Points of View | On Culture
 

In this new series sponsored by Tracie Jones, MIT SHASS Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, faculty and staff in MIT's humanistic fields will be sharing ideas, stories, and research-based commentary on the nature of culture and their experiences as part of the MIT community.

We are honored that the inaugural commentary for the series is from Heather Paxson, the Wm Kenan Jr. Professor of Anthropology, head of MIT Anthropology, and a MacVicar Faculty Fellow. In this initial commentary, Professor Paxson provides some foundational thinking about how her field of anthropology — the scientific study of humanity, including societies, behavior, cultural meaning, norms, and values — understands the concept of culture. 

 


                                              CONTRIBUTIONS

IN THE CLASSROOM

Reading Poety: Social Poetics

This new Literature course was designed with an emphasis on Black U.S. poets, part of a group historically barred from literacy and many forms of ownership and belonging

Portrait of MIT Professor Heather Paxson

POINTS OF VIEW | ON CULTURE

Culture is a meaning-making practice
Heather Paxson, Wm. Kenan Jr. Professor of Anthropology
 

"Anthropologists originated the modern understanding of 'culture,' as describing a shared field of beliefs, values, and habituated ways of behaving that give meaning to daily life. What does anthropology have to say about “MIT culture”?

portrait of MIT historian Sana Aiyar

IN THE CLASSROOM | ON CULTURE

History Lab: 21H.S04

History class led by Associate Professor Sana Aiyar delves into South Asian experience at MIT via oral histories and the Institute Archives / Distinctive Collections

lmage of interconnected network

POINTS OF VIEW | ON CULTURE

Forthcoming commentaries for the series
 

Perspectives from members of the MIT SHASS Community.