But the goals of science, anthropology and the media are surprisingly similar - and most science journalists work hard to understand what anthropologists are trying to convey. In this workshop these issues will be examinated by looking at science communications in general, the very special challenges anthropology faces with media, and determining ways to improve communications from a practical standpoint. The afternoon seminar will look more generally at the emergence of the ethnography of media as a field, mapping the different approaches that have emerged in anthropology that engage media as part of a broader social practice. Students are encouraged to discuss their own work.
Ethnography looks to the future.
This day on the summer school course will survey the issues which need to be addressed if ethnographers are to evaluate seriously the cyberspace hypothesis - the notion that humans are currently living through a fundamental social transformation. The focus lies on the relationship between anthropology and cultural studies with respect to new media. The other very important topic concerns the relationship between technology and culture - looking at processes of objectification and issues of agency and power. It would include discussions of new media technologies in relation to social identities, both personal and institutional. The workshop combines theoretical discussions with history and ethnographic case studies.