Using relevant anthropological theory and ethnography, develop a critical interpretation of a recent case or cases of poisoning or pollution.
Draw the case or cases from media reports, NGO reports, policy reports, or other publicly available sources. You are welcome to interpret poisoning or pollution broadly and to develop a comparative discussion of two or three cases. Some examples, drawn from recent headlines might include:
Fears of body burdens and toxic loads associated with modern life;
Relationships between poisoned environments and human bodies;
Political assassination using poisons;
Vaccine denial and conspiracy theories;
Threshold politics, of doses, bodies, communities, nations…
Chemical spills and other forms of environmental pollution;
Cross-border pollution;
Pollution and population displacement;
Waste disposal;
Industrial disasters and their fallout;
Poisoning and contamination in/of consumer products;
Controversies around pesticide or other chemical product science and regulation.
The essay should:
Clearly introduce the case being analysed, including location, dates, principal actors, and a description of events as they unfolded;
Clearly introduce the source material and note any gaps or shortcomings;
Develop a critical discussion that uses relevant anthropological theory and ethnography to interpret the case using a social anthropological lens and how the case helps to extend or challenge the theory you are using;
Treat case reports as if they are ethnographic interlocutors never take things are face value, and always ask Why has this story been told in this way? What biases, agendas, and/or wider interests or issues are relevant here?
Use the case or cases to think critically about the theory and ethnography you are using. This means suggesting how the case or cases might help us to rethink lines of argument and debate in anthropology
This does not require extensive research into a case or cases, but you should ensure you have enough material to make your argument convincingly. As long as there is a well-reported case or cases, you should be able to locate sufficient material
When choosing material, be sure the sources you use are reputable serious media outlets, bona fide environmental or health organisations and community groups (unless it is specifically setting out to explore disreputable sources or conspiracy theories).
I have included a list of the key readings for this course.
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