Ethnographic Field School Teaching and Learning in the Face of Societal Transformation: An Example from Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

'Come to the street!' ('Vem pra rua!')  This has been one of the most powerful slogans of protest since Brazilians in large numbers have begun to take to the streets in 2013 to make a variety of statements about corruption and government policies. The beginning of this recent protest movement, which has extended to all corners of Brazil, coincided almost exactly with the start of an ethnographic field school the first author directed and in which the co-authors participated in Rio de Janeiro.  In this paper, we will discuss some of the unanticipated teaching and learning opportunities for anthropology students that came about as a result of these events.  We will also discuss the implications for a model of experiential learning and student anthropological fieldwork in study abroad.