CHAPTER 11: PUBLIC ANTHROPOLOGY
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Explain how the structure of academic careers, topical specialization, and writing styles contribute to difficulty with communicating findings from academic anthropology to a wider public.
- Identify examples of anthropological research that has contributed to the public good.
- Define public anthropology and distinguish it from academic anthropology and applied anthropology.
- Assess the factors that contribute to a desire for public engagement in anthropology as well as the obstacles to this engagement.
- Evaluate the ways in which accountability, transparency, collaboration, and the goal of benefiting others could contribute to reframing anthropology.
- Discuss actions that can be taken by anthropologists to facilitate social change.
As an example of public anthropology (following the model of the Kahn Academy), Dr. Borofsky has created short 10–15 minute videos on key topics in anthropology for introductory students. All 28 videos are available from the Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology website.
