Learn Anthropology with Ella: Recent Episodes

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Introduction for this episode:

After studying cultural anthropology at Duke University for 4 years starting in 2015, Zora decided to transfer to the University of Pennsylvania and pursue a Ph.D. program there. She started her advanced studies in linguistic and environmental anthropology. Her research interests are environmental conservation and green finance in Tibetan areas, and she has always had a unique perspective and passion for minority groups.

In this interview, Zora talks about what linguistic anthropology is and her reasons for switching from cultural anthropology to linguistic anthropology. With her long experience in Tibetan fieldwork and her study of the Tibetan language, she shares the pains and joys of it. Zora believes that the field research has shaped who she is now and that the anthropological approach has become her way of life and thinking. In the end, she gave the audience a list of recommended books and a message.

Timeline：

0:3:36 The fieldwork is a long-term process

0:5:18 Why linguistic anthropology?

0:7:42 It's not really just "language"

0:12:15 The difference between culture and language

0:22:00 The frustration of learning Tibetan

0:30:19 I was shaped by fieldwork

0:33:10 Anthropology has no boundaries

0:34:09 Russia

0:36:30 List of recommended books

0:40:36 Perhaps "careful" consideration

Recommended Reading:

• The Nuer- E. E. Evans-Pritchard
• Scripting Addiction - E. Summerson Carr
• Liquidated: An Ethnography of Wall Street - Karen Ho

Contact information:

If you have any suggestions for this podcast, want to communicate with me further, or simply make a friend, please feel free to contact me! My WeChat: 15012646569 or Email: ella20041007@gmail.com

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Introduction for this episode:

Dr. Markin is a Professor of Anthropology & Archaeology at Washington College. With a background in environmental anthropology, she focuses on archaeological excavations in the Mid-Atlantic area; her research center on American Indian groups, such as their settlement and political/economic development.

In this episode, Dr. Markin shares her transition from a research archaeologist to a college professor, describing her fieldwork in Moundville, Alabama, and the difficulties and rewards involved. She emphasizes the theme of "interconnection" and hopes that as an archaeological anthropologist, she can better represent the American Indian population and tell the story of the time.

Timeline

0:2:40 Environmental Anthropology and Archaeology

0:3:47 changing in college

0:6:36 Preparation to become a college professor

0:10:13 Anthropology is complementary to Archaeology

0:17:16 Fieldwork/excavation at Moundville

0:24:08 Difficulties - having a "quality" team/landowner's consent

0:27:58 A man with a shotgun

0:30:15 Harvest - Humans are interconnected

0:29:37 We are not so different

0:42:47 Have something to say

Recommended thing:

• Course: https://anth101.com/

Contact information:

If you have any suggestions for this podcast, want to communicate with me further, or simply make a friend, please feel free to contact me! My WeChat: 15012646569 or Email: ella20041007@gmail.com

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Introduction for this episode:

Beginning in bioanthropology and human osteology, Jules later shifted into the subdiscipline of cultural anthropology: museum anthropology. As a current Ph.D. student at William & Mary, Jules uses museums as a landscape to examine sociocultural theory and interactions while she also studies collections management.

In this episode, Jules describes how she got started in the field of museum anthropology. She talks about her experiences as a museum curator and her work in park services, including working with collections. She talks about her master's program which attempts to measure the collective community identity and historical consciousness as a member of this community. And how it proceeded under the pandemic Finally, she discusses the next step in her journey after her Ph.D.

Timeline:

0:5:11 Choosing Museum Anthropology

0:6:28 What do curators do

0:10:33 Master's program in fieldwork @ World History Museum

0:13:41 Pros and cons under the Covid

0:17:28 Collections in museums

0:20:32 Reasons for keep studying

0:21:16 The next step after a Ph.D.?

0:24:57 There's a lot to read

0:28:36 Always ask more questions

Recommended thing:

• Podcast - AnthroBiology
• Podcast - Ologies with Alie Ward

Contact information:

If you have any suggestions for this podcast, want to communicate with me further, or simply make a friend, please feel free to contact me! My WeChat: 15012646569 or Email: ella20041007@gmail.com

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Introduction for this episode:

With a strong interest in public/global health and medicine, Dr. Bulled received her Master's degree in Public Health from Boston University. By coincidence, she was influenced by a medical anthropology mentor who looked like "Santa Claus" and decided to explore the path of anthropology as well, earning her Ph.D. in medical anthropology.

In this episode, Dr. Bulled explains what medical anthropology is and how to use anthropological perspectives to solve practical health issues. She talks about her field experience in South Africa investigating local issues such as HIV and water shortage, during which she continued to think about her role and how to better help the local community. Furthermore, she shared the difficulties and stereotypes she encountered as an anthropologist.

Timeline

0:1:15 From "public health" to "anthropology"

0:5:12 Qualitative vs. Quantitative

0:8:53 How to build trust - the role of women

0:12:37 Medical anthropology

0:15:17 Functionalism vs. Structuralism

0:16:58 Anthropology exists in many different forms

0:18:13 Behavior change interventions of HIV (AIDS) in Lesotho, South Africa

• What are the right strategies to help this community?

0:22:41 Difficulties & harvest

• being seen as a troublemaker
• High expectations for anthropologists
• Better communicating

0:29:37 overwhelmed reading in anthropology

0:37:15 refugee integration among refugees in Greece

• How people integrate into a new culture/society

0:42:53 Recommended books

0:47:06 Start by choosing a book/ethnography

Recommended books:

• Mountains Beyond Mountains - Tracy Kidder
• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - Anne Fadiman
• Life Exposed: Biological Citizens after Chernobyl - Adriana Petryna

Contact information:

If you have any suggestions for this podcast, want to communicate with me further, or simply make a friend, please feel free to contact me! My WeChat: 15012646569 or Email: ella20041007@gmail.com

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Introduction for this episode:

With over six years of experience teaching algebra, calculus, and finite mathematics at the university level, Dr. Faulkner received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics later in universities in North Carolina. Surprisingly, his major undergraduate was anthropology, a very different field of study, at Duke University.

In this episode, Dr. Faulkner shares his experiences studying anthropology during his time at Duke, specifically exploring field research on lemurs' handedness. After graduating, he encountered a fork in the road in his life, and he describes his experiences and the reasons for his transition back to mathematics. In addition to this, he shares his understanding of biological and cultural anthropology. At the end of the episode, out of curiosity, he asks Ella and discusses together the reasons why Ella is interested in anthropology.

Timeline

0:1:56 Why biological anthropology?

0:4:32 Biological Anthropology v. Cultural

0:6:03 About Duke University

0:7:38 Reasons to change

0:10:14 Reality factor: changing careers to nursing?

0:12:46 Ever Regret?

0:14:53 Anthropology is about the human condition

0:19:10 lemur's handedness

0:27:03 Challenges and rewards

0:29:35 Favorite places to do field studies?

0:36:26 Would like to know Ella's opinion on anthropology

Recommended to explore:

• Robert Trivers

Contact information:

If you have any suggestions for this podcast, want to communicate with me further, or simply make a friend, please feel free to contact me! My WeChat: 15012646569 or Email: ella20041007@gmail.com

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Introduction for this episode:
In the past eight years, Ying Jun has studied at Xiamen University, Renmin University in Beijing, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is now a Ph.D. in Anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
In this episode, YingJun shares her reasons for choosing anthropology and her understanding of the subject. We focus on the fieldwork she is doing on "orphan" parenting and foster families in which she discusses the learning style of writing a “field diary”, identifying her multiple identities in it, how she builds trust with the local community and the rewards and challenges in the process. In addition, YingJun answers common questions about the career direction of anthropologists and recommends introductory book lists and programs. Finally, she delivers her words to the audience.

Timeline
0:3:06 Why anthropology
0:4:34 To understand anthropology
0:5:40 Different views in China and abroad
0:8:26 The most "important" field study
0:26:36 Field diaries + multiple identities/outsiders?
0:32:56 How to build trust
0:35:14 A keen farmer
0:44:13 Reasons to persevere
0:47:59 Potential careers
0:56:14 Recommended book list/program
0:57:45 YingJun has something to say

Recommended Reading:
Letters to Lily - Alan MacFarlane

Contact information:
If you have any suggestions for this podcast, want to communicate with me further, or simply make a friend, please feel free to contact me! My WeChat: 15012646569 or Email: ella20041007@gmail.com