Anthropology

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Let's say I was a researcher in education focusing on the emotional needs of children in the classroom. Now a particular group of children is performing very poorly. Coincidentally, they all come from a minority culture very different to the prevailing Western culture. Would this be a good time to consult my colleague, the educational anthropologist?

I'd rather call the cultural studies in education crowd, who are explicit about the relationship being between culture and education. More duplication? Mmm...

Originally posted by Palynka
I'd rather call the cultural studies in education crowd, who are explicit about the relationship being between culture and education. More duplication? Mmm...

Is there a practical difference between cultural studies and anthropology? Cultural studies postdates anthropology as a discipline and has been dismissed as a fad, yet you automatically favour it above your pet hate.

"Cultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory, which combines political economy, communication, sociology, social theory, literary theory, media theory, film/video studies, cultural anthropology, philosophy, museum studies and art history/criticism to study cultural phenomena in various societies."

With all that 'duplication', surely your critique of anthropology applies to cultural studies in equal measure.

Originally posted by Palynka
I'd rather call the cultural studies in education crowd, who are explicit about the relationship being between culture and education. More duplication? Mmm...

And perhaps the cultural studies crowd would produce their own cultural anthropologist, like a cute ritual object.

I have to ask what your enormous beef with anthropology is. It seems personal. Of all the questionable 'sciences' out there, why pick on this one?

Originally posted by Palynka
See the Wittgenstein quote above.

What is a holistic study of mankind? Can you give me an example of a paper that doesn't square perfectly into other fields?

It's a Heidegger quote.

You used a Nazi to bash 'imperialist' anthropology.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Is there a practical difference between cultural studies and anthropology? Cultural studies postdates anthropology as a discipline and has been dismissed as a fad, yet you automatically favour it above your pet hate.

"Cultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory, which combines political economy, communication, sociology, social ...[text shortened]... ication', surely your critique of anthropology applies to cultural studies in equal measure.

I love the fact that they don't pretend they are studying some elusive essence of "mankind" when in fact they are simply overlapping other fields.

Cultural studies are honest in that they study culture for itself, not as anthropology does, as a window to understand "mankind".

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
It's a Heidegger quote.

You used a Nazi to bash 'imperialist' anthropology.

Heidegger it is.

Oh, my! I used a Nazi? I wonder if he also thought the grass was green. Shall I revise that too?

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
And perhaps the cultural studies crowd would produce their own cultural anthropologist, like a cute ritual object.

I have to ask what your enormous beef with anthropology is. It seems personal. Of all the questionable 'sciences' out there, why pick on this one?

I already said what my beef was. I'm still puzzled why you seem so upset about this, but I have to confess that your irritation is mildly amusing.

Originally posted by Palynka
Heidegger it is.

Oh, my! I used a Nazi? I wonder if he also thought the grass was green. Shall I revise that too?

You have to admit it's ironic.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
You have to admit it's ironic.

It is! 🙂

Friends again?

Originally posted by Palynka
It is! 🙂

Friends again?

I'll think about it.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
I'll think about it.

Think of me as an anthropological curiosity.

Convinced?

Originally posted by Palynka
Think of me as an anthropological curiosity.

Convinced?

Are you prepared to don a clown suit and be dispatched on a raft to New Guinea?

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Are you prepared to don a clown suit and be dispatched on a raft to New Guinea?

I'm quite unprepared. I'm lacking a clown suit and a raft.

Originally posted by Palynka
I'm quite unprepared. I'm lacking a clown suit and a raft.

You lie.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
You lie.

Ok, I confess I do own a clown suit. 😞