Final Paper Anthropology 225 Cultural Anthropology Fall 2020

Final Paper Anthropology 225 Cultural Anthropologyfall 2020as Per The

Throughout this course we have encountered how culture is dynamic, changing through the tensions of conformity and conflict. In your paper I want you to first explain anthropologically what is the concept of culture. Then, for the main portion of your paper I want you to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic ties into and is impacting concepts and topics we have touched on in this course.

For instance; globalization, time-space compression, uneven developments, flexible accumulation, culture, nationalism, race and racism, social inequality and stratification etc. You do not have to use all of these concepts. Pick two or three of these concepts as your main topics. As you are writing your essay, please make sure to pay attention to the following:

• Within your discussion you should not only define these terms (culture, gender, social stratification etc); it is also important that you apply these comments to examples from the Guest textbook.
• Besides the text, use examples from the lectures and from your own experiences to demonstrate your understanding of these concepts.
• Use a minimum of two sources from outside of the class that are from academic sources, such as peer reviewed journals and two sources from reputable newspapers or magazines (NY Times, New Yorker, Washington Post, New Yorker, The Atlantic, Harpers, The New Republic, The Nation, etc.)
• Please do not use Wikipedia.
• Try not to use direct quotes. When you do use examples or quotes, please provide proper author and page citations. For example (Guest:25). Use whatever style your discipline uses (APA, MLA, Chicago). Please provide a works cited page. This will not count towards your overall page count.
• If for personal reasons you do not want to write about the COVID-19 Pandemic please contact me and we can work out an alternative version of the paper.

Paper For Above instruction

Title: The Impact of COVID-19 on Cultural Concepts: An Anthropological Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a transformative global event, affecting multiple facets of human society and culture. To understand these impacts through an anthropological lens, it is essential to first define what culture entails within this discipline. Culture, as understood by anthropologists, is a complex system of shared beliefs, practices, symbols, and norms that shape human behavior and social organization (Guest, 2014). It is both material and symbolic, encompassing language, rituals, customs, and worldview. Culture is dynamic, constantly evolving through interactions within and across societies, often influenced by external forces such as globalization and technological change.

Within the context of the pandemic, several key concepts from cultural anthropology become particularly salient: globalization, social inequality, and race and racism. Focusing on these, this essay examines how COVID-19 has both revealed and intensified existing social structures and cultural interpretations.

Globalization and the Pandemic

Globalization, characterized by increased interconnectedness and material exchange across borders, has played a significant role in both the spread of COVID-19 and its socio-cultural impacts. The rapid transmission of the virus underscores the time-space compression that David Harvey describes, where distances are shortened through technological and economic networks (Harvey, 1989). The globalized economy facilitated not only the biological spread but also the flow of information, which can sometimes lead to misinformation and panic. For instance, social media platforms have amplified fears, shaping cultural responses to health directives. According to an article in The Atlantic, the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, revealing that many countries are dependent on a few manufacturing hubs for medical supplies (The Atlantic, 2020).

Social Inequality and COVID-19

The pandemic has starkly highlighted existing social inequalities, especially evident in health disparities. Marginalized groups, including minority communities and low-income populations, have experienced higher rates of infection and mortality. This aligns with Guest's discussion of social stratification, where access to resources and cumulative disadvantages perpetuate inequality (Guest, 2014). In the United States, African American and Latino populations have faced disproportionate health impacts, partly due to crowded living conditions, employment in essential sectors, and limited access to healthcare. An article by The New York Times emphasizes that COVID-19 has become a mirror reflecting pre-existing societal fractures, with health outcomes correlating closely with social class and ethnicity (The New York Times, 2020).

Race, Racism, and Cultural Narratives

The pandemic has also exacerbated racial tensions and racist narratives. Xenophobia targeting Asian communities, often fueled by misinformation associating “the virus” with particular ethnic groups, illustrates how cultural perceptions are manipulated during crises. This phenomenon is an example of how race and racism intertwine with health crises, influencing social interactions and policies. The Guest textbook discusses how cultural stereotypes can be reinforced during times of stress, leading to social exclusion and discrimination (Guest, 2014). An article in The Huffington Post reports increased hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic, illustrating the intersection of race, culture, and public health responses (Huffington Post, 2020).

Conclusion

In conclusion, COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst revealing and intensifying enduring cultural and social patterns. Through the lens of globalization, social inequality, and race, we see a reflection of the complex web of human behaviors and structures that define societies. Anthropology provides essential tools for analyzing these phenomena, emphasizing the importance of understanding culture not as static but as responsive to global and local forces. As the world navigates this ongoing crisis, recognizing these cultural dynamics is crucial for fostering more equitable and informed responses.

References

• Guest, D. (2014). Cultural Anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age. Oxford University Press.
• Harvey, D. (1989). The Condition of Postmodernity. Blackwell Publishing.
• The Atlantic. (2020). The Pandemic’s Impact on Global Supply Chains. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com
• The New York Times. (2020). Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Impact. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com
• The Huffington Post. (2020). Rise in Hate Crimes During the Pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com