UWF Anthropology Department Academic Genealogy

For the final project in Presenting Anthropology, the Avant-Garde Challenge, I collaborated with Christina Estep, a fellow cultural anthropology graduate student. Tina conceived of the idea, based on a similar project at her undergraduate institution of William and Mary, to develop an academic genealogy chart for the University of West Florida Anthropology Department. Check out her description of the process and see the charts as they were in development over at her blog, One Does Not Simply Write About Anthropology. Her posting features the cultural anthropology chart, as well as charts which show her academic lineage at UWF as well as mine. It also includes a rough draft of the chart for the entire department.

In this posting, let me share the finalized chart which went into the final portfolio for Presenting Anthropology. Tina and I hope to develop this further, especially be filling in the missing gaps, and make this into a poster to be showcased in the department.
EGO is the place of any student in the department.

Making Important Connections.

So, I have to apologize once again for the gap in posting. But, I have a good excuse this time. I went out and got hitched! I'm married to a wonderful person who loves it when I talk anthropology. And it was a beautiful ceremony, if I do say so myself. And the music was excellent. I carefully constructed the playlist myself, which was basically a celebration of classic rock and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.I have great taste.

All kidding aside, here's an anthropological tidbit by yours truly. This week is the last week of Presenting Anthropology. We are turning in our portfolios and our papers. As part of my portfolio, I chose to revise my "Cultural Consonance Infographic", which coincidentally has been the most popular post on this little blog of mine. I revised it to add pictures and an example of cultural consonance, at the behest of my classmates. Enjoy, and once again I welcome comments and feedback.

Ethnography Tool Kit

Tomorrow we're presenting our projects for the Presenting Anthropology seminar Kids Challenge.

I've wanted to do some kind of sewing project for quite awhile. I used to love to sew back in the day, (nut I'm not claiming I was very good) and I haven't done anything for several years. So, for the kids challenge I decided to try my hand at sewing something.

Initially I thought it might be cool to make dolls of prominent anthropologists. But I've never made a very detailed doll before. Eventually I was inspired by an Etsy find, Plush Archaeology Tool Kit, to try my hand at making some items to represent tools an ethnographer might use.

The above picture represents the result: The Plush Ethnography Tool Kit. From left to right you have a tape recorder, a camera, and a notebook. Other items could and should be added, but my time did not permit.

"An ethnographer is a person who watches and interacts with other people in order to learn from them."

I chose a tape recorder because they are pretty much standard equipment for ethnographers in the field. Not only do they allow an ethnographer to record hours of conversation accurately and efficiently, tape recorders personalize and preserve the participant and their unique perspective.
"An ethnographer uses a tape recorder to save the special voice of another person."

I chose a camera because, while perhaps not in use by every ethnographer, they are still a vital part of ethnography for many. We have all heard that a picture speaks 1000 words, but for an ethnographer a photograph can say more than that. A camera can capture rich detail that an ethnographer can revisit and reintrepret.
"An ethnographer can use a camera to save a scene which they consider unique."

On first thought, a notebook might seem an odd choice for the ethnography tool kit. Many people record information with laptops or cell phones. I personally prefer to take notes in class using my computer. But in the field, stopping to play with your cell phone and especially your laptop may seem rude. (Although this is not always the case.) Despite my preferences in the classroom, I still carry around scraps of paper, notebooks, and pens for jotting down quick thoughts. While that may not be applicable to all ethnographers, I think it it is safe to consider the notebook as a quintessential element of the ethnography tool kit.
"An ethnographer uses a notebook to record important details about what they see, hear, or feel."

Each of the bold statements about the tools would be adapted for children and included in the kit. I picture each of them accompanied by something like a 3X5 index card, laminated, with some illustration (I'm picturing a Curious George style) showing how they're used.

Advice from a Cultural Anthropology Graduate Student

 Sorry for the delay in posting. I've had a busy month.

First things first. I attended the annual Southern Anthropological Society meeting in Johnson City, TN. It was hosted in a beautiful hotel, I saw some good presentations, and met some interesting people. I don't know why I don't attend more conferences in anthropology. They are wonderful.

Before I left for the conference, however, I interviewed for Dr. Kit's website about advice for students interested in pursuing specific college majors. I was asked to participate by my department chair. And honestly, I didn't mind. I figure it would be a useful exercise for me to practice speaking about cultural anthropology. I'll probably have to deliver this kind of dialogue multiple times in my career. And hopefully it will be useful for potential students, too.

So check out Advice from an Anthropology Graduate Student (Cultural), which features me being solicited for advice about being a cultural anthropology student.

Of course, I wish I had said some things differently and elaborated on others, but overall I’m satisfied and I think the information is useful.

Comments are disabled on the actual YouTube video, so feel free to come back here and leave me a comment here

Meet Amanda by Nelma K Bell

So if you haven't seen this posted anywhere else yet, let me draw your attention to the following link!

Meet Amanda by Nelma K Bell

Nelma Bell, an absolutely amazing anthropological grad student in my department, is making a series of jewelry inspired by the work of her fellow students. And she did me first! I'm so proud and honored.
She created necklaces featuring the concepts and individuals who inspire my work, and put them in a Treasury of other interesting items.

So check it out and revel in the glory of anthropological jewelry. How often do you see that in the store?