From: gil@Gilsys.DIALix.oz.au (Gil Hardwick)
Newsgroups: sci.anthropology
Subject: Distance Education?
Distribution: world
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 92 03:15:12 GMT
Organization: STAFF STRATEGIES - Anthropologists & Training Agents
Reply-To: gil@Gilsys.DIALix.oz.au

Thanks for your mail & posting on a possible Usenet program for
anthropology, everyone. I have opened a file on it at this end and
will keep myself informed of what you expect as we proceed.

First, I must register a disclaimer in that there are no circumstances
in which I will act to usurp or undermine a legitimate chair with
respect to the teaching of Anthropology, nor have it thought that
is either my intention or a consequence of what we want to do here
on the Usenet. This is basically out of an expressed interest in
the work we do as anthropologists, and I think to engender a greater
understanding of the nature of human differences.

Further, my use of the generic "anthropology" will follow this extract
from Geertz's Preface to "Works and Lives":

        A few preliminary caveats are necessary, not in the way
        of apology, which won't help, but for the sake of clarity.
        First, the term "anthropology" is used here mainly as
        equivalent to "ethnography" or "works based on ethno-
        graphy." This usage, though common to the point of being
        standard, is, of course, inexact. I am quite aware that
        archaeology, comparative linguistics, physical anthrop-
        ology, and various other forms of study not, or not
        necessarily, ethnographically based exist and have as
        valid a claim to be included in the "anthropology" rubric
        as does "ethnography" and that they raise discourse issues
        special to themselves. I use the term to refer to socio-
        cultural anthropology, and particularly to that part of
        it that is ethnographically oriented, merely for the sake
        of expository convenience. This use carries no suggestion
        that the sort of work I discuss exhausts the referent of
        the term or that such work is more deserving of it than
        other sorts. (1988, p.v)


Finally, I had not anticipated making the committment to a University
level of instruction through alt.uu, although I WILL chase this up
since it does need to be coordinated. I am only thinking here along
the lines of what we refer to in Australia as a Bridging Program,
which would assist net users in several ways:

        1. Provide a supervised forum for lay people to begin their
           introduction to Anthropology as a discipline.

        2. Assist those interested in making a decision about taking
           Anthropology as a tertiary major, and nurturing them to
           that end.

        3. Enhance the standard of argument within sci.anthropology
           appropriate to the expectations of both academic and
           professional anthropologists, in particular to avoid any
           confusion about what the study of Anthropology represents
           which may arise from egregious and incognizant postings
           to this group. (We have a responsibility to our own
           profession and a duty to our students, not to mention
           an abiding obligation to those people subject to our
           research from time to time)


The e-mail I have received indicates that this is what the people
wanting to do something in Anthropology are keen to start with. I am
neither terribly enthusiastic about demanding a committment from
students at this stage, so we are much in a agreement already.

Certainly the strategy of posting assignments, however, and then
receiving work from students for assessment via e-mail is correct
and does not need any fundamental restructuring to achieve. Posting
new assignments I think would interest the other readers although
each new student would need to enrol for the entire unit, and have
work sent in regularly and on time in order to avoid being deleted
forthwith from the moderator's hard drive.

May I suggest five basic units to start with:

                A. History of Anthropology
                B. Social Organisation
                C. Culture and Religion
                D. Social Theory
                E. Research Methods


These might be taken on by different moderators, and any who are
interested please let me know that we can get together on course
content. Also, a second might be useful in the event of a dispute
over an assessment, while a flame can be referred back to the group
for airing. All of this material is basic, so I do not think any
harm can be done by taking that approach.


Let me know what you think . . .



Gil Hardwick                                      gil@Gilsys.DIALix.oz.au
Independent Consulting Ethnologist                            3:690/660.6
PERTH, Western Australia                                 (+61 9) 399 2401
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