Anthropology of Our Times

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xix

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2. Anthropological Publics, Public Anthropology: An Introduction

   • Sindre Bangstad

   Pages 1-27

3. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad and Kristian Berg Harpviken About Lived Islam in the Frontier Regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. House of Literature, April 28, 2011

   • Magnus Marsden

   Pages 29-50

4. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad and Knut G. Nustad About Anthropology, Hate Speech and Incitement to Commit Genocide. House of Literature, May 14, 2013

   • Richard Ashby Wilson

   Pages 51-72

5. In Conversation with Marit Melhuus and Benedicte Bull About Life and Death in Mexico. House of Literature, September 26, 2013

   • Claudio Lomnitz

   Pages 73-92

6. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad and Bjørn E. Bertelsen About Anthropology, the Cold War and the “War on Terror”. House of Literature, May 20, 2014

   • David H. Price

   Pages 93-108

7. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad and Paul Wenzel Geissler About Anthropology’s Great Expectations. Conducted via E-Mail Correspondence in October/November 2016.

   • Didier Fassin

   Pages 109-130

8. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad About Migrants, Illegality and the Bordering of Europe. Conducted via E-Mail Correspondence in September 2016.

   • Ruben Andersson

   Pages 131-147

9. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad and Karin Kapadia. Conducted via E-Mail Correspondence in October/November 2016

   • Parvis Ghassem-Fachandi

   Pages 149-182

10. In Conversation with Sindre Bangstad About the Anthropology of Politics, Neoliberalism and Satire. Conducted via E-Mail Correspondence, November/December 2016

    • Angelique Haugerud

    Pages 183-207

11. Back Matter

    Pages 209-216

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This anthology represents the culmination of a series of public discussions with some of the leading international anthropologists of today —organized by the editor, Sindre Bangstad—at the House of Literature in Oslo, Norway. Thus, it provides fresh and original insights into the lives and work of these leading scholars. It features conversations with Didier Fassin, Angelique Haugerud, Ruben Andersson, Claudio Lomnitz, David Price, Magnus Marsden, Richard Ashby Wilson, and Parvis Ghassem-Fachandi, in addition to an introduction by Sindre Bangstad and a preface by Thomas Hylland Eriksen. 

• Public anthropology
• South Africa
• Norway
• War On Terror
• Apartheid
• Counter-Insurgency
• Islamic Law
• Cosmopolitanism
• Policing
• Prisons
• Charlie Hebdo
• anthropology
• social science

“‘Anthropology of Our Times’ is a case in point. Bangstad was drawn to anthropology as an undergraduate in 1990s Norway by anthropologists’ prominence as public commentators. … Anthropologists-in-training and seasoned scholars alike will find both encouragement and direction in its pages.” (Robin Whitaker, Anthropos, Issue 113, 2018) “This book demonstrates the breadth and depth of moral engagement in anthropology. In doing so, it shows that the value of opinion is rather limited unless backed by knowledge, and that the kind of high-octane knowledge anthropology offers at its best is unbeatable when coupled with strong humanistic moral engagement.” (Thomas Hylland Eriksen, University of Oslo, Norway)

“This sparkling collection combines two important tasks. On one hand, it advances arguments within anthropology as to how to bring our knowledge to bear on issues of pressing political importance. At the same time, it provides vivid case studies of the very best uses of anthropological methods to illuminate a range of issues. The result is a book that serves as an accessible introduction to anthropology’s unique insights, as well as a book to excite and stimulate students, teachers, and practitioners.” (Jonathan Spencer, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, UK)

“Sindre Bangstad is one of anthropology’s most vital voices. Along with the contributors to this important volume, he is paving the way to a truly engaged and relevant anthropology.” (Matti Bunzl, Director, Wien Museum, Austria)

• KIFO, Institute For Church, Religion and Worldview Research, Vinderen, Norway

  Sindre Bangstad

Sindre Bangstad is a social anthropologist and researcher at KIFO, the Institute for the Church, Religion, and Worldview Research in Oslo, Norway. Bangstad has undertaken ethnographic research in Norway and South Africa, and is the author of Anders Breivik and the Rise of Islamophobia (2014) and The Politics of Mediated Presence: Exploring the Voices of Muslims in Norway’s Mediated Public Spheres (2015).

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Policies and ethics