Cultural Anthropology Final Exam
Using examples from class and the readings, discuss how social stratification regarding race or gender in US society is based on ideology and not biology.
In your own words, define biological determinism and explain why it is important to challenge biological determinism regarding an analysis of social hierarchy/stratification.
If biology is not satisfactory enough to provide a thorough understanding of observable differences (physical differences as well as behavioral ones) between ethno-racial groups or between males and females, then what does account for some of those observable differences? (If discussing “race,” why do we find that certain ethno-racial groups tend to dominate in certain sports, entertainment and/or occupational arenas?
If discussing gender, why do we find differences between genders in occupational arenas and in attitudes about dating & mating?) Finally, what insights have anthropologists gained from cross-cultural research, and how does it challenge us to think differently about race or gender?
Write about Kath Weston’s Traveling Light, incorporating the following elements in about 500-550 words total. You must make specific use of examples (at least 2) in Traveling Light in your answer to get full credit. (20 points)
After reading Traveling Light, write an essay about your thoughts about the ethnographic research Weston presents and the key lessons that you’ve learned from reading the ethnography.
What did you learn about doing ethnographic research from reading this ethnography? What are some of the strengths and limitations of participant observation as a key method of ethnographic research?
How do you think Weston’s positionality as a White woman or her childhood experience “living poor” affected her research and her interactions with the people she met taking cross country bus rides?
In what way(s) did the ethnography enhance your understandings of the people who are living poor? Are there any lingering questions that you would explore further?
Extra credit (up to 2 points added to your final grade). Answer the following in about 300 words:
If you were to conduct an ethnographic study on the lived experience of people who could be considered “poor,” what would you want to do and how would you go about doing it? What perspective or method from Weston’s ethnography would you use as a guide (if any)? How might who you are (experience-wise and identity-wise) affect what you want to study and who and what you would be able to access?
