RCHA Tuesday Morning Seminar Series, Rutgers University
Time: 11:00am, lunch to follow at 12:30pm
Location: RCHA Seminar Room, 88 College Avenue
Dear Colleagues,
Please read for next Tuesday: David Graeber, Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value: The False Coin of Our Own Dreams (Palgrave, 2001), chapter 2: "Current Directions in Exchange Theory" (pp. 23-47); and Simon Schaffer, "Golden Means: Assay Instruments and the Geography of Precision in the Guinea Trade," in Marie-Noelle Bourguet, et al, eds., Instruments, Travel and Science: Itineraries of Precision from the 17th to 20th Centuries (Routledge, 2002), pp. 20-44.
They are not long, but are slightly dense. They make handy theoretical and case-study discussions of the themes of exchange and value. I encourage everyone to think about how these themes can be useful in their own ongoing research. So in addition to theoretical reflection and empirical discussion, let's consider these readings a springboard for an open forum. Let's share and compare what might be practically useful about the themes of exchange and value in our own work, what methods and sources we might use to tackle them, and what is to be gained by thinking across different disciplines. So please come prepared to discuss.
Many thanks and see you next Tuesday!
James D
If you are planning to attend the seminar, copies of the paper can be requested by email: rcha@rci.rutgers.edu