Michael, Pr. Amy

Peshkova, Pr. Svetlana

English

University of New Hampshire

Spectrum
From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr.
Michael
Article 1
2019
From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr.
Michael
Pr. Svetlana Peshkova
s.peshkova@unh.edu
Pr. Amy Michael
amy.michael@unh.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Journals and Publications at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository.
It has been accepted for inclusion in Spectrum by an authorized editor of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information,
please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Peshkova, Pr. Svetlana and Michael, Pr. Amy (2019) "From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael," Spectrum: Vol. 8 :
Iss. 1 , Article 1.
Available at: https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum/vol8/iss1/1
 1 
From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael 
 
In this issue of Spectrum, we decided to showcase different examples of students’ work 
from the courses offered by the Anthropology Department at UNH. These examples include 
short films, art projects (a part of an autoethnographic exercise), reflection essays, research 
papers completed for various courses, and independent research projects by UNH students. There 
are seven elements that distinguish UNH Anthropology from other comparable New England 
schools and programs. Our department is undergraduate only and our teaching and research is 
centered directly on hands-on experience (e.g., fieldschools, research labs, and internships). 
Since we all are focused on local, national, and international public engagement (e.g., 
coursework, research and internship opportunities), every faculty member is actively engaged in 
creating and supporting students’ research and internship opportunities at all levels. Unlike other 
schools in NE, we offer in-depth studies of anthropology exclusively (i.e. not ANTH/Geography 
or ANTH/Sociology). Our courses are interdisciplinary in content following three main 
trajectories: archaeology, socio-cultural anthropology, biological/forensic anthropology.  
Because of our department size, approach, and location, we maintain inclusive and collaborative 
relationships among and between faculty members and students. All of these unique elements are 
exemplified by the variety of articles and the scope of projects in this issue.  
Although students who take anthropology courses may not major in the discipline, they 
come to understand an immediate relevance of anthropological perspectives to daily life, future 
careers, production of knowledge, and public education and engagement. In this issue, we follow 
a logical progression of the courses offered by the Department starting with introductory courses, 
1
Peshkova and Michael: From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael
Published by University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository, 2019
 2 
followed by method-based courses and seminars, and concluding with students’ original research 
projects supervised by our faculty members.  
The first section exemplifies a selection of six film-projects students produced in the 
introductory course (ANTH 411). 
 
I. Film Projects: Where Do You See Anthropology in Your Major/Career?  
The course ANTH 411 Introduction to Anthropology taught by Pr. Withers and Pr. 
Brouwer-Burg engages students in the study of anthropology, by focusing on how it is conducted 
and how it can be used in everyday life to address real world issues. In this semester-long film 
project, student groups were tasked with making a film that depicts confluences between 
anthropology and their major/career. In this way, students could see the relevance of 
anthropology in their own lives, and make connections between issues and topics important to 
them and those central to anthropology (e.g., ethnocentrism, cultural relativity, cultural 
sensitivity, fieldwork, identity, and intersectionality).  
 
Film 1. “An Anthropological Analysis of Paul College and Marketing” by Sean Brodeur, Julia 
Cassidy, Connor Cote, and Gwyn Donovan (Brouwer Burg Fall 2017) 
Film 2. “The Misread Email: Anthropology in Business” by Melissa Schwartz and Carter 
Bennett (Brouwer Burg Spring 2018) 
Film 3. “The Life of a Chemistry Major” by Sarah Lachapelle, Joseph Mancinelli, Matthew 
Currier, and Shawn Case (Brouwer Burg Fall 2017) 
Film 4. “Ethnocentrism Between Two Agricultural Majors” by Annie Ciampaglia, Hunter 
Farrell, Rachel Friedland, and Casey Sturzo (Brouwer Burg Spring 2018) 
2
Spectrum, Vol. 8 [2019], Iss. 1, Art. 1
https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum/vol8/iss1/1
 3 
Film 5. “Emic and Etic Perspectives on Information Technology” by Andrew Chorlian, Joseph 
Pilotte, and Anthony Rocchio (Brouwer Burg Fall 2019) 
Film 6. “Computer Science Life” by Parker Berberian, Sawyer Constantine, Connor Gill, Brett 
Hoerner, Matthew Reagan, and Chase Sanville (Brouwer Burg Fall 2019) 
Film 7: “Expressing Anthropology” by Julia Wertz, Amy Snyder, and Caitlin Staffanson 
(Withers Fall 2018) 
 
The second section demonstrates students’ training in ethnographic methods 
incorporating art-work (ANTH 513). 
 
II. An Autoethnographic Exercise: Deep-thinking, Art, and Contemplation in 
Anthropology 
The course ANTH 513 Ethnographic Methods taught by Pr. Peshkova introduces students 
to the variety of ethnographic methods, including participant-observation and interview, and 
deep-thinking. During the Fall 2018 semester, students were asked to complete an exercise 
combining deep-thinking about identity through practices of creativity and contemplation. One 
aim of the exercise was to help students achieve a compassionate and empathetic approach to 
research by overcoming and uniting their own fragmented identities. This seemingly simple 
exercise made students engage in deep-thinking about their selves and informed the way they 
think about and represent others.  
 
3
Peshkova and Michael: From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael
Published by University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository, 2019
 4 
The third section illustrates students’ application of anthropological theory and analysis 
to their personal experiences and social context, including their independent study and 
supervised research (ANTH 611, ANTH 697, ANTH 750, 785, ANTH 695).  
 
III. Essays and Research Papers 
Libraries Against Capitalism by Caitlin Burnett: This essay was written as an 
assignment for ANTH 611: History of Anthropological Theory taught by Pr. Sheriff. In the class, 
students were asked to find an example of an anti-capitalist institution and explain the ways that 
it intentionally or unintentionally worked against the norms and values of capitalism. The author 
analyzes public libraries as a challenge to capitalism.  
From Baghdad to Bedford: Conceptualizing Diasporas and Aslak through the 
framework of Iraqis in New Hampshire by Sarah Jarrar: This research paper was written for 
ANTH 697: (Special Topics) Migration taught by Pr. Withers. The author discusses the definition 
of “diaspora/ diasporic group” within the framework of exploring the shared experiences of 
Iraqis who migrated to New Hampshire and proposes a different way of understanding the term.  
Female Rap Artists in Palestine by Marianna Conserva: This research paper was 
written for the course ANTH 750: Islam and Gender taught by Pr. Peshkova. Focusing on female 
voice in the Middle East, Palestine specifically, the author summarizes the careers of several 
Palestinian female rap artists and argues that the limited public exposure these artists receive is a 
result of a lack of media coverage. In turn, the lack of coverage reflects an existing symbolic 
association of this genre with gender roles informed by local socio-cultural expectations. While 
creating and consuming hip-hop music has improved the opportunities of expression for 
4
Spectrum, Vol. 8 [2019], Iss. 1, Art. 1
https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum/vol8/iss1/1
 5 
marginalized women, there are still significant cultural barriers these artists face on a daily 
basis.  
The Importance of Muslim Fathers in America by Brady Silva: This research paper 
was written for the course ANTH 750: Islam and Gender taught by Pr. Peshkova. By choosing 
this topic, the author wanted to challenge her own views on gender and Islam. While recognizing 
an important role the author’s father plays in her life, Brady wanted to explore fatherhood cross-
culturally, by focusing on how fatherhood is constructed and enacted in Muslim families in the 
United States and elsewhere.  
Dreams and Dreaming by Alex Schoen: This essay was written for ANTH 785: 
Anthropology of Dreams and Dreaming taught by Pr. Sheriff.  In the course, students often used 
their dreams as a barometer of how they felt internally about their culture.  To complete one of 
the course assignments focusing on examining the material objects that appear in students’ 
dreams, the author selected fashion and clothing as such a material item to examine what this 
object could mean in the context of the dream as well as in waking life. This essay reviews the 
supposed sense of individuality some humans feel when wearing clothes and how this feeling 
manifested in a dream. 
Contentious Pathways: The Internationalization of UNH by Nicholas Davini: This 
research paper is the final product of the author’s independent study (ANTH 695: Reading and 
Research) with Pr. Withers. Combining documents from UNH and the Navitas company with 
articles from the Atlantic and Inside Higher Ed., the author traces a recent history of pathway 
programs at UNH and other universities in the US and offers important insights for further 
development of this endeavor at UNH.  
 
5
Peshkova and Michael: From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael
Published by University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository, 2019


From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael

UNH Scholars' Repository

SpectrumFrom the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr.MichaelArticle 12019From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr.MichaelPr. Svetlana Peshkovas.peshkova@unh.eduPr. Amy Michaelamy.michael@unh.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrumThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Journals and Publications at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository.It has been accepted for inclusion in Spectrum by an authorized editor of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information,please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationPeshkova, Pr. Svetlana and Michael, Pr. Amy (2019) "From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael," Spectrum: Vol. 8 :Iss. 1 , Article 1.Available at: https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum/vol8/iss1/1 1 From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael  In this issue of Spectrum, we decided to showcase different examples of students’ work from the courses offered by the Anthropology Department at UNH. These examples include short films, art projects (a part of an autoethnographic exercise), reflection essays, research papers completed for various courses, and independent research projects by UNH students. There are seven elements that distinguish UNH Anthropology from other comparable New England schools and programs. Our department is undergraduate only and our teaching and research is centered directly on hands-on experience (e.g., fieldschools, research labs, and internships). Since we all are focused on local, national, and international public engagement (e.g., coursework, research and internship opportunities), every faculty member is actively engaged in creating and supporting students’ research and internship opportunities at all levels. Unlike other schools in NE, we offer in-depth studies of anthropology exclusively (i.e. not ANTH/Geography or ANTH/Sociology). Our courses are interdisciplinary in content following three main trajectories: archaeology, socio-cultural anthropology, biological/forensic anthropology.  Because of our department size, approach, and location, we maintain inclusive and collaborative relationships among and between faculty members and students. All of these unique elements are exemplified by the variety of articles and the scope of projects in this issue.  Although students who take anthropology courses may not major in the discipline, they come to understand an immediate relevance of anthropological perspectives to daily life, future careers, production of knowledge, and public education and engagement. In this issue, we follow a logical progression of the courses offered by the Department starting with introductory courses, 1Peshkova and Michael: From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. MichaelPublished by University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository, 2019 2 followed by method-based courses and seminars, and concluding with students’ original research projects supervised by our faculty members.  The first section exemplifies a selection of six film-projects students produced in the introductory course (ANTH 411).  I. Film Projects: Where Do You See Anthropology in Your Major/Career?  The course ANTH 411 Introduction to Anthropology taught by Pr. Withers and Pr. Brouwer-Burg engages students in the study of anthropology, by focusing on how it is conducted and how it can be used in everyday life to address real world issues. In this semester-long film project, student groups were tasked with making a film that depicts confluences between anthropology and their major/career. In this way, students could see the relevance of anthropology in their own lives, and make connections between issues and topics important to them and those central to anthropology (e.g., ethnocentrism, cultural relativity, cultural sensitivity, fieldwork, identity, and intersectionality).   Film 1. “An Anthropological Analysis of Paul College and Marketing” by Sean Brodeur, Julia Cassidy, Connor Cote, and Gwyn Donovan (Brouwer Burg Fall 2017) Film 2. “The Misread Email: Anthropology in Business” by Melissa Schwartz and Carter Bennett (Brouwer Burg Spring 2018) Film 3. “The Life of a Chemistry Major” by Sarah Lachapelle, Joseph Mancinelli, Matthew Currier, and Shawn Case (Brouwer Burg Fall 2017) Film 4. “Ethnocentrism Between Two Agricultural Majors” by Annie Ciampaglia, Hunter Farrell, Rachel Friedland, and Casey Sturzo (Brouwer Burg Spring 2018) 2Spectrum, Vol. 8 [2019], Iss. 1, Art. 1https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum/vol8/iss1/1 3 Film 5. “Emic and Etic Perspectives on Information Technology” by Andrew Chorlian, Joseph Pilotte, and Anthony Rocchio (Brouwer Burg Fall 2019) Film 6. “Computer Science Life” by Parker Berberian, Sawyer Constantine, Connor Gill, Brett Hoerner, Matthew Reagan, and Chase Sanville (Brouwer Burg Fall 2019) Film 7: “Expressing Anthropology” by Julia Wertz, Amy Snyder, and Caitlin Staffanson (Withers Fall 2018)  The second section demonstrates students’ training in ethnographic methods incorporating art-work (ANTH 513).  II. An Autoethnographic Exercise: Deep-thinking, Art, and Contemplation in Anthropology The course ANTH 513 Ethnographic Methods taught by Pr. Peshkova introduces students to the variety of ethnographic methods, including participant-observation and interview, and deep-thinking. During the Fall 2018 semester, students were asked to complete an exercise combining deep-thinking about identity through practices of creativity and contemplation. One aim of the exercise was to help students achieve a compassionate and empathetic approach to research by overcoming and uniting their own fragmented identities. This seemingly simple exercise made students engage in deep-thinking about their selves and informed the way they think about and represent others.   3Peshkova and Michael: From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. MichaelPublished by University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository, 2019 4 The third section illustrates students’ application of anthropological theory and analysis to their personal experiences and social context, including their independent study and supervised research (ANTH 611, ANTH 697, ANTH 750, 785, ANTH 695).   III. Essays and Research Papers Libraries Against Capitalism by Caitlin Burnett: This essay was written as an assignment for ANTH 611: History of Anthropological Theory taught by Pr. Sheriff. In the class, students were asked to find an example of an anti-capitalist institution and explain the ways that it intentionally or unintentionally worked against the norms and values of capitalism. The author analyzes public libraries as a challenge to capitalism.  From Baghdad to Bedford: Conceptualizing Diasporas and Aslak through the framework of Iraqis in New Hampshire by Sarah Jarrar: This research paper was written for ANTH 697: (Special Topics) Migration taught by Pr. Withers. The author discusses the definition of “diaspora/ diasporic group” within the framework of exploring the shared experiences of Iraqis who migrated to New Hampshire and proposes a different way of understanding the term.  Female Rap Artists in Palestine by Marianna Conserva: This research paper was written for the course ANTH 750: Islam and Gender taught by Pr. Peshkova. Focusing on female voice in the Middle East, Palestine specifically, the author summarizes the careers of several Palestinian female rap artists and argues that the limited public exposure these artists receive is a result of a lack of media coverage. In turn, the lack of coverage reflects an existing symbolic association of this genre with gender roles informed by local socio-cultural expectations. While creating and consuming hip-hop music has improved the opportunities of expression for 4Spectrum, Vol. 8 [2019], Iss. 1, Art. 1https://scholars.unh.edu/spectrum/vol8/iss1/1 5 marginalized women, there are still significant cultural barriers these artists face on a daily basis.  The Importance of Muslim Fathers in America by Brady Silva: This research paper was written for the course ANTH 750: Islam and Gender taught by Pr. Peshkova. By choosing this topic, the author wanted to challenge her own views on gender and Islam. While recognizing an important role the author’s father plays in her life, Brady wanted to explore fatherhood cross-culturally, by focusing on how fatherhood is constructed and enacted in Muslim families in the United States and elsewhere.  Dreams and Dreaming by Alex Schoen: This essay was written for ANTH 785: Anthropology of Dreams and Dreaming taught by Pr. Sheriff.  In the course, students often used their dreams as a barometer of how they felt internally about their culture.  To complete one of the course assignments focusing on examining the material objects that appear in students’ dreams, the author selected fashion and clothing as such a material item to examine what this object could mean in the context of the dream as well as in waking life. This essay reviews the supposed sense of individuality some humans feel when wearing clothes and how this feeling manifested in a dream. Contentious Pathways: The Internationalization of UNH by Nicholas Davini: This research paper is the final product of the author’s independent study (ANTH 695: Reading and Research) with Pr. Withers. Combining documents from UNH and the Navitas company with articles from the Atlantic and Inside Higher Ed., the author traces a recent history of pathway programs at UNH and other universities in the US and offers important insights for further development of this endeavor at UNH.   5Peshkova and Michael: From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. MichaelPublished by University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository, 2019

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From the Desk of Co-editors: Pr. Peshkova and Pr. Michael

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