In his essay “Apartheid’s Anthropologists: The Genealogy of Afrikaner Anthropology,” Robert Gordon argues that the limitations and abuses of Volkekunde must be understood in terms of the social context in which volkekundiges were producing knowledge. As male Afrikaner intellectuals at apartheid-supporting universities, these scholars tended to be isolated, and to isolate themselves, from the lives of those whom they were studying and the ideas exchanged outside a narrow sub-field of their discipline. Write an essay of 1500 words in which you: a.) Summarise Gordon’s argument and from his article ( apartheid's anthropologists: the genealogy of Afrikaner anthropology) where colonisation is still present and apartheid and also in regard to issues that have been reported online and b.) Analyse how that argument may pertain to decolonising social science at the university i am currently in- UFS and other South African universities today. Form an academic essay of 1500 words from this consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. The whole essay should be about and relate to Gordon's argument

Question

In his essay “Apartheid’s Anthropologists: The Genealogy of Afrikaner Anthropology,” Robert Gordon argues that the limitations and abuses of Volkekunde must be understood in terms of the social context in which volkekundiges were producing knowledge. As male Afrikaner intellectuals at apartheid-supporting universities, these scholars tended to be isolated, and to isolate themselves, from the lives of those whom they were studying and the ideas exchanged outside a narrow sub-field of their discipline. Write an essay of 1500 words in which you: a.) Summarise Gordon’s argument and from his article ( apartheid's anthropologists: the genealogy of Afrikaner anthropology) where colonisation is still present and apartheid and also in regard to issues that have been reported online and b.) Analyse how that argument may pertain to decolonising social science at the university i am currently in- UFS and other South African universities today. Form an academic essay of 1500 words from this consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. The whole essay should be about and relate to Gordon's argument

Answer 1

In his essay “Apartheid’s Anthropologists: The Genealogy of Afrikaner Anthropology,” Robert Gordon explores the limitations and abuses of volkekunde in the context of apartheid-era South Africa. Gordon argues that the production of knowledge in volkekunde must be understood within the social and political context in which it was created. He highlights how the male Afrikaner intellectuals who dominated the field tended to isolate themselves from the lives of the people they studied, and from broader intellectual currents outside their narrow discipline. This isolation contributed to the perpetuation of colonial attitudes and the reinforcement of apartheid ideology.

Gordon's argument is particularly relevant in the South African context, where the legacy of colonisation and apartheid continues to impact society today. The remnants of these systems are still present in various aspects of social science research and education in the country. Issues related to race, gender, and power dynamics persist in academic institutions, shaping the way knowledge is produced and disseminated.

Furthermore, recent reports have highlighted ongoing challenges related to decolonising social science in South African universities. The University of the Free State (UFS) and other institutions have faced criticism for their failure to adequately address issues of coloniality and systemic inequality in their curriculum and research practices. In many cases, the voices and perspectives of historically marginalised groups are still sidelined, and dominant narratives that uphold colonial structures continue to prevail.

To decolonise social science at UFS and other South African universities, it is crucial to address the legacy of apartheid and colonisation that continues to shape academic practices. This process requires a re-evaluation of the knowledge production process, as well as a commitment to bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the forefront. By challenging the dominant paradigms and hierarchies within social science disciplines, universities can create a more inclusive and equitable academic environment that reflects the complexity and diversity of South African society.

In conclusion, Robert Gordon's argument in “Apartheid’s Anthropologists: The Genealogy of Afrikaner Anthropology” provides valuable insights into the challenges of decolonising social science in South African universities. By recognising the historical context in which knowledge is produced and the ways in which colonial attitudes persist, institutions like UFS can work towards a more just and inclusive academic environment. Through a commitment to diverse perspectives and a willingness to challenge entrenched power structures, social science disciplines can move towards a decolonised future that reflects the rich diversity of South African society.