JANUARY 18, 2006-- ANTH 3100A: CENTRAL AMERICA
INSTRUCTOR: ALBERTO GUEVARA
In this Book Review you will focus on issues pertaining to the
ethnographic/anthropological representation of the people of the rural highlands of
Guatemala. By analyzing Linda Green’s ethnography Fear as a Way of Life, you will take
into consideration the challenges and the role of ethnography in representing the links
between recent political violence and repression and the long-term systematic violence
connected with class inequalities. Based on careful reading of this ethnography, you are
asked to reflect on the following: In what new ways does Green reach out to people in
such circumstances? How do you think this book is a major contribution to critical
anthropology? What are the theoretical, methodological and ethical dilemmas that
confronted the author?
The point of a scholarly book review is not to summarize the content of the book,
but to situate the historical/anthropological merit of the book and to evaluate critically the
author's purpose, thesis, contentions, and methods of analysis. Hence, the bulk of the body
of one's review essay will be an evaluation of how convincing was the author's
presentation of his/her thesis, and a commentary on the book's contribution to one's
understanding of important issues in the ethnographic process and anthropological
representation.
Book reviews will be approximately 1,200 words (roughly 3-4 pages) in length.
(Do a word count on your word processor.) An essential feature of a good book review is
the reviewer's ability to write concisely so that a comprehensive evaluation of the book
can be obtained from a brief reading. So, do not write more, write more concisely -- find
creative ways to communicate your critical evaluation of the book in a short essay.
CONTENT (12)
Summary of the conclusions presented in the book
Discussion of scholarly (or practical) merit of book
ORGANIZATION (4)
Introduction -- include both a purpose statement and a preview
Argumentative structure -- clear and coherent and conclusion
FORM (4) "Normal Academic Standards"
Assigned length and format
Absence of typographical and spelling errors
Standard grammatical rules followed
Quoted material & sources [MLA Style Manual)
Effective Word choice and phrasing
Good Luck