Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
How important is getting the perfect shot? And what must make way for this? I use experiences from an ethnographic research period in an area threatened by climate change to argue how audiovisual...Show moreHow important is getting the perfect shot? And what must make way for this? I use experiences from an ethnographic research period in an area threatened by climate change to argue how audiovisual methodologies may reduce researchers' feelings of empathy towards participants. This paper elaborates on diverse literature to demonstrate how both empathy and aesthetics can be of great importance when performing ethnographic research, and real-life examples to show how these concepts relate to eachother during fieldwork. Although this paper focuses specifically on the implications of audiovisual methodologies on me as a researcher, similar ideas may apply to anyone researching people in precarious situations. I have found that seeking empathy and prioritizing aesthetics can coincide with the help of collaborative creativity, on which I elaborate in the final chapter.Show less
Some serious concerns regarding the growing role of higher education in the world-wide knowledge economy are that the neoliberalization of higher education is undermining higher education’s...Show moreSome serious concerns regarding the growing role of higher education in the world-wide knowledge economy are that the neoliberalization of higher education is undermining higher education’s contributions to the public good. This role of higher education historically has been seen as fostering economic development of nations and the provision of opportunities for individuals to promoting and harmonizing cultural diversity, political democracy, and economic trade. Critics allege higher education institutions worldwide, but especially in Latin America have become or are becoming handmaidens of neoliberal institutions, including neoliberal states and such global institutions as the world bank or the OECD (Rose 2003, 67-68). Is this true? If neoliberalization of higher education is indeed happening, do neoliberal reforms promote more inclusive higher education responsive to labor market needs? By addressing this research question, we can have a better understanding of the dynamics of higher education and their position within society. This might give more insight on a regional level of how these dynamics function, but it could also be an insight into the comparison with other developing regions.Show less
