Reading Theory through Ethnography

Instructors: Ayfer Bartu Candan

In this graduate seminar we will explore the dynamic relationship between social and cultural theory and the primary mode of knowledge production in anthropology-the ethnography. We will be reading ethnographies from different parts of the world that focus on different topics including gender, religion, cities, advertising, aging, environmentalism and globalization.

Through the close reading of ethnographic texts we will examine the theoretical approaches of these research projects, methodologies utilized, and writing practices that are employed in these ethnographies. More specific issues and questions we will be dealing with are as follows: The troubling relationship between method, data and theory; the nature of evidence in ethnographic research; issues of audience and translation; data and alternative theoretical interpretations; issues of voice and power in ethnographic representation; ethnographic research and ethics; theory and social policy.