Anthropology Matters Journal, 2000.

Work in progress:

Afoot in Mauritania

Jason Peirce, SOAS

Dealing with unexpected setbacks is one of the challenges of fieldwork, and here the author describes an encounter in which he became the subject of scandal and ostracism. Whilst such negative experiences can be unsettling, they can be put to good anthropological use and serve as a source of insight. However, it is argued that a greater element of practical training would be helpful if research students are to be equipped to think on their feet should difficulties arise.

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Ethnographic quandries and everyday life puzzles - Bakhtin and the study of others

David Herold, SOAS

Drawing on Bakhtin’s writings on representation and dialogue, a critical look is taken on the application of debate during fieldwork. If academic debate lacks openness and the space to change one’s mind, what does this say for the manner in which we engage with the people we do research with during fieldwork? It is argued that both elements of participant-observation make it impossible to achieve dialogue; to do so involves outlining and arguing our opinions and judgements together with the people whom we research, even if this sometimes leads to disagreement. Starting a first draft of a write-up while in the field and using this as a departure for discussion is put forward as one means of achieving such an exchange of opinion.

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A curious relationship

Virgina Whiles, SOAS

Two debates were held at the exhibition ‘Terrains Vague’, drawing on Hal Foster’s text ‘The Artist as Ethnographer’ to examine the relationship between art and ethnography. Participating artists and anthropologists discussed three themes; participant-observation, ‘The Gift’, and the artist as shaman. Areas of affinity would appear to lie within a feminist framework. Areas of opposition may lie in the apparent differences in epistemological concerns. Cultural studies and material culture could serve as a bridgehead between art and anthropology. However, vigorous ethnographic investigation of contemporary art remains scarce.

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Special reports

National Network for Teaching and Learning Anthropology Conference, 12-13 November 1999.

Celayne Heaton, SOAS

In order to explore student-led approaches to postgraduate teaching and alternative means of research training a workshop was facilitated by postgraduate students at a conference entitled ‘Quality Controls: Anthropology, Pedagogy and Higher Education’ held by the National Network for Teaching and Learning Anthropology. During this workshop, the approriateness of anthropological training in imparting skills valued on today’s employment market was discussed, the diversity of teachng methods in departments across the country was commented on, and the inadequacy of fieldwork preparation was highlighted. In the light of these observations, the potentials of new initiatives, such as the ASA Postgraduate Network and student-led teaching and learning provision were put forward.

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Ethnographic Writing in Practice - Report from the Writing Workshop, E@TM, 15th November 1999.

Beckie Marsland, SOAS

A workshop was held by E@TM with the intention of exploring matters relating to ethnographic writing. After an instructive talk on the skills required for the writing process, the participants engaged in a series of writing exercises intended to raise issues for subsequent debate. The group was especially concerned with the implicit presence of an audience whilst writing, the external restrictions on the style and media that can be used in ethnographic representations, the relevance and perceived marginalisation of ethnographic texts, and finally, the limitations of the reflexive genre.

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