PowerPoint slides (in English): de-leon-seminar-2-eng-ht23.pptx

In this seminar, we will examine how this text both uncovers and situates culture in migrant experiences of border crossing, as well as explore how ethnographic research and writings deal with questions of power and representation.

Readings:

Chapter 8, Chapter 10 (pp. 251 – 264), Chapter 11 (pp. 265–69, pp. 274–79), Epilogue (pp. 283–87)

Introduction (15 min):

We will begin the seminar by summarizing our discussions from the last seminar and lecture.

Group activity (45 min):

In the groups you must discuss the questions from the task:

How would you use this book to explain what anthropology is to someone outside the class? Focus on the following questions:

In what way is culture explored in the text? Do you think it is related to race/racialization?
What do you think about how the author explores death, loss, and grief? What makes this discussion anthropological?
How is culture related to other processes, e.g., political, ecological, economic, etc.?
Do you think this book says something about power or power structures?

Instructions:

In your discussion, please select three ethnographic examples from De León's book, like chapters or parts of chapters, to answer the questions.
It is important that you analyze the examples, that is, discuss how the examples relate to the arguments presented by the author.

Discussion (30 min)

You will discuss the questions in your groups. You will share your summaries and questions with the rest of us.