Searching for knowledge: method, gloss, and the failure of information :: Ethnography

I. Sketching Knowledge I have a recurring nightmare that I am on my way to becoming a post-modern positivist. In the dark recesses of my inner sanctum, my constant justifications of the worth of inductive, nonhypothesisdriven, participatory, and emic-centered research finally give way under the pressure of graduate student’s dismissal of methods as unimportant and an all too often dismissal of anthropology by some given that its â€Å"just† anecdotes. These fears are backed by a frightening realization that I have colleagues in other disciplines (i.e., critical geography, social work, and even sympathetic political science) who appear to take our method more seriously than we do. Is anthropology doomed? This semester I am teaching ethnographic methods to a class of first year graduate students and I am often struck by how keen they are to know â€Å"how it is done.† But simultaneously, how difficult it is for them to specify any concrete method beyond interviewing and observing. Often they are actually most interested in questions of logistics: the real â€Å"how is it done† questions. How did you get a visa, where did you live, how long did you stay, how did you afford it, did your partner come with you, were you insured? And of course, a professor who has taught the course before advised me that I shouldn’t prepare lectures, but rather just â€Å"tell stories.† So I spend a lot of my time in this class telling stories, (which satisfies my pedagogical fears over not knowing enough about method to cover 20 hours of course-time – having had a significant part of my own training in the â€Å"go out and do it† approach), but also imploring these anthropologists-in-training to think about what information they are interested in, and the best ways to get it. I tell them that we need to take data collection seriously, or at least we need to have a serious think about what will answer our questions. However, some of them seem to think of it as busy-work. As they repeatedly tell me, one of the dogmas of Malinowski-as-practiced dissertation fieldwork is â€Å"your 2 questions will change once you are in the field,† so why should they spend loads of time thinking about how to answer their original question? Also, some ask, doesn’t this jeopardize the nature of inductive research? I believe in the necessity of the anthropological flexibility that these students are highlighting through their questioning of research preparation. However, it seems to me that some of them are conflating fixity and research design, rather than giving real consideration to particular methodological

Business Ethic

MGT3201 / 3231: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND GRADING STRUCTURE Individual Case Study (20%) This assessment criteria and grading structure is used as the: 1. general guidelines for marking written coursework, and 2. feedback to the students for future improvement. |Content |Analysis |Evidence of Reflection |Achievement of Learning | | | | | |Outcomes | |20 |Excellent quality of |Extremely through analysis|Describes and evaluates all |Full synthesis of the | | |content; very wide range |of material given; high |events from multiple |module through the | | |of options considered, |level of self-awareness |perspectives; transfers |achievement learning | | |imaginative and creative |and aspirations; |concepts beyond that |outcomes and full | |17 |approach. Excellent range |convincing and lucid |particular setting; |understanding of the | | |of appropriate resources |justification of choices |recognizing and justifying |process. | | |used. |made. |the impact of a specific | | | | | |situation o n learning. | | |16. |Very good quality content,|Very through analysis; |Describes ad evaluates some |Some evaluation of the | | |wide range of options |very good level of |events from different |Learning Outcomes. | | |considered, through |self-awareness and |perspectives; transfers some | | | |approach. Very good use of|aspirations; through |concepts; can recognize | | |14 |resources available. |justification of choices |impact of specific situations| | | | |made. |on learning. | | |13. 9 |Good quality content, |Good analysis; good level |Describes and evaluates |Evidence of application of| | reasonable range of |of self-awareness; some |events but stays in one |the learning outcomes. | | |options considered. Good |justification of choices |domain. | | | |use of resources. |made. | | | |10 | | | | | |9. 9 |Satisfactory content with |Some analysis; some levels|Uses practical and simplistic|Evidence of understanding | | |few options considered. |of self-awareness, little |statements to describe |the Learning Outcomes. | | |May be less through |justification.Limited |events; some sense of cause | | | |approach. Some evidence of|explanation of choices |and effect; some sense of | | |6 |use of resources. |made. |transfer. | | |5. 9 |Meager quality of content,|Adequate analysis; little |Descries personal experience |Acknowledgement of the | | |only one or two options |level of self-awareness; |only; little sense of cause |Learning Outcomes. | | |considered. Very basic, |limited justification; |and effect; little sense of | | | |limited approach.Poor use|poor explanation of |transfer. | | |3 |of resources. |choices made. | | | |2. 9 |Very poor quality of |No evidence of analysis. |Describes personal experience|Few Learning Outcomes | | |content, no detail. No | |in a simplistic manner only. |achieved. | | |evidence’s of use of | | | | |0 |resources. | | | | ? 1500 word Report (excluding appendices) Content, relevancy to the topic title, authenticity of mater ial provided and etc. ? Literature Review (Resources) ? Emphasis on Referencing (Harvard Referencing System) ? The Assignment should be of an analysis, evaluative, argumentative, synthesis of moral justifications, reasoning , concise & lucid and excellent range of appropriate resources used rather than purely descriptive and should include a number of appendices, containing Supporting evidence for findings, analysis, conclusions and Recommendations Assessment Class:MGT3201 / MGT3231 Business Ethics Case Study: Group Members:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1) Define the Issue __________________________________________________________________ ) Analysis / Arguments __________________________________________________________________ 3) Evidence of reflection / Justification __________________________________________________________________ 4) Moral Reasoning / Achievement of Learning Outcome __________________________________________________________________ 5) Resources ______________________________ ____________________________________ Total Score:_____ / 100 marks Final Percentage:_____ / 20% Guidelines for the Individual Report (20%) In order to facilitate processing of the Academic standard of report, please follow the general guidelines for the format and preparation of the individual report. Must have the following formatting: | |Spacing – double line paragraphs | |Font – Tahoma 10 or 11 point or Times New Roman 12 point | |Bolds – emphasis of paragraph titles or headings | |Margins set at 1† (top, bottom, left and right sides) | |Justification – left | |Page numbering: beginning on first page of report (not cover page) | |Headers or footers: name of student & ID, programme of study, academic session | |Spelling and grammar checked | |Programs – Microsoft Word or Excel if you have tables is preferred. |

Symbolism In Desirees Baby, By Kate Chopin - 1120 Words

The mystery of the unknown appears in Gothic Literature almost everywhere, but while leaving the reader guessing, hints are included to guide an inference. In Kate Chopins â€Å"Desirees Baby† she explores the ideas of racism and the idea that women are under men and are the cause of all problems, she also includes symbolism to portray a deeper meaning which is present in her other works. Although it is not blatantly said in the story, it can be inferred that Desiree killed herself and her baby near the end of the story. There is a sense of uncertainty yet prominent foreshadowing that this was going to happen once Desiree has the realization that her baby is not fully white, and becoming dejected. This is inferred by the inclusion of quotes†¦show more content†¦This symbol has been used in many stories including Kate Chopins â€Å"The Awakening† where she uses water as a symbol of finding freedom and being awoken. Water as a symbol has a deeper meaning of finding oneself and being free. It is not just water, it guides characters and inspires them to either make a change or it sets them free from their worries. Being that Desiree was troubled by the new weight put upon her by the assumption of her husband, she feels as if she cannot live being so unhappy. The Bayou which is an area of water being semi-swamp like can be seen as a place of freedom for Des iree. Since she chose not to take the road to her mothers and instead took the less traveled path, it can be inferred that she wanted to be set free and thought she would never be free even after she left her husbands plantation. This plays into leading the reader to infer that Desiree has killed herself and her child. Kate Chopin also expresses the symbol of clothing by dressing Desiree in pure white, characterizing her as pure and someone who can do no wrong. The dress of Desiree plays into the foreshadowing that she is not the one to blame. White is seen as a color of purity. Desiree is described as wearing â€Å"soft white muslins and laces,† both playing into purity and femininity (Chopin 329).Show MoreRelatedForeshadowing And Symbolism In Desirees Baby By Kate Chopin701 Words   |  3 PagesIn the short story called â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† written by Kate Chopin, the author used many different literary elements to describe and build up many characters. But two of the one that stands out the most was the foreshadowing and symbolism. These elements helped to build up Desiree Valmonde, one of the main character in the short story. First thing first is the foreshadowing, since it was the first thing most of the reader noticed. After the couple-Armand Aubigny and Desiree Valmonde- got marriedRead More Symbolism in Desirees Baby by Kate Chopin Essay944 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism in Desirees Baby by Kate Chopin Desirees Baby is Kate Chopins most well-known short story and most anthologized piece of work. The story takes place in southern Louisiana and her writing reflects her Creole-French descent. Chopin begins the story with a descriptive quote, when she reached LAbri she shuddered at the first sight of it, as she always did. It was a sad looking place...Big solemn oaks grew close to it and their thick leaved, far-reaching branches shadowed it likeRead MoreAn Analysis Of Armand Aubigny s Desiree s Baby 1538 Words   |  7 PagesArmand Aubigny’s Pride in â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† by Kate Chopin Through history, we have always yearned independence and equality as human beings. Undoubtedly, Kate Chopin is an extraordinary example She has landed a commendable place among American writers worthy of recognition. Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1850, Kate was raised by strong women who taught her the value of an education. Her family gave her a revolutionary vision and a feminist personality, but it was her talented and passionate skillsRead More Kate Chopins Desirees Baby Essays1394 Words   |  6 PagesKate Chopins Desirees Baby This essay will focus on the short story by Kate Chopin and its use of symbols, setting and characters. Desiree’s baby was perhaps one of the best stories I’ve ever read. Analyzing it was not easy at all. Its use of symbols was very hard to comprehend. At first, it doesn’t make sense. But as you think criticallyRead MoreDesirees Baby Analysis Essay1415 Words   |  6 Pagesessay will focus on the short story by Kate Chopin and its use of symbols, setting and characters. Desiree’s baby was perhaps one of the best stories I’ve ever read. Analyzing it was not easy at all. Its use of symbols was very hard to comprehend. At first, it doesn’t make sense. But as you think critically, all the symbols, and setting and the characters in this literature plunge together in one amazing story. Literary Analysis on Kate Chopins Desirees Baby â€Å"Tell me what it means!† she criedRead MoreAnalysis Of Kate Chopin s Desiree s Baby 987 Words   |  4 Pagesunderstanding of people are compromised.† Kate Chopin’s story, â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† is a story solely of racial identity, sexism, pride and love. Throughout, there’s symbolism to indicate unequal gender functions, as well as racial prejudice. Readers become mindful of the effects love and pride has over actions, as the story foreshadows numerously. Thoroughly, analytical evidence will focus on the irony of racial identity, symbolism of sexism, pride and love. Desiree’s Baby is a short story centered directlyRead MoreRacial And Sexual Discrimination Throughout Desiree s Baby And Society1408 Words   |  6 PagesRacial and Sexual Discrimination Throughout Desiree’s Baby and Society It was a very tough life for many women and blacks during the 19th Century because of the domination of the white men. Their social and economic lives showed the hardships they faced and was a constant reminder of the domination. The social ideology present in â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† was a powerful and dangerous force that showed no mercy to any character. A woman with small children who lost her husband would find no support or comfortRead MoreKate Chopin s The Locket And Desiree s Baby1575 Words   |  7 Pages Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Locket† and â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† are two stories where heart-rending news changed main characters lives. In the beginning of the both stories love between couples is described. Desiree is happy being wife and mother to newborn male baby while in the Locket Edmond is constantly thinking about his sweetheart Octavie. Both stories touch different sides of love, which appears fortunate in the Locket, but destructive in Desiree s Baby. In â€Å"Desiree’s Baby†, Armand begins distancingRead MoreDesirees Baby Analysis Essay1333 Words   |  6 PagesTITLE In Kate Chopin’s story, â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† she tells of a story set in Louisiana in the mid-nineteenth century on a white plantation some time before the Civil War when slavery was still legal. Readers will see the unraveling of a marriage because of assumptions and hatred that will lead to heartbreak. In this story, the readers will explore the impacts of racism and racial inequality and how the racial tension of the time effected the lives of Desiree and her husband Armand. Chopin begins herRead MoreEssay about Desirees Baby2009 Words   |  9 Pagesthe sex and color of a person. Kate Chopin exemplifies these roles very accurately within her story, Desiree’s Baby. In the short fiction story, Desiree’s Baby, the author Kate Chopin incorporates many motifs, symbols, and imagery to describe gender assumptions and racial roles for both men and women in the 1800s by narrating the story of an adopted mother named Desiree, with no known lineage, and her prideful husband Armand. The most notable literary devices Chopin incorporates to convey her message