Denise Camacho
SSN 182.6858
CH.1 Anthropological Fieldwork on Cities
Thesis Statement:
Anthropological fieldwork in cities briefly explained the phases anthropologists went
through to get to know and learn about the different communities they worked in.
Summary:
From what I understand from this chapter was that urban anthropologists go through a
series of steps when trying to obtain information. Not only would they have to visit the field site,
but stay and try to build relationships with villagers or peasants. As years have passed
technology also became more advanced and made it easier for field workers to record
information.
Some of the negative aspects are being financially stable in order to stay at a field site for
a longer period of time. Also, building a relationship with a villager or peasant because then the
field worker or anthropologists would be isolated from the group and be thought of as something
that they’re not.
On page 17 in the text book it talks about anthropologists owing a debt to the people they
study simply because without them anthropologist wouldn’t have a job. The only way the people
who are being studied or subjects that are being studied feel repaid is if anthropologist are more
attentive to the needs of the community and help them to deal with the urban system. This page
also explains if insiders or outsiders perform the best fieldwork. Insiders called Anglo
anthropologists understand the lifestyles of minorities which is any group except the white
middle class. Insiders can understand the lifestyles, but can’t tell from an outside point of view.
Personal Reflection:
My personal reflection is that urban anthropologists go through a difficult series of steps
when trying to obtain information. I personally think that building a relationship with the
informants is the best way to understand the group being studied because there isn’t that much
information from just observation. Building a relationship with someone also makes you
understand their actions, the reasons they do it and their beliefs.
CH.2 Networks, Neighborhoods, and Markets
Fieldwork in Tokyo
Thesis Statement:
This chapter was about Theodore and how he successfully gained a tremendous amount
of information from all of his contacts.
Summary:
Theodore and his wife were studying in Tokyo neighborhoods. He gained access slowly
by acquintences through his neighbors, attended local functions and helped out with manual
labor regularly without being asked. He then found himself at a busy market in Miyamoto cho
and met Mr. Shimizu who introduced him to major officials of a major federation. He had
interviews set up and had access to documents to further his study.
Theodore gained so many contacts over time and it was all based from the introduction of
outsiders. On page 27, Theodore mentioned “Finding and following networks is not an end in
itself. Other techniques of “inquisitive observation” provide clues both about which networks
and affiliations are significant in a field sit, as well as about relevant questions to ask and issues
to investigate” which is something I thought was a smart move because he clearly succeeded. He
also picked up on social life just by walking on a side street, shop windows or glancing at
doorways.
Personal Reflection:
Theodore used a phrase called “parachuting” which I think is important and something I
could relate to when getting to know people and involving yourself. It was amazing how he just
kept meeting all of these people that played a major part in his study. He literally jumped from
one contact to the next. Cueing is something I find myself doing all the time; Talking to people
and being interested in what they talk about and asking questions.
CH.6 Student Fieldworks in Village and City.
Thesis Statement:
Students go through positive and negative experiences when trying to obtain informants,
getting over the fear of starting their fieldwork and getting used to their home stay.
Summary:
In this chapter the student fieldwork settings are in Tasmania which is in Australia and
Barbados. People in Barbados were getting jobs in the city and weren’t around during the day.
Students were left with no one to study and it was decided that students were going to be moved.
Students were used to the warmth and friendliness of the people in their village of Barbados
rather than the people in the suburban town or city in Hobart Australia. Students could
immediately tell the difference between the two areas where they lived. In Hobart rumors spread
about students doing inappropriate things with the people they were living with. The students
were afraid that their reputation and field work would be ruined. Students found it difficult to
find informants.
Students in Barbados relied on older people as their best informants where in Hobart
younger people were the students best informants. Pages 91-92 explains how the students avoid
going outside to start their fieldwork and how their not used to having so much free time. Their
also not sure where to start with their filedwork and who they should talk to students barely had
any privacy and also had to get used to a slower pace of life.
Personal Reflection:
Students seemed so disconnected while working on their fieldwork in Hobart. I can relate
to it in a different in a different kind of way, when I had to move to a different location for my
job which wasn’t in a desirable area. I was looked at different by the people in that area. Also, in
Hobart had set internships with organizations rather than the students in Barbados. The
students with the internship had planned interviews, it just seems very automatic and repetitive.
Students in Barbados just spoke with people and got to them on personal levels, but reading that
it was difficult for students in Hobart I guess that’s the way it had to be to gather info for their
field work.
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