Topic:

The central topic for this discussion is ethics and the practice of anthropology. To complete this discussion you must read  Chapter 5 of the textbook and the assigned article by Burr: 

http://www.anthropologymatters.com/index.php/anth_matters/article/view/133/260 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

(Links to an external site.)Please post and share your ideas about issues raised in this article .

• A quick overview of anthropological fieldwork practices and how they have changed.
• An overview of the article.
• A more detailed explanation of Burr’s field situation and the main challenges she faced.
• Describe some of the major actions she took (or did not take), and their consequences.
• Regarding ethics and the practice of anthropology, do you agree with the decisions she made then? Do you agree with her concerns now? Why or why not?
• Also address current technology and how that might effect fieldwork today.
  • One of the assigned videos praises the use of “unobtrusive” cell phones and recorders, now in the hands of almost everyone, not just anthropologists or videographers. How do you think this will affect the fieldwork practices of contemporary and future anthropologists? With everyone possibly recording everyone else, and perhaps most of them doing it without anyone’s consent, should anthropologists no longer have to get informed consent, or will this put even more emphasis on ethical practices?
• Draw upon your own experience: What ethical challenges have you faced?  and are you satisfied with the results? A simple example: Have you ever recorded someone without their permission and posted your recording in a public format (e.g. Facebook)? Even if you meant no harm, and did not name that person, what if some person with an old grudge, someone this person thought had been safely left behind, recognizes the person from your photo? Would you refuse to take down a post if asked to?
• Where do you think the ethics lie in these personal situations? How might that relate to professional fieldwork situations?