Project title: Ethics in Academic Anthropology
Proposed Project Period: February 19th -May 2nd

Investigators:

Bridget Gray
Anthropology Student, Senior
218-724-8214

Tara Haynes
Anthropology Student, Junior
218-729-7619 218-721-3692

Derek Notman
Anthropology/Archaeology Student, Junior
218-724-9091

Angie Schmidt
Anthropology Student, Senior
218-724-6388

Bill Smith
Anthropology Student, Senior
218-721-3692

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of the ethics involved in academic anthropology. Our goal is to explore the ethics practiced by anthropology professors in the academic setting. This is especially important for anthropology professors because of the many ethical dilemmas faced in situations during field work and the influence of professors' ethical perspectives on their students. The research will be explored by five undergraduate anthropology students by conducting interviews, both in person and by email, of academic anthropologists currently involved in the university setting. Additional information will be gathered through extensive reviewing of literature. Cumulatively, this project should reflect the range of opinions and objective ways in approaching and teaching differences to students and how to deal with it cross-culturally.

Project Description

Introduction
This project will be executed by a team of five students of anthropology, under the direction of Professor Linda Belote. We are one of three groups looking at the broader subjects of ethics and anthropology, examining the ethical issues faced when doing academic anthropology. The students in this sub-group include: Bridget Gray,Tara Haynes, Derek Notman, Angie Schmidt, and Bill Smith.

Problem and Significance
Anthropologists face certain ethical dilemmas when conducting fieldwork, teaching, and in their publications about the people they study. Cultural relativism is an anthropological concept which recognizes there are many different viewpoints, each equally valid when considered within their cultural context. Therefore, we are going to examine three aspects of this problem: 1) ethics in the classroom 2) ethics in personal field experience 3) ethics in publishing. The AAA Code of Ethics addresses the ethical issues faced by students, professors, subjects, universities, and social scientists. Because anthropology skirts the fine line between science and humanities special ethical problems can arise. We wish to find how professors approach ethical problems while upholding an ethical code. Exploring ethical problems faced by anthropology professorsin all aspects of their work will hopefully help other social science professors gain a better understanding and awareness of their influence on the ethical formation of their students. It will also help anthropology students to begin to formulate their own positions. Another goal of this project is to gain personal, public, and professional awareness of differing perspectives obtained in the classroom and in the field.

Background
We have started our research by looking at journal articles on the subject of ethical issues and dilemmas faced both in the classroom and in the field. The list of resources is not yet complete.

Objectives
This study has a number of desired outcomes that include but are not limited to:

1.How social science professors deal with the subject of objectivity versus indoctrination to a certain point of view?
2.What ethical considerations need to be evaluated for subjects used in research?
3.To what degree do students and professors have intellectual freedom?
4.What is professional behavior and how can it be achieved?
5.What behavior in the field is acceptable?
6.What should one disclose about their research, what should not be disclosed and how do you know when to do which?
7.Is it ethical or should it be mandatory to discuss what does or could happen to a culture if you research it and/or expose to another culture?
8.What is informed consent and why is it necessary?

Methodology
We feel the most valuable resources to be tapped on this issue will be through interviews of professors having personal experience in dealing with ethical issues and dilemmas faced both in the classroom and in the field. Each individual member in the group will conduct two interviews via email, phone, or letter. In addition, two interviews conducted by two members of the group with a knowledgeable interviewee will increase understanding of ethical issues faced by professors and students. We are approaching the dilemma from a multidisciplinary angle by using the four anthropological subfields of biological, archaeology, cultural, and linguistic anthropology as well as the sociological perspective. By approaching the subject this way, we will be interviewing UMD anthropology professors that specialize in these subfields as well as a sociology professor. Each member of the team will lead the group in a component of the project. All members of the group are responsible for providing full participation in acquiring information for the end product.

Leadership Roles
Proposal: Tara Haynes
Interview Questions: Angie Schmidt
Final Report: Bridget Gray
Library Research: Bill Smith
Web Page Design: Derek Notman

Time Table
Proposal: February 19, 2001
Final Draft of Interview Questions: February 28, 2001
Interview Period: March 19-April 16, 2001
Field Notes: April 16, 2001
Final Report/Presentation: April 30, 2001
Web Page: May 8, 2001

Personnel and Facilities
Essential to the completion of this project is research and interviewing. These both will be thoroughly utilized by the five team members because of their extensive experience with these two ethnographic methodologies.
1. The University of Minnesota-Duluth's Library, current faculty at UMD, and other Universities, and Internet access will provide our group with the resources needed to complete this research project. Digital cameras will be used for web site photos.

Evaluation
Individually, we will be evaluated by our team members and as a team we will refer back to our list of objectives to see that we have accomplished our intended goals. As a finished product, Prof. Linda Belote will give the final evaluation in the form of a letter grade for Senior Seminar.