic refers to the outsider's perspective.

What does 'thick description' mean in ethnography?

It refers to detailed accounts that provide context and meaning to social actions.

What is the significance of the term 'informal logic of everyday life'?

It highlights the tacit rules and meanings that govern social interactions.

What is the role of fieldnotes in ethnographic research?

Fieldnotes are written records of observations made during research, essential for data collection.

What is the comparative method in anthropology?

It involves systematic comparison of data from two or more societies.

What is the genealogical method?

It is a method used to trace kin relationships within a community.

What did Philippe Bourgois study in East Harlem?

He studied a marginalized neighborhood with a thriving crack economy.

What is the concept of 'going native' in ethnography?

It refers to anthropologists becoming too involved in the community, losing objectivity.

What is the importance of rapport in ethnographic research?

Building rapport is crucial for gaining trust and access to the community being studied.

What is the difference between headnotes and fieldnotes?

Headnotes are mental notes, while fieldnotes are written records of observations.

What does the term 'intersubjectivity' refer to in fieldwork?

It refers to the relationship between the anthropologist and the people they study, shaping the data collected.

What is the significance of saturation in ethnographic research?

Saturation occurs when researchers keep seeing the same patterns in their data.

What ethical dilemmas arise in ethnographic fieldwork?

Ethical dilemmas include issues of consent, representation, and the impact of research on communities.

What is the impact of tourism on the environment?

Tourism can lead to pollution and disturbance of wildlife, contributing to climate stress.

What is the role of filmmakers in ethnographic documentaries?

Filmmakers often make choices that affect representation, such as staying out of the frame and translating dialogue.

What does 'cultural relativism' mean?

It is the practice of understanding a culture on its own terms without ethnocentric bias.

What is the purpose of open-ended interviews in ethnography?

They allow informants to express their thoughts and connections freely, revealing cultural logic.

How does long-term immersion benefit ethnographic research?

It helps researchers understand the context and tacit rules of the community.

What is the significance of the term 'professional stranger' in ethnography?

It describes the anthropologist's role as neither purely an observer nor a participant.

What is the impact of positionality in ethnographic research?

Positionality affects what researchers see and interpret based on their background and identity.

What is the role of participant observation in ethnographic research?

It involves engaging with the community while observing their daily lives and interactions.

What does the term 'cultural tunnel vision' refer to?

It describes the inability to see beyond one's own cultural biases, leading to ethnocentrism.

What is action anthropology?

Research committed to social change, often involving community members in setting questions and analyzing data.

Define ethnohistory.

A blend of historical and ethnographic approaches to study change, particularly useful for non-literate communities.

What does reflexivity mean in anthropology?

Practiced awareness of a researcher's own perspective and how it influences their research.

What is positionality?

The facts and conditions of a researcher's presence in the field, including age, gender, race, and education.

What is the ethnographic present?

The problematic representation of cultures as static and unchanging, ignoring their dynamic nature.

What is rapid appraisal in anthropology?

Short, focused fieldwork typically lasting from weeks to a couple of months, often used in applied research.

What are primary materials in anthropology?

Original data collected by researchers, such as fieldnotes and recordings.

What are secondary materials?

Materials such as media, reports, and memos that analyze or report on primary data.

What is the significance of life histories in anthropology?

They provide insight into individuals' life stories and how roles change over a lifetime.

Who is Zora Neale Hurston?

An anthropologist and student of Franz Boas, known for her work on Black folklore and autoethnographic storytelling.

What is the Human Terrain System?

A controversial program that embedded social scientists with U.S. military units in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What is the role of ethics in anthropology?

Anthropologists must prioritize the well-being and rights of their informants, protecting their identities and data.

What is participatory action research?

A research approach where community members actively participate in the research process.

What does intersubjectivity refer to in anthropology?

The shared understanding and mutual influence between the researcher and the informants.

What is the significance of fieldnotes?

Fieldnotes are essential for documenting observations and experiences during fieldwork.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research in anthropology?

Qualitative research focuses on understanding cultural meanings, while quantitative research emphasizes numerical data and statistics.

Who is Ruth Benedict?

An anthropologist known for her work on Japanese culture during WWII and the concept of 'anthropology at a distance.'

What is the role of the AAA (American Anthropological Association)?

To promote the study of anthropology and advocate for ethical practices within the field.

What is the concept of 'thinking like an anthropologist'?

Observing how people use space and inferring the intentions behind design choices in their environment.

What is cultural materialism?

The theory that material conditions, such as economy and ecology, shape cultural beliefs.

What is functionalism in anthropology?

The idea that cultural practices and institutions fulfill psychological and social needs.

What is historical particularism?

The concept that each society develops its own cultural traits and unique history, as proposed by Franz Boas.

What is structuralism in anthropology?

The theory that people understand the world through binary oppositions, as articulated by Claude Lévi-Strauss.

What is interpretive anthropology?

The perspective that culture is a shared system of meaning, focusing on symbols and their significance.

What does the phrase 'How much time you got?' signify in a job context?

It refers to how long someone has been on the job, indicating status and hierarchy.

What does 'embodied labor' refer to?

It refers to the physical risks and labor associated with a job, emphasizing the connection between work and the body.

What is the significance of 'positionality' in anthropology?

Positionality refers to how an individual's identity affects their access and perspective in research.

What does 'engaged anthropology' involve?

It involves working alongside communities and using research to support their interests.

What was the outcome of the waste audit discussed in the notes?

Compost was sorted correctly about 93% of the time, while recycling was only sorted correctly about 46% of the time.