Arguing With Anthropology : An Introduction to Critical Theories of the Gift

Arguing with Anthropology is a fresh and wholly original guide to key elements in anthropology, which teaches the ability to think, write and argue critically. Using the classic 'question of the gift' as a master-issue for discussion, and drawing on a rich variety of Pacific and global ethnography, it provides a unique course in methods, aims, knowledge, and understanding. The book's highly original hypothetical approach takes gift-theory - the science of obligation and reciprocity - as the paradigm for a virtual enquiry which explores how the anthropological discipline has evolved historically, how it is applied in practice and how it can be argued with critically. By asking students to participate in projected situations and dilemmas, and in arguments about the form and nature of enquiry, it offers working practice of dealing with the obstacles and choices involved in anthropological study. * From an expert teacher whose methods are tried and tested * Comprehensive and fun course ideal for intermediate-level students * Clearly defines the functions of anthropology, and its key theories and arguments * Effectively teaches core study skills for exam success and progressive learning. Annotation Arguing with Anthropology is a fresh and wholly original guide to key elements in anthropology, which teaches the ability to think, write and argue critically. Using the classic 'question of the gift' as a master-issue for discussion, and drawing on a rich variety of Pacific and global ethnography, it provides a unique course in methods, aims, knowledge, and understanding. The book's highly original hypothetical approach takes gift-theory - the science of obligation and reciprocity - as the paradigm for a virtual enquiry which explores how the anthropological discipline has evolved historically, how it is applied in practice and how it can be argued with critically. By asking students to participate in projected situations and dilemmas, and in arguments about the form and nature of enquiry, it offers working practice of dealing with the obstacles and choices involved in anthropological study. * From an expert teacher whose methods are tried and tested * Comprehensive and fun course ideal for intermediate-level students * Clearly defines the functions of anthropology, and its key theories and arguments * Effectively teaches core study skills for exam success and progressive learning BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 6 ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 10 1 A SCEPTICAL INTRODUCTION TO THEORIES OF GIFT EXCHANGE......Page 12 Part I MODERNIST NOSTALGIA......Page 28 2 THE AWKWARD LEGACY OF THE NOBLE SAVAGE......Page 30 3 GATHERING THOUGHTS IN FIELDWORK......Page 49 4 KEEPING RELATIONSHIPS, MEETING OBLIGATIONS......Page 70 5 EXCHANGING PEOPLE, GIVING REASONS......Page 87 Part II POSTMODERN REFLECTIONS......Page 106 6 DEBT IN POSTCOLONIAL SOCIETY......Page 108 7 MISTAKING HOW AND WHEN TO GIVE......Page 123 Part II POSTMODERN REFLECTIONS......Page 142 8 ENVISIONING BOURGEOIS SUBJECTS......Page 144 9 GIVING BEYOND REASON......Page 162 Part III A PRESENT WITHOUT NOSTALGIA......Page 180 10 VIRTUALLY REAL EXCHANGE......Page 182 11 INTERESTS IN CULTURAL PROPERTY......Page 198 12 GIVING ANTHROPOLOGY A/WAY......Page 216 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS......Page 233 INDEX......Page 248 A Guide To Key Elements In Anthropology, This Work Teaches The Ability To Think, Write And Argue Critically. Its Hypothetical Approach Takes Gift-theory - The Science Of Obligation And Reciprocity - As The Theme Of A Virtual Enquiry, Which Explores How The Discipline Has Evolved, How It Is Applied In Practice And How It Can Be Argued. A Critical Introduction To Theories Of Gift Exchange -- The Awkward Legacy Of The Noble Savage -- Collecting Evidence On The Kula Exchange -- Keeping Obligations And Keeping Relations -- Exchanging People, Forming Alliances -- Debt In Postcolonial Context -- Mistaking How And When To Give -- Envisioning Bourgeois Subjects -- Giving Beyond Reason -- Interests In Cultural Property -- Virtually Real Exchange -- Giving Anthropology A-way. Karen Sykes. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Arguing with Anthropology is a fresh and wholly original guide to key elements in anthropology, which teaches the ability to think, write and argue critically. Using the famous 'question of the gift' as a master-issue for discussion, and drawing on a rich variety of methods, aims, knowledge and understanding. The books' unique hypothetical approach takes gift-theory - the science of obligation and reciprocity - as the theme of a virtual enquiry which explores how the discipline has evolved historically, how it is applied in practice and how it can be argued with critically. By asking readers to participate in projected situations and dilemmas, and in arguments about the form and nature of enquiry, this distinctive book offers working practice of dealing with the obstacles and choices involved in anthropological study Education, Politics & IR, Sociology & Social Policy BOOK COVER 1 TITLE 4 COPYRIGHT 5 CONTENTS 6 ILLUSTRATIONS 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 1 A SCEPTICAL INTRODUCTION TO THEORIES OF GIFT EXCHANGE 12 Part I MODERNIST NOSTALGIA 28 2 THE AWKWARD LEGACY OF THE NOBLE SAVAGE 30 3 GATHERING THOUGHTS IN FIELDWORK 49 4 KEEPING RELATIONSHIPS, MEETING OBLIGATIONS 70 5 EXCHANGING PEOPLE, GIVING REASONS 87 Part II POSTMODERN REFLECTIONS 106 6 DEBT IN POSTCOLONIAL SOCIETY 108 7 MISTAKING HOW AND WHEN TO GIVE 123 Part II POSTMODERN REFLECTIONS 142 8 ENVISIONING BOURGEOIS SUBJECTS 144 9 GIVING BEYOND REASON 162 Part III A PRESENT WITHOUT NOSTALGIA 180 10 VIRTUALLY REAL EXCHANGE 182 11 INTERESTS IN CULTURAL PROPERTY 198 12 GIVING ANTHROPOLOGY A/WAY 216 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS 233 INDEX 248