Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter Flashcards

Flashcards on Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter

What is 'Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter' by Talal Asad?

An introduction to a 1973 edited volume by Talal Asad that critiques the relationship between British social anthropology and colonialism. Published by Ithaca Press.

When was 'Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter' published?

1973

Who is Talal Asad?

A prominent anthropologist and editor of 'Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter.' He critiques the colonial roots of British social anthropology.

Who is Bronislaw Malinowski and what is his role in anthropology?

A key figure in British functional anthropology post-WWI, known for developing participant observation methods.

Who is A. R. Radcliffe-Brown?

British anthropologist instrumental in formalizing structural-functionalism in the early 20th century.

What did E. R. Leach argue in 1961?

Leach claimed that 'functionalist doctrine had ceased to carry conviction' (Rethinking Anthropology).

What critique did Peter Worsley provide in 1966?

In 'The End of Anthropology?', Worsley critiqued the relevance and coherence of the discipline.

What was Rodney Needham's position in 1970?

He argued that social anthropology lacked a unified and continuous theoretical foundation.

What did Edwin Ardener observe in 1971?

He noted that British anthropology had changed so much that traditional texts seemed outdated and mechanical.

What geopolitical shifts influenced anthropology post-WWII?

The decolonization of Africa and Asia in the 1950s and 1960s, leading to reassessment of anthropology's colonial ties.

What was the role of the ASA (Association of Social Anthropologists)?

Founded in 1946 to professionalize anthropology; membership grew from under 20 to over 150 by 1962.

How did anthropology change methodologically after WWII?

Anthropologists expanded beyond participant observation to include history, statistics, and interdisciplinary methods.

What criticism did Victor Turner face from Asad?

Turner minimized the colonial entanglements of anthropology, which Asad criticized as naive and dismissive.

How does Asad link anthropology to colonial power structures?

He argues anthropology was made possible and shaped by the unequal power between Europe and colonized societies.

What is the distinction between 'ethnographic holism' and 'totalizing method'?

Ethnographic holism describes interconnected institutions; totalizing method explains parts through systemic development.