Gender, Environment and Development in Honduras: An Applied Anthropology Internship

Abstract

In my very first semester as an applied anthropology graduate student at the University of Maryland, I was asked to define my ‘domain’ within anthropology. Choosing my domain was a difficult, but rewarding, process. First I had to gather my various life experiences and interests and mold them into a cohesive theme. I was able to accomplish this by combining my intense intellectual curiosity for human gender relations, previous course work in development anthropology, and unwavering dedication to environmentalism. Then I had the challenging task of researching ways in which others had addressed similar issues by conducting a thorough literature search on each aspect of my domain and the combinations thereof. Backed by a distinct body of literature, this domain—gender, environment, and development—thus became the backbone of my ensuing course work and internship. When I finally had a finished product, I realized how establishing and writing my domain forced me to take a critical look at these issues in order to find personal connections and meanings. Since then, I have further clarified and expanded my domain to develop a toolbox of skills and knowledge that I will use in my career as a practicing anthropologist.