I didn't know the professor was a social justice warrior. Before taking this class I wasn't even aware this sub-field existed. If you had told me before the class what Activist Anthropologists were doing I would have said (And still will say) that they are ineffective at best, and complete quacks at worst. Of the people with degrees that I've spoken to, the Graeber book that I listed in my note is supposed to explain how Activist Anthropology is supposed to function, without any of this nonsense about using bias as a theoretical base. I looked over the Harvard site and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be seeing. I can't watch any of the films, and I can only vaguely understand that they are studying sensory formation cross-culturally, which I'm not certain I completely understand. I'm personally interested in the practical value that Anthropological perspective can provide to improve health outcomes.
I think this is kind of like saying "I'm only interested in scientific research that improves health outcomes." and sounds like you walked in with a pretty strong bias against their central tenants. It's a field of it's own right that isn't necessarily limited to the practical outcomes that you desire. Which is whatever, but you're getting pretty polemic and shitting all over the SJW thing, which is the hot thing to do right now, but social justice is a concept that's far older than Tumblr and has merits of it's own right that have become permutated into something that isn't easily digestible, and then is regurgitated assiduously to the point that it digresses from the original context. Although it seems you may be surrounded by that right now, so I could understand your exacerbation. As for the Harvard thing, well, if your intent is only as stated, that may not even be interesting to you, but they attempt to use images and film as a means of studying particular aspects of anthropology, hoping for an even more authentic experience that doesn't get caught in the bias of language and traditional data capturing. I gather from what I have seen of their work, that, for instance, if the sensation of isolation or religious ecstasy is something they are trying to show, doing so in a format that involves sensory input in a more natural realm (using visuals instead of the written word), may be a better way to achieve a fitting understanding.I'm personally interested in the practical value that Anthropological perspective can provide to improve health outcomes.
I didn't have a bias going in. I walked in with an open mind, expecting 400 level anthropological data and analysis. I believe that those in political minority should not remain so. I believe that all humans have there right to act entirely as they wish as long as it doesn't harm anyone else. I believe that women should be paid just as much as men for equal work. I hate on the WARRIORS. I hate on people trying to make me feel bad because of the color of my skin, or because I was lucky enough to be born somewhere that hasn't been a center of civil unrest for decades. Believe me, I think about that daily. If I were born practically anywhere, or anywhen else, I would not have lived past infancy. I know how lucky I am, and it makes me feel like shit. I don't need someone who is paid to do so reminding me of it. Yes, I am only actively interested in research that can improve health outcomes. I plan on working in hospitals for the majority of my life, so that is where I focus my efforts. I cannot, I repeat, CAN NOT, take the time to learn everything about everything, as much as I try to anyway. I have to select which sources of information I will ignore, or I will drown. So I'll give the book I was recommended a try, and if it cannot change my mind, I will wash my hands of this nonsense and never let it bother me again. I have taken something of practical, or at least intellectual value away from every ANP class I've ever been a part of. I got nothing from this, and not for lack of trying.
Regarding Harvard, I can appreciate the artistic merit of what they're doing. I think that multimedia environments are definitely better at conveying the real import of various ethnic/religious experiences than the written account. If I could actually watch the videos, I'm sure I would enjoy them.
Word. I apologize that my remarks insinuated anything to the contrary, but the ire has been high on the internet lately and it bothers me that others saying similar remarks usually takes a pretty harsh contrarian stance and rejects all the things you outlined, but that's on me and I didn't ask. Where I live is kinda the mecca for a lot of activist, liberal arts post-grads, and once I was even dis-invited to a potluck because the house had a strict "only two white cis-males under our roof at a time" policy. While I was cooking. I do not count people like that amongst my friends or allies. And since you're probably pre-med(?) and focused on your career, it makes a lot of since as to why this wasn't very relevant. Good luck with the rest of your finals, if you have any left! What field are you aiming towards? I know how lucky I am, and it makes me feel like shit. I don't need someone who is paid to do so reminding me of it.
Not pre-med. I was for a short time, but I got a chance to visit the cadaver lab at my school. No longer interested. I don't have the stomach for the hands on work. Instead my focus is on research systems and methodology, hopefully making the process as easy on patients as possible. I have one exam left on thursday, then it's time to get started on my winter break reading.