Sherry Ortner facts for kids
Sherry Beth Ortner was born on September 19, 1941. She is an American cultural anthropologist. This means she studies human cultures and societies. Since 2004, she has been a special professor of anthropology at UCLA.
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About Sherry Ortner
Sherry Ortner grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She went to Weequahic High School there. Later, she went to Bryn Mawr College.
She then studied anthropology at the University of Chicago. In 1970, she earned her Ph.D. This is a very high degree. For her studies, she lived and worked with the Sherpas people in Nepal. This is called "fieldwork."
Ortner has taught at many universities. These include the University of Michigan and Columbia University. She also taught at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Studying the Sherpas
Sherry Ortner spent a lot of time with the Sherpas. They live in the Himalayas in Nepal. She studied their religion and how they organize their communities. She also learned about their role in mountain climbing on peaks like Mount Everest.
Her book about the Sherpas is called Life and Death on Mt. Everest. It won an award in 2004. This award was for the best anthropology book of the year.
Later Research
In the early 1990s, Ortner started studying the United States. She looked at how "social class" works in America. She even studied her own high school classmates.
Her more recent work looks at Hollywood films. She explores how these movies connect with American culture. She also writes a lot about cultural ideas and how they relate to women's studies.
Awards and Recognition
Sherry Ortner has received important awards. In 1990, she won a MacArthur "Genius" grant. This award helps talented people continue their important work.
In 1992, she became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also received the Retzius Medal. This is a special award from Sweden for anthropology.
How She Thinks About Culture
Sherry Ortner is known for her ideas on "practice theory." This way of thinking looks at how people act within their society. She believes that people are not just following rules. Instead, they play "serious games" within their culture.
She thinks that people can resist or change things in their society. Even though there are rules, people can choose to break them. When they do, it can lead to changes in the rules or in society itself. Ortner focuses on how people can challenge and transform their world.
Important Books
Sherry Ortner has written many important books and articles. Here are some of them:
- (1978) Sherpas through their Rituals. This book explores Sherpa customs.
- (1989) High Religion: A Cultural and Political History of Sherpa Buddhism. This book looks at Sherpa religion and history.
- (1999) Life and Death on Mount Everest: Sherpas and Himalayan Mountaineering. This book is about the Sherpas and their role in climbing Mount Everest.
- (2003) New Jersey Dreaming: Capital, Culture, and the Class of '58. This book is about social class in the United States.
- (2013) Not Hollywood: Independent Film at the Twilight of the American Dream. This book explores independent movies and American culture.
See also
In Spanish: Sherry Ortner para niños
