
Eating Soup Without a Spoon
Anthropological Theory and Method in the Real World
Jeffrey H. Cohen(Author)
University of Texas Press
Published on 15. November 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
197 pages
978-1-4773-0782-3 (ISBN)
Description
Significant scholarship exists on anthropological fieldwork and methodologies. Some anthropologists have also published memoirs of their research experiences. Renowned anthropologist Jeffrey Cohen's Eating Soup without a Spoon is a first-of-its-kind hybrid of the two, expertly melding story with methodology to create a compelling narrative of fieldwork that is deeply grounded in anthropological theory.
Cohen's first foray into fieldwork was in 1992, when he lived in Santa Anna del Valle in rural Oaxaca, Mexico. While recounting his experiences studying how rural folks adapted to far-reaching economic changes, Cohen is candid about the mistakes he made and the struggles in the village. From the pressures of gaining the trust of a population to the fear of making errors in data collection, Cohen explores the intellectual processes behind ethnographic research. He offers tips for collecting data, avoiding pitfalls, and embracing the chaos and shocks that come with working in an unfamiliar environment. Cohen's own photographs enrich his vivid portrayals of daily life.
In this groundbreaking work, Cohen discusses the adventure, wonder, community, and friendships he encountered during his first year of work, but, first and foremost, he writes in service to the field as a place to do research: to test ideas, develop theories, and model how humans cope and react to the world.
Cohen's first foray into fieldwork was in 1992, when he lived in Santa Anna del Valle in rural Oaxaca, Mexico. While recounting his experiences studying how rural folks adapted to far-reaching economic changes, Cohen is candid about the mistakes he made and the struggles in the village. From the pressures of gaining the trust of a population to the fear of making errors in data collection, Cohen explores the intellectual processes behind ethnographic research. He offers tips for collecting data, avoiding pitfalls, and embracing the chaos and shocks that come with working in an unfamiliar environment. Cohen's own photographs enrich his vivid portrayals of daily life.
In this groundbreaking work, Cohen discusses the adventure, wonder, community, and friendships he encountered during his first year of work, but, first and foremost, he writes in service to the field as a place to do research: to test ideas, develop theories, and model how humans cope and react to the world.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Austin, TX
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4773-0782-3 (9781477307823)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Jeffrey H. Cohen is a professor of anthropology at the Ohio State University. He is the author of several books, including Cultures of Migration: The Global Nature of Contemporary Mobility and The Culture of Migration in Southern Mexico.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Setting Up and Settling In
Chapter 2. The First Month and First Steps
Chapter 3. Field Matters
Chapter 4. The Rhythm of Fieldwork
Chapter 5. Fine-Tuning and Focus in the Field
Chapter 6. Bumps and Breaks in the Field
Chapter 7. Finishing?
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Setting Up and Settling In
Chapter 2. The First Month and First Steps
Chapter 3. Field Matters
Chapter 4. The Rhythm of Fieldwork
Chapter 5. Fine-Tuning and Focus in the Field
Chapter 6. Bumps and Breaks in the Field
Chapter 7. Finishing?
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index