Identify your research environment and provide a specific example of name, culture, or agency. Explain why fieldwork is essential to the goals of anthropology. Examine a fieldwork method(s) you can use to understand your research environment and to fully understand the culture/group. Make sure to apply it to the specific example you have chosen. Identify if and how your research results could be used to make changes, improvements, or modifications within the cultural/agency you chose.

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Formation of social actions in society

Objective:
After completing this assignment, you will be able to explain the development of ideas pertaining to formation of social actions in society.

Connection to Module Objectives:
This assignment measures the module objective; you will be able to:

Describe the key concepts and components of fieldwork methods used to understand cultural behavior;
Demonstrate the validity of qualitative data used by researchers to explain their fieldwork results.
Points possible: 25

STEPS:
Watch Video

Review The Land of No Men: Inside Kenya’s Women-Only Village: Where the foothills of Mount Kenya merge into the desert, the people of Samburu have maintained a strict patriarchy for over 500 years in northern Kenya. That is, until 25 years ago, when Rebecca Lolosoli founded Umoja village as a safe haven for the region’s women. Umoja, which means “unity” in Swahili, is quite literally a no man’s land, and the matriarchal refuge is now home to the Samburu women who no longer want to suffer abuses, like genital mutilation and forced marriages, at the hands of men. Throughout the years, it has also empowered other women in the districts surrounding Samburu to start their own men-excluding villages. Broadly visited Umoja and the villages it inspired to meet with the women who were fed up with living in a violent patriarchy.

Read & Review Info (attached in file)
-Visit the What is Fieldwork? to learn about cultural anthropology fieldwork methods.
-Visit Ethnography to learn about this fieldwork technique used by cultural anthropologists.

Choose a Research Environment
Choose one research environment. Provide an example from one of these environments through your research and interest (tribe, group, community agencies, organization, institution, etc.):

urban environment
virtual environment
small tribal community
museum
library
cultural institution
business
military
cult
other (of your choice)

Answer Focus Questions:
Answer the following questions regarding how you, as a Cultural Anthropology, would use anthropological fieldwork methods within your research environment:

-Identify your research environment and provide a specific example of name, culture, or agency.
-Explain why fieldwork is essential to the goals of anthropology.
-Examine a fieldwork method(s) you can use to understand your research environment and to fully understand the culture/group. Make sure to apply it to the specific example you have chosen.
-Identify if and how your research results could be used to make changes, improvements, or modifications within the cultural/agency you chose.

Learn & Share
Write an Essay (25 sentences plus reference) – Note the research environment (i.e. Business) at the top of the page.

Grading
Appropriately and adequately provided the submission requirement.
Provided a reference.

What are the learned, shared, ideas and patterns of behavior of this community? What did you learn about this community through your observations and interviews? What are key beliefs, dynamics, and/or interactions in this community? What did you learn about this group? What additional questions do you still have for the community? What ideas do you have for continued study of this community?

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Anth 206 Final Project Option 2 Mini-Ethnography

BACKGROUND:
Ethnographic research is one of the hallmarks of Anthropology. For your final project you will try your hand at primary research on a particular group, community, or subculture. Through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, you will collect qualitative data of your group of choice. This assignment is intended to develop your skills of observation, interviewing, and anthropological analysis. Traditionally ethnographic research is conducted over years, however, for our class we will complete our studies in a matter of weeks. Final Assignment Due: JUNE 12th

STEP 1: SELECT A COMMUNITY TO OBSERVE
Important Note:
This community needs to be one to which you are not a regular participant or member, but you are welcome to select a community to which a family member or friend might belong.
Some Examples of Communities you might select: Online Gaming Communities, Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops, Farms, Farmers Market, Self-Help Groups, Firefighter Houses, Church Groups, Internet forums, Theatre Troupes, Exercise Groups (e.g, Yoga studio, Cross-fit gym, etc.), Barber Shop, Salon…
and many, many more.

Important Consideration:
You must be able to access the community to complete your observations and interviews (i.e. ability to complete the assignment on time). So consider this factor in your selection process. The community must be willing and open to having you observe/ visit AND you must be able to do so in our time for the class project. Remember there are many restrictions introduced by Covid-19 and you need to consider those when selecting a community to observe. SELECTION DUE: MAY 1 (At the end of Module 2)

STEP 2: DEVELOP A RESEARCH PLAN
Turn in responses to the following:
1. Which community will be the focus of your research?
2. What event(s) will you observe (min. 2 hours of observation total) and whom you will interview (Min. 2 individuals)?
3. Obtain informed consent from your interviewees (See Informed Consent form)
4. Create a list of question to ask during your interviews.

ARTICLE SUMMARY DUE: MAY 22 (At the end of Module 3)

STEP 3: CONDUCT RESEARCH
Conduct Participant Observation for a minimum of 2 hours (these do not all need to be at the same time). Be sure to take field notes.
You want to pay attention to what is most interesting about this community and how these individuals interact with each other. Do certain people have different roles or different power (is someone in charge)? Do certain individuals interact with each other or some individuals not interact with others? Notice what is interesting about this community and the way community members interact with each other – Attempt to understand how the people you’re observing view their world. This means you must observe closely, take profuse notes, and distance yourself from the site you’re observing. Remember: you are an observer, not a participant.
Conduct at least 2 Interviews with participants of the culture group. You need to develop a list of questions and ask those questions to your interviewees.
Required: Permission to observe and Informed Consent from each interviewee

STEP 4: DISSEMINATION
FINAL ASSIGNMENT DUE: MARCH 17th (At the end of Module 4)
FORMAT OPTIONS: Formal Paper, Zine, Documentary, PowerPoint or Prezi
Presentation
Note: I’m including rough minimum lengths for each section for a paper format. If you select a different format, be sure that approximately that much equivalent time/effort is spent on each section.

Whatever format your final project takes, you will need to include thorough descriptions of the following information:
1. Description of the community you have selected and why you chose that community. (min. 2-3 paragraphs)

2. Key observations of the events/ activity. Describe the event or activity you observed. Include a map/ drawing of the layout of the location, description of people involved and their roles, observations from the events/ activity itself, descriptions of any objects, clothing, or special items used in the event. (min. 2-3 paragraphs)

3. Analysis: Cultures are based on learned, shared, ideas and patterns of behavior.
What are the learned, shared, ideas and patterns of behavior of this community?
What did you learn about this community through your observations and interviews?
What are key beliefs, dynamics, and/or interactions in this community? (min 2-3 paragraphs)

4. Summary: What did you learn about this group? What additional questions do you still have for the community? What ideas do you have for continued study of this community? (min. 1-2 paragraphs)

Submit your final project to the appropriate activity in Canvas. Please include documentation of informed consent and acknowledgements of those who have helped you complete this project.

What are the learned, shared, ideas and patterns of behavior of this community? What did you learn about this community through your observations and interviews? What are key beliefs, dynamics, and/or interactions in this community? What did you learn about this group? What additional questions do you still have for the community? What ideas do you have for continued study of this community?

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Anth 206 Final Project Option 2 Mini-Ethnography

BACKGROUND:
Ethnographic research is one of the hallmarks of Anthropology. For your final project you will try your hand at primary research on a particular group, community, or subculture. Through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, you will collect qualitative data of your group of choice. This assignment is intended to develop your skills of observation, interviewing, and anthropological analysis. Traditionally ethnographic research is conducted over years, however, for our class we will complete our studies in a matter of weeks. Final Assignment Due: JUNE 12th

STEP 1: SELECT A COMMUNITY TO OBSERVE
Important Note:
This community needs to be one to which you are not a regular participant or member, but you are welcome to select a community to which a family member or friend might belong.
Some Examples of Communities you might select: Online Gaming Communities, Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops, Farms, Farmers Market, Self-Help Groups, Firefighter Houses, Church Groups, Internet forums, Theatre Troupes, Exercise Groups (e.g, Yoga studio, Cross-fit gym, etc.), Barber Shop, Salon…
and many, many more.

Important Consideration:
You must be able to access the community to complete your observations and interviews (i.e. ability to complete the assignment on time). So consider this factor in your selection process. The community must be willing and open to having you observe/ visit AND you must be able to do so in our time for the class project. Remember there are many restrictions introduced by Covid-19 and you need to consider those when selecting a community to observe. SELECTION DUE: MAY 1 (At the end of Module 2)

STEP 2: DEVELOP A RESEARCH PLAN
Turn in responses to the following:
1. Which community will be the focus of your research?
2. What event(s) will you observe (min. 2 hours of observation total) and whom you will interview (Min. 2 individuals)?
3. Obtain informed consent from your interviewees (See Informed Consent form)
4. Create a list of question to ask during your interviews.

ARTICLE SUMMARY DUE: MAY 22 (At the end of Module 3)

STEP 3: CONDUCT RESEARCH
Conduct Participant Observation for a minimum of 2 hours (these do not all need to be at the same time). Be sure to take field notes.
You want to pay attention to what is most interesting about this community and how these individuals interact with each other. Do certain people have different roles or different power (is someone in charge)? Do certain individuals interact with each other or some individuals not interact with others? Notice what is interesting about this community and the way community members interact with each other – Attempt to understand how the people you’re observing view their world. This means you must observe closely, take profuse notes, and distance yourself from the site you’re observing. Remember: you are an observer, not a participant.
Conduct at least 2 Interviews with participants of the culture group. You need to develop a list of questions and ask those questions to your interviewees.
Required: Permission to observe and Informed Consent from each interviewee

STEP 4: DISSEMINATION
FINAL ASSIGNMENT DUE: MARCH 17th (At the end of Module 4)
FORMAT OPTIONS: Formal Paper, Zine, Documentary, PowerPoint or Prezi
Presentation
Note: I’m including rough minimum lengths for each section for a paper format. If you select a different format, be sure that approximately that much equivalent time/effort is spent on each section.

Whatever format your final project takes, you will need to include thorough descriptions of the following information:
1. Description of the community you have selected and why you chose that community. (min. 2-3 paragraphs)

2. Key observations of the events/ activity. Describe the event or activity you observed. Include a map/ drawing of the layout of the location, description of people involved and their roles, observations from the events/ activity itself, descriptions of any objects, clothing, or special items used in the event. (min. 2-3 paragraphs)

3. Analysis: Cultures are based on learned, shared, ideas and patterns of behavior.
What are the learned, shared, ideas and patterns of behavior of this community?
What did you learn about this community through your observations and interviews?
What are key beliefs, dynamics, and/or interactions in this community? (min 2-3 paragraphs)

4. Summary: What did you learn about this group? What additional questions do you still have for the community? What ideas do you have for continued study of this community? (min. 1-2 paragraphs)

Submit your final project to the appropriate activity in Canvas. Please include documentation of informed consent and acknowledgements of those who have helped you complete this project.

Write an essay talking about Christianity’s doctrine, history, and beliefs; the regime, history, and policies of china; beliefs and thoughts about religions of the Chinese; why Buddhism is larger in China.

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Why Christianity can not flourish in china.

Write an essay talking about Christianity’s doctrine, history, and beliefs; the regime, history, and policies of china; beliefs and thoughts about religions of the Chinese; why Buddhism is larger in China.

Describe the topic area and the facts surrounding Chapters 7 of Our Punitive Society. Analyze at least two issues that anthropologists would point to regarding the cultural invention/construction/creation of the topic described in the chapter.

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Prompt #2 FINAL EXAM

Use Chapter 7 of Our Punitive Society (2021) to articulate the fact that legal systems and standards are culturally constructed/invented and change or don’t change based on cultural beliefs: the writing of laws, implementation of laws, and the roles of legal professionals. Culture is powerful. Some say, “culture wins every time.”

Fully describe the topic area and the facts surrounding Chapters 7 of Our Punitive Society.
Fully analyze at least two issues that anthropologists would point to regarding the cultural invention/construction/creation of the topic described in the chapter. Be sure that you give at least one example for each issue that you explain.

What drove ancient peoples to build monuments? Are there consistencies in what kinds of societies create monuments, or is it variable? How does monument construction relate to power, social hierarchy, and inequality? Does monument construction appear to be tied to certain systems of subsistence? Why or why not? How do monuments relate to religious ritual, the relative power of states, and kings and queens of the ancient world?

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Monuments

Perhaps the most recognizable archaeological features around the world are monuments. For this essay, you will explore monuments and the roles they played in the cultural dynamics of ancient societies. First, you should define monuments, and consistently apply that definition throughout your essay. Second, you should formulate a cohesive thesis that makes an argument regarding the circumstances under which monumentality emerged in the ancient world.

You may want to consider some combination of these questions in the formulation of your thesis: what drove ancient peoples to build monuments? Are there consistencies in what kinds of societies create monuments, or is it variable? How does monument construction relate to power, social hierarchy, and inequality? Does monument construction appear to be tied to certain systems of subsistence? Why or why not? How do monuments relate to religious ritual, the relative power of states, and kings and queens of the ancient world?

The following readings will certainly prove useful for this assignment:

  • · Mann: Birth of Religion at Gobekli Tepe
  • · Smith: Earliest Cities
  • · Gibson: Poverty Point
  • · Marcus: Monumentality & Rulership

How are their causes of divorce similar or different to causes of divorce in parts of the Western World? Women from both populations spoke about the difficulty of polygyny, but a few women also noted how beneficial it was for their husbands to bring home a second wife. What would you consider to be potential benefits of polygyny? What factors of polygyny might make it difficult for some women to accept?

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Assignment #3: Chapters 5 through 7

Divorce is a common feature of married life, both within our own culture and that of the Aka and Ngandu.

How are their causes of divorce similar or different to causes of divorce in parts of the Western World? Women from both populations spoke about the difficulty of polygyny, but a few women also noted how beneficial it was for their husbands to bring home a second wife. What would you consider to be potential benefits of polygyny? What factors of polygyny might make it difficult for some women to accept? What do Aka and Ngandu women mean when they refer to menopause as being “like a man?” What life lessons might you have learned from Nali, Konga, Therese, and Blondine?

García describes the reasons that race is considered a “discredited concept in human biology.” Despite this scientific fact, most people continue to believe that race is “real.” Why do you think race has continued to be an important social reality even after it has been discredited scientifically?

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Reflection #4

Prompt 1 (Week 10: Magic, Belief, and Religion)
Durkheim argued that a distinction between the sacred and the profane was a key characteristic of religion. Thinking about your own culture, what are some examples of ideas or objects that are considered “sacred”? What are the rules concerning how these objects or ideas should be treated? What are the penalties for people who do not follow these rules?

Prompt 2 (Weeks 11-12: Race)
García describes the reasons that race is considered a “discredited concept in human biology.” Despite this scientific fact, most people continue to believe that race is “real.” Why do you think race has continued to be an important social reality even after it has been discredited scientifically?

Prompt 3 (Weeks 13-14: Gender)
Reflect on the various ways you have “learned” about gender and sexuality throughout your life. Which influences do you think had the biggest impact?

Provide a brief summary or description of the media piece you selected. Provide a brief statement identifying which anthropological concept or perspective your media piece represents and a brief description of the perspective/concept

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Anthropology is Everywhere

Instructions: For this assignment, you will find a real-life example of an anthropological perspective or concept covered in this class. Your source for this example will be any type of poplar media (e.g., news article, movie, song, book, photography, fashion, etc.). (Note that you should not need to subscribe to a service or purchase an article to complete this assignment). Your write-up should include:

A brief summary or description of the media piece you selected (up to 75 words)
A brief statement identifying which anthropological concept or perspective your media piece represents and a brief description of the perspective/concept (a few sentences)
An explanation of why this media piece is an example of the anthropological perspective or concept you chose (approximately 200 words)
Citating non-original information: If you refer to any non-original information (e.g., material from the popular media piece, textbook, articles, videos, or outside sources) you must must also include appropriate citations for this information. You may not use direct quotes for this assignment. Instead, non-original information should be paraphrased and expressed using your own words then cited properly. You may use whichever citation style you prefer (e.g., APA, MLA, etc.) but please be consistent. Plagiarism is unethical and will not be tolerated. Improper citations may result in a failing grade for this assignment.

Draft and write an research essay about cultural action applied to anthropoloy.

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Draft Research Essay – cultural action

Draft and write an research essay about cultural action applied to anthropoloy.