Anthro 89:01 Contemporary Theory in Anthropology (Nakamura FA02)

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Position Papers

In this course we are tackling three issues that form the basis of contemporary anthropological theory:

• The balance of structure and agency
• Questions of globalization and postcolonialization
• Issues of representation and ethnographic methods

For each topic, I expect you to write a position paper of 8-10 pages (double-spaced with citations and reference list). No outside research is required. Each is worth 15% of your final grade, cumulatively 45%. The goals of the position papers are to:

• Analyze the positions taken by contemporary anthropologists (for my definition of what an analysis is, see this page)
• Contextualize the applications within the larger body of social theory
• Critique the positions taken (again see the Feminist Anthro page for my definition of critique)
• Finally conclude with your own stance on the issue and how your would apply this question to your own work within anthropology
• Show me how smart and insightful you are

Your paper will be graded on how well you meet the criteria above. There are various nitpicks that you should avoid:

Top Seven Writing Ticks that Really Annoy Me

• Spelling or grammar mistakes in the title or first paragraph (automatic 'C')
• Nounified verbs, verbified nouns, adjectified gerundified adverbs
• Not citing sources properly (Lastname Year: Page#) -- i.e., "blah di blah" (Gramsci 1971: 32)
• Essays without a point
• Bad argumentation
• Contractions in formal papers (don't, can't, won't)
• Informal writing style in academic papers

That's about it. Basically you should be interested in your own paper. If you don't think your paper is brilliant and that you're brilliant and that since you came up with all these great and fantastic ideas so that I must, must MUST obviously give you an 'A' and a Gold Star or three Gold Stars or something ... then I'll most probably be bored to death reading it and won't give you an 'A' or three Gold Stars or even one Gold Star. So come up with a unique perspective, lay out good argument, present it well, and show me how smart you really are. Cheers!

p.s. So I've been watching y'all trash... I mean TRASH the journal authors on their clarity ratings. So I'll be watching to make sure that you do a better job than they do (although, I agree that that's not too hard...).

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