Paul Shankman of the University of Colorado at Boulder will speak at Elon on Wednesday, Sept. 15, about the Margaret Mead controversy.
In his critically acclaimed essay The Trashing of Margaret Mead: Anatomy of an Anthropological Controversy, Shankman reviews Derek Freeman’s deliberate and personal attempt to ruin renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead’s reputation.
Shankman refutes Freeman’s claims, that Mead was “hoaxed” by Samoans and that her fieldwork was disastrous, restoring Mead’s status as one of the foremost scientists, anthropologists and thinkers of the 20th century.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology, as well as the Program in Ethnographic Research and Community Studies, hopes that many students will take advantage of the opportunity to come hear Shankman speak.
This event will be held in Whitley Auditorium from 7-8 p.m.