Greetings!

Anthropology is a way of seeing, a lens by which to dissect the world around us.
Though an imperfect lens, it gives while it takes away. It grants partial insight
while adding complexity. The following recordings detail our class’ experiences with
this lens. The speakers examine both what they see and the way they see it. These are stories about the alienation that anthropology can bring—the sense of being an outsider
viewing our world. Also, these stories critique the norms of our everyday lives.
Finally, they examine some of the issues to which contemporary anthropology
attends: such as the intersections of identities, the nature of the gaze, and the role
we, as anthropologists, play in society. These stories, written by members of our
Anthropology Capstone, come from a range of perspectives and we hope they
give you a small slice of the diversity that is anthropology at Guilford College.  Please
enjoy!

Simplicity and the Macbook Air.

While studying in the library one afternoon, Charles looked up from his work and noticed a Macbook Air with sticker that read “live more simply”.  In this discussion Charles attempts to unpack this apparent contradiction using ideas articulated in a previous SOAN class. 

Hugh reflects on his position as a tourist

Describing his recent visit to a massacre site in Guatemala, Hugh discusses shifting focus from the site itself to the manner he and other tourists interacted with it. 

Chris and the THUNDERDOME

 

Chris discusses his days as a teenage football player on a youth league.  Since gaining knowledge through his SOAN degree, Chris has been able to apply more complex and deep analysis of the situations he was faced with while playing for the team.

Sam and the power of relativity

Sam articulates his understanding of cultural relativity and how the concept has become a crucial component of his world view. 

Carly recounts an interesting occurrence at an Italian festival

After perceiving racism in a bizarre Italian festival, Carly Fishkin talks about how being raised in America makes us much more aware of race than other places in the world. 

Jason speaks of the experience of baptism at a Baptist church

After years of attending a Baptist church, the speaker begins to understand things and interpret them very differently through the use of the anthropological gaze.  Viewing events more critically, he uncovers the exotic in his everyday life.