Field Notes from the Crumbling Ivory Tower

Gone is the era of academic neutrality as American culture continues to grow and ride the turbulent waters of its political societal pillars. The saying “leave your baggage at the door” is not only incredibly outdated, but for anthropology students at UM it is impossible. The worries and curiosities of our students do not inexplicably stop when they open the doors to the social science building. Their concerns follow them not only into the classroom, but into their career prospects as well. Anthropology classes do not have the luxury of neutrality that other disciplines like mathematics, chemistry, and physics are allowed. Through the method of participant observation, I discovered that the lack of acknowledgement for academic reliance on politics, creates distinct rifts within the classroom regardless of whoever sits in the Oval Office. As the different aspects of the political world become darker and more restrictive, anthropology students are becoming increasingly disengaged with their lectures. Instead of the usual frantic completing of homework for other classes, many students are searching the web for answers to current events. Can anthropology truly claim “academic neutrality” when its very foundations of study can be on the chopping block every four years?