Anthropological Locations: Boundaries and Grounds of a Field ScienceAkhil Gupta, James Ferguson Among the social sciences, anthropology relies most fundamentally on "fieldwork"—the long-term immersion in another way of life as the basis for knowledge. In an era when anthropologists are studying topics that resist geographical localization, this book initiates a long-overdue discussion of the political and epistemological implications of the disciplinary commitment to fieldwork. These innovative, stimulating essays—carefully chosen to form a coherent whole—interrogate the notion of "the field," showing how the concept is historically constructed and exploring the consequences of its dominance. The essays discuss anthropological work done in places (in refugee camps, on television) or among populations (gays and lesbians, homeless people in the United States) that challenge the traditional boundaries of "the field." The contributors suggest alternative methodologies appropriate for contemporary problems and ultimately propose a reformation of the discipline of anthropology. |
Contents
The Fieldwork Tradition and Its Future | 47 |
Locating the Past | 66 |
Transitory Phenomena and the Fieldwork Tradition | 86 |
African Studies as American Institution | 102 |
The Waxing and Waning of Subfields in North American | 117 |
Kath Weston | 163 |
Fieldwork Travel and the Disciplining of Anthropology | 185 |
REFERENCES | 223 |
CONTRIBUTORS261 | 261 |
Other editions - View all
Anthropological Locations: Boundaries and Grounds of a Field Science Akhil Gupta,James Ferguson No preview available - 1997 |
Common terms and phrases
academic African American African studies Akhil Gupta American Anthropological Association analysis anthro anthropol anthropological fieldwork archival argued chapter Chicago colonial complex concept construct contemporary context critique Cultural Anthropology cultural studies culture areas defined diasporic disciplinary discipline discussion ethnog example experience explore Feminist field sites fieldwork fieldwork tradition gender George Stocking global Gupta homeless hybridity ical idea identity institutional intellectual interactive journalists kind knowledge Kuklick lesbian Malinowskian method methodological Nader Native Ethnographer natural naturalists norms objective journalism objectivity observation participant observation political pology position problems processes produced professional queers questions race relations rhizome Routledge Ruth Behar scholars scientific scientists sexuality society space spatial practices string figures structures subfields theoretical theory tion topics understanding United University Press village virtual anthropologist W. E. B. Du Bois Western women writing York