Innovation, production and specialization in early prehistoric copper metallurgy

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.S. Ottaway
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Individual Stage ◽  
Old World ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Copper Metallurgy

The process of the production of copper and bronze is presented in this paper as a sequential operation. Each stage of this process may influence the final product. The deconstruction of the process is a convenient way of examining each individual stage, using archaeological case studies from different places within the Old World and, where useful, ethnographic studies. The examination will focus on two aspects: innovation and specialization. It seeks to move beyond technological determinism by relating the study of technology to the context of those societies which shaped and practised it and which exercised certain choices in its execution.

Wedding Lamentation

2019 ◽  
pp. 27-56
Author(s):  
Sarah Weiss
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Documentary Film ◽  
World Religions ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
Historical Periods

This chapter explores wedding lamentation across cultures. Case studies from United Kingdom, Greece, Russia, and Northern India rely on data drawn from ethnographic studies and those from Finland, India, and Italy are historical, based on data drawn from documentary film, literature, and song. Examining similar phenomena occurring in different cultures, religions, and historical periods demonstrates the similar ways in which women’s performance at ritual events in different cultural and historical settings plays an important role in localizing world religions.

scholarly journals What can ethnography offer: methodological reflections and case studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
K. Fleming ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Sensitive Data ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Language Studies ◽  
Language And Education

This paper discusses the advantages and challenges of ethnography as a research method, especially as applied to the study of language in complex multilingual contexts. In this paper, we briefly outline the theoretical and methodological foundations of ethnography, and then we reflect on our own experiences as researchers making use of this method in two different contexts — Hong Kong (Fleming) and Kazakhstan (Smagulova). We conclude by suggesting possible benefits of ethnography and ethnographically-informed approaches in relation to the study of language and education in Kazakhstan. The authors of this article specialize in the fields of language, society, and education; accordingly, the insights we offer might be of particular interest for scholars doing research in similar domains. However, we do acknowledge that the potential of the methodological application of ethnography transcends language studies. Indeed, ethnographic methods have contributed substantially to knowledge production across various academic disciplines. The strength of ethnography as a method, we believe, lies in its capacity to generate rich, deep, and context-sensitive data whether used separately or together with other approaches in multi-dimensional studies. Kazakhstan is a context where relatively few ethnographic studies have taken place, and which might benefit greatly from further studies of this type.

The Multiple Voices of American Klezmer

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABIGAIL WOOD
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
World Music ◽  
Old World ◽  
Jewish Music ◽  
Jewish Heritage ◽  
Multiple Voices ◽  
The World ◽  
European Jewish ◽  
Radical Transformation ◽  
Insight Into

Since the 1970s, klezmer has undergone a revival and radical transformation. Originally a European Jewish music, klezmer is now a staple of the world music scene. Although the fusion of instrumental and vocal genres under a single musical umbrella is a significant marker of change between the Old World and revived klezmer repertories, the extension of the boundaries of the klezmer repertory to encompass vocal material has largely been overlooked by practitioners and scholars. This article reinstates song in the narrative of the klezmer revival, exploring how and why it has assumed its prominent position. In case studies of three ensembles, song gives insight into the sensibilities of individual musicians and offers a prism through which to consider contemporary klezmer as both an American Jewish heritage music and a world music genre.

scholarly journals Developmentalism and Territory: Three Transport Infrastructures in Santa Fe (Argentina, 1957-1971) as Case Studies

2021 ◽  
pp. 43-62
Author(s):  
Camila Costa
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Santa Fe ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Constituent Part ◽  
Technological Artifacts ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Production Conditions

This study aims to recognize the elements that make up the notion of technological determinism and the power (in a political sense) of technologies in the transformation of a given area. Three major infrastructure projects are addressed, understood as technological artifacts, built in the 1960s, that consolidated the physiognomy of the corridor of National Route 168 —Santa Fe city, Argentina—. The hypothesis that guides the study assumes that infrastructures and their materiality have influenced the transformation of the territory that contains them, specifically in the Santa Fe-Paraná metropolitan area. The cases addressed —two bridges and a subfluvial tunnel— were analyzed through the recognition of their construction systems, architectural aspects —if any— and production conditions. Concrete as the predominant material turns out to be, not only the condition of possibility to experience the territory, but also, a constituent part of it. It is considered that the context of production of the works —developmental model— and the level of appropriation and assessment achieved, are fundamental aspects to understand the notion of technological determinism in these infrastructures.

Testbeds for Authoritarianism

2021 ◽  
pp. 127-149
Author(s):  
Scott Timcke
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
United States ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
21St Century ◽  
The United States ◽  
Knowledge System ◽  
Great Power ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
American Academic

This chapter traces the evolving intersection of capital, security and technology to examine the broad trajectory of unfreedom. This chapter drives at the central stakes of technology in 21st-century American life: whether technology will help codify flat capitalist realism, or if it can help deliver broad-based emancipation. The chapter revisits some assumptions of 'totalizing technological determinism' as they conceptualize the manufacturing, acquisition and deployment of digital arms. It critiques the Mead–Straub–Wright analysis of great power competition. It examines deterministic thinking through several case studies in which digital arms manufacturing are oriented towards security objectives. The case studies involve the United States as conceptualized by analysts and researchers who participate in the wider American academic-knowledge system. The chapter assesses how these analysts do or do not anticipate how artificial intelligence and its implementation will be incorporated into existing organizations and politics.

scholarly journals The multi-variation approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathrine Hasse
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Analytical Approach ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Variation Approach

AbstractThis article argues that a multi-variation approach can be a useful supplement to existing ethnographic studies in the field of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). The multi-variation approach builds on classical ethnographic case studies, where a researcher studies a delimited field in a microstudy of a particular robot, its makers, users, and affected stakeholders. The approach is also inspired by multi-sited studies, where researchers move across fields, adding to the complexity of the ethnographic findings. Whereas both approaches build on analysis of microstudies, the multi-variation approach is further inspired by postphenomenology, where the main aim is to deliberately seek variation – thus again adding to the complexity of the detailed findings. Here, the multivariation approach includes several researchers studying several types of robots across sites. The analytical approach seeks patterns across this complexity – and the claim is that a multi-variation approach has a strength in findings that are systematic and consistent across cases, sites, and variations. The article gives an example of such cross-variation findings in the robot field – namely the tendency for roboticists across cases and robot types to publicly present their robots as more finished and wellfunctioning than they actually are.

scholarly journals Ethnographic Approach for Research on Vernacular Architecture: Four Case Studies of Indigenous Communities in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Agus D. Hariyanto ◽  
Iwan Sudradjat ◽  
Sugeng Triyadi
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Vernacular Architecture ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Ethnographic Approach ◽  
Living Culture ◽  
Anthropological Approach

Many ethnic groups with unique cultures exist in Indonesia, but their vernacular architecture and living cultures need to be supported to ensure sustainability. One example of how a more anthropological approach to the design and planning of the built environment requires a better understanding is the study of the living culture of indigenous communities. Unsurprisingly, an ethnographic approach is critical to studying these communities' architecture and living culture in Indonesia. This study aims to outline the main principles of the ethnographic approach and review the implementation of these principles in previous studies on the vernacular architecture of indigenous communities in Indonesia. A comparative analysis of four case studies shows that each study has implemented the approach's main principles contextually. The results showed that the four case studies utilized observation and interviews to collect field data in slightly different terms. Although each case study's objectives, focus, and issues were different, the researchers managed to provide a cultural portrait that included the participants' views (emic) and the researcher's opinions (etic). The similarities between the four communities are religious or belief systems affecting the architecture and living culture, which are cultural aspects that significantly affect each case as part of the findings embodied in themes resulting from interpretation. These results can help to develop guidelines for designers and planners working in indigenous communities. Through ethnographic studies, architects and planners can understand indigenous communities' point of view (etic) to integrate their perspectives (emic) when working hand in hand with the community. 

scholarly journals Negara dan Ilegalitas: Studi Kasus Perdagangan Burung di Wilayah Jakarta

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Indraini Hapsari ◽  
Semiarto Aji Purwanto
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
The State ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Illegal Activities ◽  
The Relationship

This article aims to analyze the relationship between state and illegality which taking place at the center, namely in Jakarta. The study becomes significant for examining how mechanisms and relations of non-state and state actors occur. Many ethnographic studies of illegal activities, such as gold mining, logging, and fishing show that such businesses take place on the periphery or border where the state has weak control over such places. Data is conducted by literature study and short field observations.Our case studies of illegal trade in the bird market in Jakarta will question the Weberian perspective which defines the state as a legal and rational institution that will always enforce control in its territory. In this article, we consider the state as a relational arena where it is possible for various actors, both non-state and state actors, to participate in illegal activities through contestations or collaboration to achieve their respective interests or goals. 

scholarly journals Vetenskaplig expertis och Nordområdets naturresurser

Nordlit ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Urban Wråkberg
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Stewardship ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Open Society ◽  
Technological Management ◽  
Material Extraction ◽  
The Way

The essay reflects on political pressures exerted by and on scientists and technologists acting as advisors on political and economic matters of the high north.It uses two case studies to do this. One consists in the group of scientists from several nations who engaged as advisors to their foreign offices in the process leading up tothe ratification of the Spitsbergen/Svalbard treaty in 1920. The focus is on the discourse regarding hunting, mining and nature protections on these islands. The second case is the way technologists and geological scientists were engaged in the industrialisation of the USSR. These contexts of course differ in scale and in many other ways but are similar in certain respects. The discussion is centred on the problems of technocracy which is commented based on the Frankfurt school's elaborations on the open society and differing interpretations of technological determinism. This is related further to contemporary contentions over the balance between scientific based environmental stewardship and technological management in northern raw material extraction.

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