What is Anthropology?

It’s a question I’ve been asked to ponder in a strangely wide variety of situations lately. Teaching high school Seniors, Juniors, two Sophomores, and 8th graders mathematics this year found myself explaining a lot of new topics I never intended to, but my chosen field of study anthropology is chief among them.

Then on Spring Break, I was asked by a Depth Psychologist to explain exactly what anthropology was, on an 8th grade level.  I thought great! I’ve got some experience actually doing this.  I told her, “Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human in all its variety over all time and space, all around the world and throughout history and pre-history. Anthropologists are fascinated by all things human. We, of course, have different specialties, cultural anthropologists study people alive here and now, by observing them, talking to them, and participating in the cultural traditions we seek to understand as much as possible.”  My colleague’s elegant answer was the famous but hard to attribute quote, “Anthropology is the most scientific of the humanities, and the most humanistic of the sciences.” Then I looked at her and told her, “Honestly, maybe it has something to do with where I grew up, but I always saw Anthropology, especially anthropology as a teaching tool, as a tool for breaking down fear and prejudice born from the unknown. Anthropology allows us to understand each other’s cultures a little better, see through one another’s worldview if we take the time, and perhaps bring a little more compassion and understanding into the world. But I guess that’s a little sappy.”

Anthropology’s ultimate goal: to understand the human condition.

Teaching anthropology is the best step I can personally take to do my part for world peace. Changing one mind at a time.

Call for Managing Editor for the Anthropology of Consciousness Jounral

CALL FOR MANAGING EDITOR

Anthropology of Consciousness

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: December 15, 2014

 

The Executive Board of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness is now inviting applications for Managing Editor of its peer-reviewed journal, Anthropology of Consciousness. Interested applicants should submit a CV, a written statement specifically addressing the qualification criteria listed below and her/his vision for how the journal might evolve. Please send all materials to Beth Savage, SAC Secretary/Treasurer at savagebetha@gmail.com Final selection will follow an interview, preferably before or at the 2015 SAC Spring Meeting in Oregon.  The three-year term begins August 1, 2015.

 Qualifications for Anthropology of Consciousness Managing Editor:

  • Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of SAC’s areas of research and scholarship.
  • Experience and knowledge in publishing, editing, and journal administration.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Higher degree in anthropology or closely related field.
  • Proven record of refereed publications.
  • Ability to adapt to changing publishing platforms.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and experience supervising staff.

Anthropology of Consciousness is grounded in anthropology, and produces a comprehensive body of literature in both new and established topical areas. A distinct and highly valued feature of the journal is its interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary appeal to academic authors, contributors, and readers from anthropology as well as from psychology, sociology, alternative and complementary medicine, and phenomenology.  An overarching goal of SAC is to increase the impact and exposure of the journal across anthropology and the other human sciences.

Working arrangements:  Must be available for a three-year term of appointment. Must meet strict deadlines to produce two issues of the journal annually. Works closely with Associate Editors/peer-reviewers and an Assistant Editor. Training provided, preferably before term begins to overlap with current Managing Editors. Volunteer position, reimbursement for journal-related costs.  100% working remotely.  Attendance at AAA annual fall meeting expected, with some travel and lodging reimbursement. Must have a computer updated to current standards and software. Organizational or financial support from editor’s institution or organization helpful.

http://anthropologyofconsciousness.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/call-for-managing-editor/

Mobile Health in Context

Mobile Health in Context: How Information is Woven Into Our Lives  

@SusannahFox @PewResearch

Susannah Fox from Pew Review Research put together an excellent presentation of the latest health and digital technology related statistics.  The slides are concise, accessible, and thought provoking.  Can we put cell phones to use improve health and health information seeking strategies?   

I came across this presentation of data at exactly the right time thanks to Carol Torgan.  The information will be incredibly insightful to my future dissertation research and will go along way in demonstrating the significance of my proposed research.

DANG Panel Accepted

The BRIDGING DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL PUBLICS: DIGITAL Anthropologists’ CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS WITH 21st CENTURY PUBLICS panel has been accepted!!  It is being reviewed by the Society of Visual Anthropology. The panel with include the following papers:

Anastasiya Travina (Texas State University-San Marcos)                    500,000 Tweets and Posts During The First Two Hours Of The London Olympics: Does IT Mean The Olympics Is A Universally Lauded Event?

Meghan M Ferriter (Smithsonian Institution Archives)                           “It Boils Down to Respect”: Defining the Values of a Fandom Through Conflict Online

Sarah Elaine Dillard Mitchell (Indiana University, Department of Anthropology)                                                                                       TIFF’s Immediate and Mediated Public: Social Media, Public Relations, and the Economies of Talk At the Toronto International Film Festival

Michael P. Oman-Reagan (Hunter College of the City University of New York)                           Occupying Cyberspace: Indonesian Cyberactivism and Occupy Wall Street

Laura C Jarvis (Southern Methodist University)                           Facebook Or Face-to-Face: Studying Youth In and Out of the Field

Sarah S Ono (Department of Veteran Affairs)                                         By the Time We Get to the Station Will the Train Already Have Left?: Keeping Up With New Media in the Public Sector

Alissa Beth Kaplan Soto (Hunter College)                                    Women’s Autonomy Through Self-Insemination and Cyberspace

Congratulations and Thank You to all the panel participants and DANG!

Check Us Out on the 112th Annual AAA Conference!

 

About Me

My name is Sydney Yeager. I am cultural anthropologist and an ABD PhD candidate at SMU (Southern Methodist University) PhD program.  My primary research interested are focused in digital anthropology and medical anthropology.  In particular, I plan to conduct my PhD dissertation research on emerging grieving practices in digital spaces, with particular focus on Facebook, and their impact on participants’ lives and social well-being.  Additionally, my medical interests are in the areas of neuroanthropology, consciousness, biocultural medical anthropology, and social well-being.  I am interested in the anthropological study of friendship, community, and religion as well.  More broadly speaking, my research interests include folk healing, spirituality, identity, consciousness, communitias, the processes of acculturation, education, community, cultural change, and the impact of our increasingly digitalized social lives.

I am  on the Executive Board of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness.  I serve as SAC’s first Media & Social Media Chair beginning in November.  Check out SAC’s blog here and our website here.  SAC has a nice Twitter and Facebook following as well.

I have also recently taken over the responsibility of convener for the AAA’s new Digital Anthropology Interest Group, fondly known as DANG.  I occasionally write for their blog and DANG’s G+, Facebook accounts.

Contact Me:

slyeager@smu.edu

@slyphi

G +

Facebook

 

Call for Papers: Digital Anthropologists’ Current Engagements with 21st Century Publics

Check out the Digital Anthropology Call for Papers: Call for Papers: Digital Anthropologists’ Current Engagements with 21st Century Publics.

 

 

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