Becoming an Anthropologist

3 Goals of Anthropological fieldwork O *Goal 1: understand interconnectedness O *Goal 2: expand empathy for people radically different from you O *Goal 3: dismantle worldviews O This will require us to learn about OURSELVES first

3 Journeys O What type of worldview do you have? O Egocentric - - > Ethnocentric - - > Worldcentric self society all of us

Notecard of the Day O Honest self-reflection of where you are in the chart

3 Journeys O What type of learner are you? O Receptive - -> Subjective - -> Procedural - -> Committed O Ethnocentrism - -> Cultural Relativism

Fieldworkers Toolkit

Natural Bias

India and the Cow O 250 million people in India live in poverty, hunger O 200 million cows in India O Why dont they eat the cows??? O Approach 1: They are crazy, stupid, less evolved O 19 th c. European view O Approach 2: Use the model to gain the native POV

How do Indians feel about cows? Love their cows, worship them, adorn them for festivals. Killing a cow worse than killing a human. How do these beliefs exist within a social and political context? *Muslims began entering region in 8th Century *Pluralistic Society: Muslims and other non- Hindus (19% of population) eat beef *Caste system: Lowest castes "untouchables" eat beef *Since the arrival of Muslims 1200 years ago, higher caste Hindus distinguish themselves from Muslims and Untouchables by not killing and eating cows How might these beliefs be beneficial to the cultures survival? Dung (fertilizer, cooking fuel, building material), milk, plant based diet more sustainable

Fieldwork O How do anthropologists learn about cultures? O Participant observation O We learn by doing!