Creativity in Anthropology
Despite the challenges of a pandemic year, our students have continued to shine. They have shown exceptional resilience and creativity, crafting projects which help us think anthropologically about how we learn and share knowledge in the university. Below are just a couple of examples of how undergraduate students in our courses this past year have expressed their thoughtful ingenuity. Enjoy!
Assignment submitted for ANTH 4069: Historical Ecology, in Fall 2020
Northfield Stroll: A Rap About Wilderness, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Direct Action And Ancho
The professor for ANTH 4069, Dr. Steve Kosiba, wrote about Keegan’s project: “I gave the students the opportunity to do an "unessay" for one of their projects. The idea was for them to express themselves in a manner other than writing. It was not required. I was floored by Keegan's creative, witty, intelligent, and altogether genius (not to mention, well-recorded) rap and written submission for the assignment. The rap is not only a poignant critique of "wilderness," but also a brilliantly succinct and entertaining rendering of a central point of discussion in the class. Bravo!”
Keegan is a third year Anthropology student also majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in Spanish. They love to go on adventures and binge watch Netflix. “Strong Virgo energy. Be the Jim to my Pam? Here for a good time not for a long time.”
Project submitted for ANTH 5237W: Inka, Aztec and Maya Civilizations in Fall 2020:
“Poem for the Massacre at the Fiesta of Toxcatl”
The professor for ANTH 5237, Dr. Steve Kosiba, wrote about Sailer’s project: “The assignment was to write an account of the Spanish invasion of Mexico from a native perspective. The students could write an essay that took a "bottom up" historiographic perspective, or they could try something more creative. Sailer submitted something absolutely wonderful -- a rendering of a central event of the invasion, not only told from the perspective of a Mexica person, but also fitting the style of Aztec poetry. We had read some Aztec poetry in class, but we did not study it in detail, besides selections from the text called "Broken Spears." Sailer did this on their own. My mind was blown.”
Sailer is currently a sophomore working for the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and a toy store in their hometown. They like Shirley Jackson novels, language learning, Dungeons & Dragons, and Halloween. Next year, Sailer is looking forward to continuing their studies in anthropology and their work with CHGS.
