Feminism and Postmodernism?

Question

Can anyone simplify feminism and postmodernism in terms of cultural anthropology please?

Answer 1

In an instance of how women specifically function within a culture, post-modern perspective would encourage focused study of the women within the society, in addition openly stating the authors gender, methods of study, etc., something the old-school methodology would strive to eliminate or conceal as a result of a perceived bias in the data. However post-modernist would counter that the bias exists already, and thus should be stated openly. So, if a feminist anthropologist, for instance was studying a culture, he/she would incorporate this fact into their work. The old school academia considers this lacking in scientific method, and a bit like "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" by the post-modernists rationalization: If any aspect is unproven, and or nonobjective, then all the data should simply be subjective.

Answer 2

Postmodernism - No, this can not be simplified.  Simplification is, to a post-modernist, an act of violence.  Postmodernism more often takes the form of critique and juxtaposes itself to modernity while simultaneously using modernity's own criteria and rules to deconstruct it.  This is not a simplification, just an example of one aspect of postmodernism.  There are as many ways to do postmodernism as there are postmodernists, however.  

Feminist anthropology - your best bet is to read some of Sherry Ortner's work.  She often anthologizes feminist anthropologists' ideas and makes the ideas crystal clear.  The most basic (but by no means the most important point) point is often that gender bias has had an enormous effect on the products of anthropological thought - both because of male anthropological tropes and female ones.  

Both rely heavily on Marxian/Marxist critical theory.  If you want to look into that, and the historical connection, type "Frankfort School" into a search engine and settle in for a long, complicated ride.

Sorry, but there is no simple easy answer to any of this.