Assignment Overview: Cultural Anthropology Encourages Us To

Assignment Overviewcultural Anthropology Encourages Us To Think About

Assignment Overview: Cultural anthropology encourages us to think about how culture is a uniquely shared feature across the human experience. We are invited to see cultures and societies different from our own through a lens that highlights our similarities. We may begin to even see our own culture, that which we don’t question and think of as “normal,” through a more objective viewpoint. For your final assignment, you will use the concepts in our class to look at your own cultural ideologies, practices, and patterns through the lens of anthropology. You will produce a five paragraph informative essay that examines three forms of social organization in our culture.

You will need to correctly identify the pattern and dynamics in each form of social organization, implementing key terms and ethnographic description. For each form of social organization, you will use one fieldwork method conducted in your home to support your claim. Select three of the following forms of social organization: subsistence, social stratification and identity, gender/sex/sexuality, kinship and marriage. Requirements: words, double-spaced, 12-point font. Creative title at the top of the first page. Citations and a work cited page. (No need to do outside research but you should use your text and other materials to support your claims.) APA format.

Five fully developed paragraphs. Proper identification of the forms of social organization in our society. Key terms and concepts applied consistently and in proper context. Example: Here is an outline of what your paper COULD look like. DO NOT COPY MY EXAMPLE.

I. Introduction: Attention-catching opening (describe a scene, use an interesting fact, GET YOUR READER’S ATTENTION!), overview of culture, social organization and related concepts; Thesis Statement: This paper describes three forms of social organization in Western societies: industrialized subsistence, binary gender roles and norms, and monotheistic religious beliefs based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted between (dates) in (location).

II. Body Paragraph 1: Subsistence. Key terms: industrialism. Fieldwork method: photography (photos of packaged food items purchased from a grocery store).

III. Body Paragraph 2: Gender identity. Key terms: gender binary, cultural construction, gender roles. Fieldwork method: participant observation (observe gender norms and roles of family members during a specified time at home).

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Social stratification and identity - race/ethnicity. Terms used: cultural construction, race, stratification. Fieldwork method: interview. Ask a family member about their race.

V. Conclusion: Restate thesis in some detail, tie things back to the intro, and provide final thoughts.

Paper For Above instruction

The intricate fabric of human society is woven with various social organizations that define our interactions and cultural norms. Exploring these structures within my own community reveals how deeply embedded they are in daily life. Specifically, I will examine three forms of social organization prevalent in Western society: subsistence strategies through consumer habits, gender roles within family dynamics, and racial and ethnic stratification. These aspects not only shape individual identities but also reinforce societal hierarchies and cultural expectations, which I will elucidate through ethnographic methods conducted within my home environment.

Subsistence and Consumer Culture

In contemporary Western society, subsistence is less about traditional survival and more about the patterns of consumption that sustain our lifestyle. Industrialism has transformed how we obtain and utilize resources, with grocery shopping serving as a primary example. I conducted fieldwork by photographing food items bought from local grocery stores, which exemplifies how processed, packaged foods have become staples for most households. This method visually documents the shift from subsistence farming or hunting to a highly industrialized food supply chain, highlighting the cultural construction of convenience and abundance. The prevalence of packaged foods reflects a societal value placed on efficiency, comfort, and economic specialization, reinforcing the industrial mode of subsistence that dominates modern life.

Gender Roles and Cultural Construction

Gender identity in Western cultures often adheres to binary roles defined by culturally constructed norms. These roles influence behavior, responsibilities, and expectations within families and communities. I observed and participated in family routines over a week, noting how gender roles manifested in daily activities such as household chores, employment, and social interactions. For example, traditional gender roles often assign domestic responsibilities predominantly to women, while men engage more in paid labor outside the home. These observations align with key terms such as the gender binary, illustrating how societal expectations shape individual identity and behavior. Participant observation helps underscore the extent to which gender is a cultural construct, reinforced through socialization and reinforced norms that are often taken for granted within my own household.

Racial and Ethnic Stratification

Race and ethnicity are significant components of social stratification, viewed through a cultural lens as constructs that influence access to resources and societal status. I conducted an informal interview with my family members about their racial identities and perceptions. This inquiry revealed how racial categories are socially constructed and vary across contexts, often linked to stereotypes and systemic inequalities. My family members identified with different racial backgrounds, which shaped their experiences and perceptions within our community. These insights demonstrate how race functions as a stratifying factor, reinforcing social hierarchies through culturally constructed categories that impact everything from education to employment opportunities.

Conclusion

Examining these three forms of social organization within my own environment reveals their pervasive influence on individual identity and societal structure. From consumer habits reflecting industrial subsistence to gender roles shaped by cultural norms, and racial identities constructed through social and systemic factors, these organizations form the backbone of societal functioning. Understanding them through ethnographic methods enhances our appreciation of how cultural ideologies are maintained and challenged at the everyday level. Recognizing these patterns within our own lives fosters a more critical perspective on the subtle ways culture shapes our behaviors and perceptions, leading to a deeper understanding of the human experience.

References

• Conkey, M. W., & Spector, J. (2004). Ethnographic methods. In L. K. R. & E. C. (Eds.), Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (pp. 101-122). Oxford University Press.
• Harris, M. (1999). Cultural construction of race and class. American Anthropologist, 101(4), 837-854.
• Kottak, C. P. (2021). Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Marcus, G. E., & Fischer, M. M. (1986). Anthropology as ethics. In G. E. Marcus & M. M. Fischer (Eds.), Anthropology as Cultural Critique (pp. 71-110). University of Chicago Press.
• Nelson, M. K. (2014). Practice, reflection, critique: Anthropological essays in honor of Barbara Myerhoff. Routledge.
• Redfield, R. (1971). The cultural construction of gender roles. Annual Review of Anthropology, 1, 273-290.
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• Spradley, J. P. (1980). Participant Observation. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
• Walby, S. (2011). Theorizing gender and stratification: The implications of intersectionality. Feminist Theory, 12(2), 157-176.
• Wong, C. (2019). Race and ethnicity in American society. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Anthropology.