Written Activity #9: Reflexive Essay
Reflexivity is a key component in anthropological analysis and research. Reflexivity is the process and ability to think critically about how one’s own positionality and experiences impact how we view the world, and it forces us to constantly engage in a process of de-centering our own ethnocentrisms and cultural expectations. This involves constantly reevaluating new experiences and new information, and reminding ourselves that there are multiple ways to look at seemingly ubiquitous human phenomena and cultural practices.
You will write an appx 1000 word essay (more is fine) critically engaging your process and thinking on your MEAD Project.
1. What was your original goal, audience, and thinking?
2. How did you incorporate the course concepts, readings, and outside anthropological frameworks?
3. How did your topic evolve through the process and structure provided? What was YOUR contribution, and do you feel you could/should have done more/less?
4. What else would your intended audience (and professor) NEED TO KNOW to make sense of your final submitted project??
You will be graded INDIVIDUALLY on a 20 point scale. Note that this constitutes a significant chunk of your “Public Anthropology Project” category on Gradebook.
The standard Activities Rubric will be used to grade this exercise.
1. Anthropological Perspectives (4) Exhibits awareness and understanding of ethnocentrism, cultural relativity, contexts, holism, and power in all activities;
2. Course Concepts (4) Directly and appropriately utilizes course terminology in all writing and activities;
3. Examples (4) Describes and utilizes appropriate examples from course materials (readings, films, individual fieldwork, media sources);
4. Follows Instructions & Effort (4) Is this a compare/contrast discussion? Did you find outside sources if required? Were you supposed to upload an image? Follow the directions!! And put in some effort;
5. Writing, Style, Organization (4) Writing is always important. The writing can be indicative of your effort (see #4 above).
Previous assignments in this project:
1. Initial thoughts, March 1st
2. Proposal Ideas, March 8th
3. Written Activity#8, March 20th
4. Project proposal, April 11st
5. Project proof, April 15th
6. Project’s rough cut, April 22nd
7. Script, April 28th
