1.Fernea suggests that fieldwork is potentially very disturbing. Why is that? How do fieldworkers deal with this dimension of fieldwork?
2.How does Fernea describe his relations with his research subjects and informants? Do you see anything problematic in this relationship?
3.What does Fernea mean by “studying up”? Why do you think this is relatively rare in anthropology? Can you give an example on how you might “study up”?
4.Fernea briefly touches on the notion of power relations in the field. Briefly outline this argument. What does this suggest to you about potential problematic dimensions of anthropological fieldwork?
5.What is the most important lesson you learned about fieldwork and cultural anthropology from this article?
Claire E. Sterk, “Tricking and Tripping: Fieldwork on Prostitution in the Era of Aids.
1.How did Sterk go about initiating her fieldwork? How did she gradually begin to build trust with her research subjects?
2.Why do you think the women Sterk studied agreed to her research project?
3.Why is Sterk’s study valuable to upstanding, law-abiding citizens such as ourselves?
4.Identify and discuss one of the moral dilemmas Sterk faced in her fieldwork.
5.Briefly describe the men and women Sterk encountered in her study.
- In what ways does Sterk demonstrate “reflexivity”?
7.What is the most important lesson you learned about fieldwork and cultural anthropology from this article?
Sample Solution