ANTHROPOLOGICAL THOUGHT AND PRAXIS II
Department of Anthropology - UNT
Anthropology 5015
Spring 2007
Tuesday 6:00-8:50 pm.
Dr. Alicia Re Cruz
Office: Chilton Hall 330 B
Office Hours: TR 11:00-12:30 pm.
e-mail: ARECRUZ@pacs.unt.edu
“The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance,
and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence
if they lack understanding.”
“There always comes a time in history when the person who dares to say that 2+2=4 is
punished by death. And the issue is not what reward or what punishment will be the outcome
of that reasoning. The issue is simply whether or not 2+2=4. “
Albert Camus (The Plague, 1947)
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the way the field of Applied Anthropology has emerged from the
development of traditional anthropological thought. It examines the theoretical frameworks of the
discipline, particularly in the way they have inspired anthropologists to apply concepts, issues, and theories
to identify social needs and propose solutions. Students analyze the way the practice of anthropology has
instigated changes in anthropological thought. Through past and current cases of applied anthropology
students scrutinize the theoretical paths of the applied anthropological work. Throughout the term students
are encouraged to design theoretical models based on their particular research agendas.
Format
The course is structured in three parts:
A. Review and discussion of the history and development of applied anthropology within the framework of
traditional anthropological thought.
B. Analysis and discussion of classic cases of applied work in anthropology, particularly focused on the
theoretical implications of the particular case
C. Current examples of applied anthropological work and the analysis of their theoretical contributions.
Students’presentations.
Course Requirements and Policies
A. Seminar Participation (10%)
This is a seminar-based class and active participation from each of you is required. You are expected to
attend regularly and discussed the scheduled reading material.
B. Class Presentation (20%)
Every seminar meeting will be assigned to one student as the leader of the topic presentation and
discussion. The student is responsible to address the major points and lessons implied in the readings; in
addition, the student is responsible to lead a critical analysis of the readings in order to generate a general
discussion.
C. Weekly Assignments (20%)
You are expected to write a one-page critical commentary of the readings in which you address their
contributions and the particular lessons to be applied to your particular research agenda.
D. Research Paper (50%)
Students have to design a research agenda in applied anthropology and apply the theoretical models
discussed in class, or a framework elaborated by the student. I recommend students to volunteer in a social
service setting; in that way students can practice the concepts and ideas discussed in class. Students have to
write up field notes on their work. At the end of the course students will make formal oral presentations of
their anthropological work in action. The presentation should be approximately 15-20 minutes.
Changes in the information given above will be notified in class.
Required Texts:
Ervin, Alexander (2005) Applied Anthropology: Tools and Perspectives for Contemporary Practice.
Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Second Edition.
Escobar, Arturo (1994) Encountering Development. Princeton University Press.
McDonald, James H. (2002) The Applied Anthropology Reader. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Following is a sample list of books and articles that will complement our discussions in class:
Baba, Marietta (1994) The Fifth Subdiscipline: Anthropological Practice and the Future of
Anthropology. Human Organization 53(2) 174-186.
Baba, M. and Hill C. (2006) What’s in the Name ‘Applied Anthropology’? An Encounter with
Global Practice. NAPA Bulletin 25:176-207.
Doughty, Paul L. (2002) Ending Serfdom in Peru. The Struggle for Land and Freedom in Vicos.
In Contemporary Cultures and Societies of Latin America Heath, D. (ed.) Waveland Press, Third
Edition.
Eddy, Elizabeth and William Partridge (1986) The Development of Applied Anthropology in
America. Applied Anthropology in America. Second Edition. New York:Columbia University
Press.
Fiske, Sh. and Chambers, E. (1996) The Inventions of Practice. Human Organization 55(1) 1-12.
Garcia, Maria Elena (2000) Ethnographic Responsibility and the Anthropological Endeavor:
Beyond Identity Discourse. Anthropological Quarterly 73(2):89-101.
Gardner Katy and D. Lewis (eds.) (1996)Anthropology, Development and the Post-modern
Challenge. Pluto Press.
Goldschmidt, Walter (2001)Notes Toward a Theory of Applied Anthropology Human
Organization 60(4) 423-429.
Gordon, John L. (1998) The Resurgence of Applied Anthropology in a Post-Exotic World: An
Australian Perspective. Human Organization 57(2) 127-133.
Goodenough, Ward H. (2002) Anthropology in the 20th Century and Beyond. American
Anthropologist 104(2) 423-440.
Hastrup, Kristen and P. Elsass (1990) Anthropological Advocay. Current Anthropology 31(3):
301-311.
Horowitz, Irwing L. (1976) The Life and Death of Project Camelot. Reproduced in Ethnographic
Fieldwork. An Anthropological Reader. Robben, Antonious and J. Sluja (eds.) (2007) Blackwell
Publishing.
Johannsen, Agneta M. (1992) Applied Anthropology and Post-Modernist Ethnography. Human
Organization 51(1) pp.71-81.
Manderson L. and R. Wilson (1998) Negotiating with Communities: The Politics and Ethics of
Research. Human Organization 57(2) 215-16.
Nader, Laura (2002) Missing Links: A Commentary on Ward H. Goodenough’s Moving Article
“Anthropology in the 20th Century and Beyond.” American Anthropologist 104(2)441-449.
Nash, June (1976) Ethnology in a Revolutionary Setting. Reproduced in Ethnographic Fieldwork.
An Anthropological Reader. Robben, A. and J. Sluka (eds.) (2007) Blackwell Publishing.
Okongwu, Anne Francis and Joan Mencher (200) The Anthropology of Public Policy: Shifting
Terrains Annual Review of Anthropology 29:107-124.
Price, David (1998) Gregory Bateson and the OSS: World War II and Bateson’s Assessment of
Applied Anthropology. Human Organization 57(4) 379-384.
Sheper-Hughes, Nancy (2006) The Primacy of the Ethical: Propositions for a Militant
Anthropology. In Anthropology in Theory. Issues in Epistemology. Moore, H. and T. Sanders
(eds.) Blackwell Publishing
Sillitoe, Paul (2006) The Search for Relevance: A Brief History of Applied Anthropology. History
and Anthropology 17(1) 1-19.
Singer, Merrill (1994) Community-Centered Praxis: Toward an Alternative non-dominative
Applied Anthropology. Human Organization 53(4) 336-344.
VanWilligen, John (1993) Applied Anthropology, An Introduction. Begin & Garvey.
Weekly Schedule
Week 1. January 16
Week 2. January 23
Week 3. January 30
Introduction to the course.
Part I. Introduction and Overview of major Anthropological Theories.
Emergence and Development of Applied Anthropology.
Overview of Origins and Genesis of Applied Anthropology in America I
Readings: Eddy and Patridge, The Development of Applied Anth. in America
Ervin, chap. 2
Goodenough, Anthropology in the 20th Century and Beyond
Overview of Origins and Genesis of Applied Anthropology in America II
Readings: Baba, The Fifth Subdiscipline: Anthropological Practice and the
Future of Anthropology.
Nader, Missing Links: A Commentary on Goodenough’s article.
Goldschmidt, Notes Toward a Theory of Applied Anthropology.
Price, Gregory Bateson and the OSS.
Week 4. February 6
Week 5. February 13
Post-Modernism and Applied Anthropology.
Readings: Gordon, The Resurgence of Applied Anthropology in a Post-Exotic
World.
Johannsen, Applied Anthropology and Post-Modernist Ethnography.
Singer, Community-Centered Praxis
Van Willigen, (part II)
Part II. Applied Anthropology and Solutions to Social Problems.
Applied Anthropology and Ethics I.
Readings: Ervin, chapt. 3.
Manderson, Negotizting with Communties.
Escobar (Part I)
Van Willigen, chapt. 3;
Week 6. February 20
Applied Anthropology and Ethics II. Study Cases.
Readings:
Doughty, About the Vicos Project.
Horowitz, The Life and Death of Project Camelot.
Sheper-Hughes, The Primacy of the Ethical: Propositions for a Militant
Anthropology.
Assign readings from Applied Anthropology Reader.
Week 7. February 27
Applied Anthropology and Policy.
Readings:
Ervin, (part II)
Escobar, (part II)
Okongwu and Mencher, The Anthropology of Public Policy.
Assign readings from Applied Anthropology Reader.
Week 8. March 6
Study Cases in Anthropology and Policy
Readings:
General Discussion. Escobar’s book.
Readings to be assigned from Applied Anthropology Reader.
Week 9. March 13
Applied Anthropology and Advocacy.
Readings:
Hastrup and Elsass, Anthropological Advocacy.
Nash, Ethnology in a Revolutionary Setting.
Week 10. March 20
Spring Break. Enjoy it!
Part III. Theoretical Lessons from the Application of Anthropological
Knowledge
Week 11. March 27
Society for Applied Anthropology
Week 12. April 3
Methods and Theory in Applied Anthropology.
Readings:
Ervin, part III.
Fiske and Chambers, The Invention of Practice
Week 13. April 10
Review and General Discussion
Readings:
Baba and Hill, What’s in the Name ‘Applied Anthropology’?
Extra readings to be assigned.
Week 14. April 17
Students’ Presentations
Week 15. April 24
Students’ Presentations
It is the policy of the University of North Texas not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
age, national origin, disability (where reasonable accommodations can be made) disabled veteran status or
veteran of the Vietnam era status in its educational programs, activities, admissions or employment
policies. In addition to complying with federal and state equal opportunity laws and regulations, the
university through its diversity policy declares harassment based on individual differences (including
sexual orientation) inconsistent with its mission and education goals. Direct questions and concerns to the
Equal Opportunity Office, (940) 565-2456, or the Dean of Students, (940) 565-2648. TDD access is
available through Relay Teas (800) 735-22989.
Anthropology does not discriminate on the basis of an individual=s disability as required by the Americans
with Disabilities Act. The program provides academic adjustments and aids to individuals with disabilities
in its programs and activities. If you have a disability, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of
Disability Accommodations (UU 318A) or by telephone @ (940) 565-4323. It is the responsibility of the
student to make the necessary arrangements with its instructors.
PLAGIARISM POLICY
The department of anthropology does not tolerate plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty.
Students suspected of academic dishonesty will be given a hearing in which they are informed of the
charges. Clear evidence in support of the charge will merit automatic failure in the course. For more
information on the university’s policies regarding academic integrity and dishonesty, see the Center for
Student Rights and Responsibilities at http://www.unt.edu/csrr/. Plagiarism is defined as misrepresenting
the work of others (whether published or not) as your own. It may be inadvertent or intentional. You should
always provide references for any facts, statistics, quotations, or paraphrasing of information that are not
common knowledge. For more information on writing papers, including how to avoid plagiarism and how
to use citations, see the department of anthropology’s Writing Guide at
http://www.unt.edu/anthropology/writing.htm.