Cultural Heritage and Politics in Anthropology

Nazi Takeover of Europe

  • Reference to the historical context of World War II and the implications of the Nazi regime in Europe.

Film Quiz

  • Students will be required to watch a longer film related to the Nazi takeover.
  • Importance of budgeting time over the weekend for the quiz on the following Monday.

Course Survey Feedback

  • Instructor thanks students who filled out the course survey.
  • Plans to discuss survey results and adjust teaching strategies based on feedback received.

Makeup Opportunities for Missed Quizzes

  • Two makeup sessions offered:
    • ** Friday, 12 PM - 2 PM, Room 106, South Stevens**
    • Proctored by Viger.
    • ** Wednesday, 12 PM - 2 PM, Room 232, South Stevens**
    • Part of the instructor's office hours.

Cultural Heritage

  • Introduction to the concept of cultural heritage and its significance in anthropology.
    • Definition of Heritage:
    • Heritage includes both tangible (objects) and intangible (ideas and traditions) aspects.
    • It acts as a connection between contemporary societies and their historical counterparts.
    • Tangible Cultural Heritage: Includes physical items like architecture, monuments, and artwork.
    • Intangible Cultural Heritage: Encompasses oral traditions, performances, crafts, music, etc.

Importance of Heritage

  • Cultural heritage fosters a shared identity among groups across time, linking the past and projecting future values.
  • Critical to understanding ethnicity, race, and national identity.
  • The built environment (e.g., monuments, names) reflects these identities and can influence cultural narratives.
  • Heritage is tied to the political landscape and can represent contestation over different narratives.

Discussion on Heritage and Politics

  • Questions raised about the political nature of heritage claims.
    • What recent examples from current events might illustrate this relationship?
  • Students prompted to reflect on how heritage can be political through written ideas.

Examples of Heritage and Contestation

  • Discussion on monuments in the southern United States, particularly Confederate statues:
    • Removal and recontextualization linked to the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting heritage as a site of political struggle.
    • Tension between historical recognition and contemporary social justice movements.
    • Narratives surrounding monuments reveal deeper cultural tensions and the ongoing effects of racism.

WIPO and UNESCO

  • Explanation of the role of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization):
    • Protects sites of universal historical significance from a global perspective.
  • Introduction to WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization):
    • Facilitates management of cultural intellectual property rights and debates surrounding ownership and profit from heritage.

Importance of Recognition

  • Recognition of heritage can lead to economic benefits:
    • For example, UNESCO listing can boost tourism and related revenues.
  • Recognition often leads to power dynamics where certain narratives are prioritized, silencing others.

Case Study: The Flight of the Condor

  • A short film depicting the battle for recognition of an Andean tune created by indigenous populations.
    • Exploration of who owns cultural expressions and the implications of intellectual property norms.
    • The film's thematic focus reveals the struggle over cultural heritage and recognition.

Authority in Heritage Narratives

  • Michel Bourdieu's insights on the authorization of narratives:
    • The contestation over whose history is recognized and supported, leading to social dynamics including activism, protests, and potential violence.
  • Heritage is a lens for examining the struggle for cultural and political recognition.

Examples of Ongoing Debates in Heritage

  • Ongoing public debates surrounding renaming schools, parks, and monuments:
    • Examples in Maine regarding the removal of offensive names and mascots.
    • Legislative actions and the inconsistency of their implementation indicate ongoing struggles in cultural heritage discussions.

Evaluating Monuments and Cultural Symbols

  • Discussions on what criteria should determine the retention or removal of monuments:
    • Contextual consideration of the historical figures represented.
    • The emotional and cultural implications for communities impacted by these symbols.

Anthropological Perspective on Art

  • Potential definitions of art from an anthropological viewpoint:
    • Art as a physical expression of culture; “all the ideas, forms, techniques, and strategies that humans employ to express themselves creatively.”
    • Consideration of audience reception and valuation of art as significant across contexts.

Artistic Entanglement

  • Understanding how humans and material goods are interconnected:
    • Entanglement reflects the deep connections between people and the things they create and use.
  • Highlights the interplay of human meanings, values, and markets within artistic production.