From Here to Ethnography—January 2019 "How Forests Think"

Click here for the Ethnography a Month Resource Center.
Click here for the Introduction to the Round and Square Series "Ethnography a Month."

[a] Thinking Forests RF

A few years ago, as part of an ongoing conversation with my Beloit College student, Jeffrey Le ('2018), I pondered the idea of an intensive, advanced anthropology course that would put students through the paces of the reading ethnography. 

[b] Steps to Knowledge

Back-and-forth we went with ideas for classic works to recently-published wonders that deserve immediate reading.

So, instead of a class (for now, at least), we're going to read a book-a-month. Together.

Since those discussions in my office, another Beloit College graduate, Kathryn Morrice ('2018) has joined us. She brings a natural sciences perspective that will help foster discussion.

So, this is the first in what will be an ongoing series on Round and Square, and it is as "straightforward" as the title suggests (that's a little bit of a joke). We are going to read and ponder an ethnography every single month, give comments, write a few reviews, and share them with readers (who we hope will also share comments and suggestions for coming months).  

Round and Square editors are experienced enough by now, however, to know that the going will be a little bit slow at first. Still, we have great hopes for a lively discussion of good ethnography as we continue. Just think of it—if you are a busy, professional anthropologist, there will be another twelve books each year that you'll click off of your to-do list. 

[c] How Forests Think RF

If you are (all the more likely) a busy non-professional anthropologist, but would like to see more about what makes "ethnography" so interesting as a genre, you have come to the right place.

Let's get started. This season (January-March 2019) we'll read How Forests Think: Toward and Anthropology Beyond the Human by Eduardo Kohn (California, 2013). Here is the link to the University of California Press website.

https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520276116/how-forests-think

So get yourself a copy (you know the drill by now), and let's get reading. I welcome comments here on Round and Square, through Facebook, and even by mail (I'm not that hard to find).

We're just getting our feet wet, so the series introduction (coming soon) will explain the concept more deeply.

Start thinking about forests, and we are eager to hear from you soon.

[d] Canopy Dawn RF