Final Essay Questions

Essays (10 points each, Answer 7 Questions)

1) In what ways does magical thinking persist in contemporary America? Is it likely to persist into the future? How does it exist in American Sports? Please reference classroom discussions and at least one course reading.

2) In the essay “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight”, Clifford Geertz tries to read Balinese ritual and actions like a text in order to decode the symbols in their society. Leni Reifenstahl, the director of the film “Triumph of the Will”, argued throughout her life that this film was not a Nazi propaganda film, but a documentary. How might a symbolic anthropologist, like Geertz, approach the question of whether this film was a form of Nazi propaganda or a documentary? That is, what do the scenes, colors, and images in the film tell you? If an anthropologist were to read “Triumph of the Will” like a text, what might the images symbolize or say to the anthropologist?

3) What is a revitalization movement? Explain how and why they come into existence. Give an example of at least one revitalization movement and explain why it should be categorized so.

4) What is globalization? Is it something new? Is there anything unique about globalization today? For instance, is culture becoming homogenized? If so, then how? Is it becoming more heterogeneous? If so, then how?

5) Discuss the Trobriand interpretation of cricket? Explain how the game changed Trobriand society. How is this form of cricket different from the cricket played by the British?

6) Discus the case of the Gypsy offender. How do Gypsy’s tend to think of identity? Does this conflict of the way that identity is typically constructed in the U.S.? How much of the law committed by the young offender is due to cross-cultural differences according to the anthropologist who wrote the article?

7) Explain the phenomenon of ghost possession in Hindu village belief as discussed by Ruth and Stanley Freed in “Taraka’s Ghost.” What were the conditions that made ghost possession possible in the article? Do religious/supernatural ideas link with other social institutions in the article? Why is Sita a prime candidate for ghost possession?








8) Explain the role of the Shaman in Yanomamo society? What is the role of the shaman in Yanomamo society? Might you compare it to anyone in our own society? What does this film have to do with reciprocity? Is something give? Received? Given back? If so, then what is its significance? What was the function of this act of war? Did it accomplish anything?

9) What are the myths about the sex industry in the Dominican Republic town of Sosúa according to Denis Brennan? What draws women to the town to act as sex workers? How do European men find out about the sex trade in this town? What do the sex workers tend to believe that European clients can do for them? What is the usual outcome of sexual relations with European clients?


10) In the article discussing the Kayapo resistance. Who are the Fourth World Peoples? What is the Kayapo relationship with their natural environment? How do they subsist in the Amazon? What forces threaten their livelihood and social existence as a distinct cultural group?

I think the first time you rent out an apartment is a pretty big rite of passage. Having your own spit of property to call your own, at least till the lease expires, is a pretty momentous occasion. Its probably the first time you'll have everything up to you, sole responsibility to pay all the bills on time, make the money, cook, clean, balance a diet, deal with setting up and paying utilities, having roommates, dealing with neighbors, landlords, and any mishaps that result. Trying to organize everything, sorting out chores, ensuring they get done, and distinguishing each others personal space are also key elements to managing living on your own. It can definitely be difficult from time to time to make ends meet and manage a good relationship with your roommate but once you've done it your confidence improves ten fold and you feel much more comfortable and ready to rent out future apartments, even progressing to possible home ownership. I believe its definitely a big step, especially when compared to European countries in which people our age usually still live with their parents, until they get married really, something that seems really bizarre to most of us in the U.S. who move out at age 18-20. People tend to have more respect for someone once they've shown they can live on their own and manage bills without the help of mommy and daddy, something most people gradually ascend to.

New Job

I believe that starting a new job is a rite of passage because it may change someone's lifestyle completely. The amount of sleep, what you eat, and times you are able to see your friends are just a few ways in which your life may alter once a new job is started. I know when I started my new job, my lifestyle changed with everything from the amount of homework I would get accomplished each day to the amount of time I was able to see my family. I was forced into redeveloping my schedule in order to accomplish and manage my life in a equal manor

Apartment passage

I think that getting an apartment has a rite of passage to it.  Moving from a dorm to an apartment is a big deal. Your parents move you in, and then the first stage is to be alone from your parents and your school community. You are separated from having all your friends right next door to you, and are alone in your building most likely. Then you have to learn how to pay bills and make your own food. You also have to clean more rooms and become self-sufficient. This is the liminal period. Then in the period of re aggregation, you become more independent and start having dinner parties and learning to live on your own and be alone. 

The assembly of a young Adult

Every year that leads up to your High School graduation is a rite of passage in itself. The three stages being very simple: Grade School, Middle School, then High School, the ultimate result ideally being adulthood. By the end of these three phases of school you are to be considered an adult and should be able to make decisions on your own, whether that may be to attend College, or to go straight into the work force. Whatever decision you make should be influenced by the rite of passage you have just completed and should be able to make an educated decision determining the rest of your life. For me this was my main rite of passage. Every phase preparing you for the next, progressively getting more difficult as you matured and grew into being more of an adult. The phases act somewhat as an assembly line, starting with the basics and growing more complex when more parts are added, to ultimately create a quality end product, which is ready to be released into the world. Some abuse this passage, and some take full advantage of it, which is all part of the process. In the end, the only goal is to create an educated adult, capable of making his or her own decisions in pursuing their ideal life.

the scouts

The scouts have played a large role in my life growing up.
Being in the scouts really was a right of passage. After completing the three steps, manhood is achieved; The first being Tiger Cubs, then Cub Scouts, and finally Boy Scouts. Tiger Cubs was an introduction program. This was set up for young children, (in kindergarten) to learn how to work together. This will be important for the future, Boy Scouts is not only about one's self, but about teamwork. After Tiger Cubs comes Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts meet once a week. Children learn how to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, curdius, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Boyscouts was the ultimate test of patients. From 5th grade till 12th grade, this taught a child to become a man. Not only was the progress noticable physically, but also mentaly. Boy Scouts led up to the final rank; becoming an Eagle Scout. As an Eagle Scout, one is concidered a man.

Driven

One right of passage I think most to all young people go through is getting their drivers license. The first phase could be having to take drivers ED, so we can take the written test and hopefully pass. Once you do pass, you then get to do your behind the wheel with some old batty man or woman telling you how to drive. After all the practice and preparation you turn 16 and can take your drivers test. 

Now not everyone passes there drivers test on the first shot. Specking as someone who had to take the test twice I know the trauma that goes into taking the test but it is something everyone must do if they want to get there drivers license at the age of 16. But once you do pass it has to be one of the greatest feelings of your 16 year old life. You could wait till your 18 and just take the test then but that would mean waiting.......