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Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Rethinking Combined History Departments: An Argument For History And Anthropology, Ageeth Sluis, Elise Edwards
Rethinking Combined History Departments: An Argument For History And Anthropology, Ageeth Sluis, Elise Edwards
Ageeth Sluis
Many opportunities for more integrated teaching that better capture the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary scholars' work and better achieve the aims of liberal arts education still remain untapped, particularly at smaller schools where combined departments are often necessary. The disciplinary boundaries between history and sociocultural anthropology have become increasingly blurred in recent decades, a trend reflected in scholarly work that engages with both fields, as well as dual-degree graduate programmes at top U.S. research universities. For many scholars, this interdisciplinarity makes sense, with the two disciplines offering critical theoretical tools and methods that must be used in combination to tackle …
Whether It’S Coins, Fringe, Or Just Stuff That’S Sparkly': Aesthetics And Utility In A Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Troupe’S Costumes, Jeana Jorgensen
Whether It’S Coins, Fringe, Or Just Stuff That’S Sparkly': Aesthetics And Utility In A Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Troupe’S Costumes, Jeana Jorgensen
Jeana Jorgensen
As both a scholar and a belly dancer, I believe that belly dance is recognizable on aesthetic grounds. In addition to the movements that belly dancers typically perform—muscle isolations, undulations, graceful hand motions and turns, and lots of hip work—belly dancers wear costumes that are visually identifiable as belly dance costumes. While this description may seem tautological, there are recognizable standards both in the public sphere and among dancers for what constitutes the belly dance image—or images, as belly dance is a diverse phenomenon that encompasses teaching, learning, performing, watching, socializing, and costuming.
Beyond Nature Appropriation: Towards Post-Development Conservation In The Maya Forest, Jose Martinez-Reyes
Beyond Nature Appropriation: Towards Post-Development Conservation In The Maya Forest, Jose Martinez-Reyes
Jose E. Martinez-Reyes
The establishment of biosphere reserves in Mexico was followed by alternative livelihood conservation/development projects to integrate indigenous groups into Western style conservation under the idea of sustainable development and participation. In this paper, I discuss the outcomes of two forest wildlife management projects in one Maya community along the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve in the state of Quintana Roo. Both projects ultimately failed and the community mobilised and expelled the NGO from the community. I argue that the failure of these projects involved two dynamics: 1) lack of coherence between the objectives of state agencies, conservation NGOs, and the local …
Introduction: Between Capitalism, The State, And The Grassroots: Mexico's Contribution To A Global Conservation Debate, Nora Haenn, Elizabeth Olson, Jose Martinez-Reyes, Leticia Durand
Introduction: Between Capitalism, The State, And The Grassroots: Mexico's Contribution To A Global Conservation Debate, Nora Haenn, Elizabeth Olson, Jose Martinez-Reyes, Leticia Durand
Jose E. Martinez-Reyes
his introduction situates Mexico in the research on conservation and society, illustrating some nuances and characteristics of the Mexican model of biodiversity conservation in relation to neoliberal economic development and state formation. The paper critiques the way neoliberalism has become a common framework to understand conservation's social practices. Drawing on the ethnographies collected in this special section, the paper considers the importance of state formation and disorganised neoliberalism as intertwined phenomena that explain conservation outcomes. This approach lends itself to the papers' ethnographic descriptions that demonstrate a particular Mexican form of conservation that sits alongside a globalised biodiversity conservation apparatus. …
The ‘Good Girls’ Of Sri Lankan Modernity: Moral Orders Of Nationalism And Capitalism, Caitrin Lynch
The ‘Good Girls’ Of Sri Lankan Modernity: Moral Orders Of Nationalism And Capitalism, Caitrin Lynch
Caitrin Lynch
In the Sri Lankan garment industry the term “good girls” refers to moral character and industrial productivity: a good girl both embodies Sinhala Buddhist traditions and is an efficient and productive factory worker. The “good girl” concept symbolizes a conjuncture of nationalist and capitalist gender ideals during this time of ethnic conflict and industrial development in the country. Although the women workers agree with many of the gendered characterizations implied by the term “good girls,” they do not uncritically follow nationalist and capitalist moral scripts. Rather, they mobilize the good girl identity for advantages inside and outside the factory. This …
Bringing Solar Power To Sri Lanka, Caitrin Lynch
Bringing Solar Power To Sri Lanka, Caitrin Lynch
Caitrin Lynch
Areas hit by the tsunami in South and Southeast Asia need solar power for a broad range of applications, including water pumping and purification, lighting and vaccine refrigeration in medical clinics, and lighting in the thousands of homes that need to be rebuilt. Given my personal conviction that anthropologists have an ethical obligation to work on the behalf of the communities where they do research, I'm helping to bring solar power to Sri Lankan communities affected by the tsunami.