Today in class we will examine both the life of Bronislaw Malinowski as one of the founding fathers of socio-cultural anthropology but also one of his most significant legacies - the invention of the scientific method of study known as participatory observation or participant observation.
These are just some notes I will speak from in class for reference by those present as well as those absent.
NOTES
These are just some notes I will speak from in class for reference by those present as well as those absent.
- Please note. I invited you to post a response via this blog on the video. Videos should be studied with no less rigor as literate communication. Apply critical thinking skills including 1) comprehension, 2) application to previous learned knowledge, concepts and discourse - cumulative thought (i.e, how much the previous session's study of "How Language Shapes Thought" by Lera Boroditsky applies to thinking about Malinowski's experiences or his work?
- Also a reminder: be in communication about being on time, not being on time or not doing work or attendance that is expected of you as soon as you notice by email or text. And be sure to get your work in NO MATTER WHAT on time. Over communicate rather than calling me for little things you could resolve on your own.
NOTES
- Former disciplinary bias or ethnocentrism; "Culture" vs. uncivilized; Primitives or savages vs. sophisticates. Us vs. Them. See Geico commercials which are satire on this stereotype.
THAT WHICH WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND, WE ALIENATE, WE MAKE 'OTHER' - Pt. 1 video, 8:53"
"If we are all retional, they are not" binary opposition common in Western cultural mindset - EXERCISE: In your culture, what is the hierarchy of ethnic or social groups from high to low. What have you observed without judgment? Just list what reflects the lived experience vs. ideal values.
- A CULTURE CONSIDERED ALIEN: Ethnography of Righteous Dopefiend by Philippe Bourgois and Jeff Schonberg
Next Door But Invisible: The World of Homelessness and Drug Addiction - Pt. 2 video, 1:58" Malinowski looks at all kinds of data, so should you.
What could you study that would make strange familiar or familiar strange? And kind of data do you have access to? What is available for thick descriptions of cultures?
Anthropology was/is riddled with prejudices and lacked rigor thought Malinowski, need a scientifically trained observer (etic POV) - Pt. 2, 3:02" football players who can describe the game but how the social structures work because they are immersed in the culture not observing it (emic POV - native perspective)
Participatory observation is about a shift from the scientist's categories to the native's (from etic to emic). Living with the natives is access to this shift. to experience his vision of the world. Malinowski wanted to experience the everyday life of his subjects. Description and analysis incl. views of actors vs. analysts - Pt. 4, Kula rings and shell trinkets, economy of exchange 5:09"
Material culture has meanings that we cannot see without participatory observation and study, shells showed a chain of relationships and ownership, social network analysis of power and prestige - Pt. 5 1:00" Malinowski saw sophistication and unveiled it for others vs. stereotypical savage. Made it plausible. We might not admire them but we can recognize them as fully human and complex vs. simple and primitive. Their culture is every bit as complex as our own (combat ethnocentrism).
- Pt. 5 7:30" analyzing a toddler party, who gets invited, status, obligation, etc. Cultures are based on different premises. We look to uncover them.
- Pt. 5, 8:30" apprenticeship became standard because of Malinowski
- WATCH THESE 10 MINS: Kate Fox Pt. 6 The racing tribe, doing ethnography, deep hanging out. Ideal culture vs. lived culture (what they said they did and what they actually do).
- Pt. 6, 9" Paradox of being trapped in our own culture, a prisoner of our time and culture no matter what (malinowski and you). 9"
- HOMEWORK: Watch 33" Vimeo Getting People to Talk: An Ethnography & Interviewing Primer http://vimeo.com/1269848
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