Anthropology 3 Spring 2008 T/Th 9:00am

Take home exam questions Due Tuesday April 8

The quiz will be April 10 (No Library orientation on the 10^th)

Answer 3 questions. Answer each question fully supporting your response to the question, each will take about 1 page (word processed). (15 points each - 45 points total.). They are based on the readings – mainly Robbins

Choose two (2) questions from this section

1. In the article, "A World Full of Women", Ward analyzes the position of women in society relative to men. What are the factors which she says contribute to or define women’s and men’s positions in society? Do you think her analysis applies to industrial societies such as the U.S.? Given the analysis she presents, what are the prospects held open to women today? What would it take to establish equality (not sameness) in the society we live in today?

2. Every society has a worldview. We may we call it a “religion” or a “cosmology”. Whatever the term, it serves to guide people in their relations in the world. The article “Adaptive Value of Religious Ritual” talks about the role of rituals and religion in various societies. What are the author’s main points? What evidence do see that would support or disprove this view?

3. In Chapter 5, Robbins uses certain criteria for examining patterns of family relations basically they can be outlined by the characteristics listed below. Describe your kinship system according to the following: How trace kinship? Main grouping? Residence patterns? What is exchanged at marriage? What are the roles of sexuality, love and wealth? What threatens to disrupt the family? Do you think these are useful categories in understanding family relations? Why?

4. In looking at gender roles, we have discussed the different constructs: male, female and twin spirit. On page 177 Robbins cites studies carried out by Margaret Mead in New Guinea. What does this seem to indicate about our gender roles? What about other gender categories, which are discussed further in that same section? You may also refer to the article entitled “The Berdache Tradition” which discusses what we have called “twin spirits”.

5. The question of marriage patterns attracts a lot of attention in our society. We tend to think that monogamous marriages based on “love” provide the most solid basis for raising children. What other views have been presented in our readings? What is your assessment and why? Simply having been brought up a certain way is not “why” enough.

Everyone does this question:

1. We have talked about the question of cultural relativity and absolute cultural relativity. Read the attached article “Egypt's fight against female circumcision clashes with tradition”. If you were an anthropologist there, and a group of girls came to you resisting this ritual what would your response be? (Not just in your head, what would you do?) Why?

Extra Credit (5 points) – you may choose one (1).

I. What is the difference between ethnocentrism and cultural relativity? Be specific.

II. Ethnocentrism in your life. Record one statement or expression of ethnocentrism that you encountered since first reading this question. It can have been expressed anywhere: in the media, in class, in a religious setting etc. Analyze the statement. Be specific. What was said, where and by whom. What was being said (what was the meaning)? Why was it ethnocentric?