Sample interview questions: Can you provide an example of a project where you had to navigate tensions between the academic standards of evidence and the validity of indigenous oral traditions?
Sample answer:
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Project: Research on the oral traditions of the Lakota people of South Dakota.
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Objective: To document and analyze the Lakota oral traditions, including their history, culture, and religious beliefs.
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Methodology:
- Conducted extensive interviews with Lakota elders and community members.
- Collected and analyzed written records, such as historical documents and ethnographies.
- Conducted archaeological excavations to corroborate the oral traditions.
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Challenges:
- Academic standards of evidence: The academic community often requires written evidence to support historical claims. However, the Lakota people have a strong oral tradition and do not have a written history.
- Validity of indigenous oral traditions: Some scholars question the validity of indigenous oral traditions, arguing that they are unreliable and subject to distortion over time.
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Strategies for navigating tensions:
- Collaboration with Lakota community members: I worked closely with Lakota elders and community members throughout the project. This allowed me to gain a deep understanding of their culture and perspective, and to ensure that my research was r… Read full answer