Anthropological Exploration of the Trobriander Islanders of the Western Pacific: Male Bias in the Work of Bronislaw Malinowski
[ send me this paper ]
A 6 page examination of the early twentieth century work of Bronislaw Malinowski among the Trobriander Islanders. While Malinowski recognized the importance of women in Trobriander society, he missed key relationships among the sexes which not only allowed the culture to thrive but which illustrated the economic and cultural importance of females. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: PPtrobr2.rtf

Anthropological Theory
[ send me this paper ]
This 7 page paper provides an examination of functionalism, based on the ideas of Emile Durkheim; cultural anthropology as first introduced by Julian Steward and psychological anthropology as introduced by Franz Boas and elaborated on by Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: KTfuneco.wps

Anthropology of the Body
[ send me this paper ]
This 11 page report discusses anthropology of the body and the ways in which every culture constructs a symbolic system of meanings which includes a representation of the body and a theory of the body’s physical existence. In western society the body is viewed as a symbol of individualism and separation. In traditional societies the body connects the individual to the society and nature. Such an anthropologically-constructed body can be analyzed in terms of form, content, knowing and value. In the study of the anthropology of the body, it is important to consider the body as the subject and object of social processes. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: BWantrob.wps

Anthropology: The Political Functions of Supernatural Rituals; The Misunderstanding of Civilization; and, The Values of American Culture with Comments on the Distribution of Wealth and Public Education
[ send me this paper ]
This is a 4 page paper discussing supernatural rituals and political power, misunderstanding and civilization, and individualism within American culture. Three central ideas within modern day anthropology are discussed, namely: the political functions of supernatural rituals; the misunderstanding of civilization; and, the core values of American culture in relation to the unequal distribution of wealth and the public education system. Supernatural rituals have a political function which can be twofold: those who are influential within the religious structure in society carry that power beyond the ritual itself; and, politically, those who wish the support of a large population within society can align themselves with a religious group. Misunderstanding and illusions for truth are part of the realizations of a young daughter in Barbara Kingsolver’s novel “The Poisonwood Bible” but these ideas are applied to anyone’s idea of his or her own civilization which becomes wholly dependent and built on one society but is inapplicable to another. Finally, the idea of “individualism” within the United States has become so profound that those who are wealthy within the U.S. (including the government itself) have done little for those who are less fortunate. This is well reflected in the high poverty rates in the country and the public school system which is unable to meet the basic needs of its citizens. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: TJanthr1.rtf

Approaches and Limitations of Research in Anthropological Study According to Rosaldo and Scheper-Hughes
[ send me this paper ]
This is a 5 page paper discussing the differences and limitations in approaches to the study of cultures in anthropology using research theories by Renato Rosaldo and Nancy Scheper-Hughes. Rosaldo’s approach based on cultural citizenship allows him to study cultures and their groups but is somewhat subjective while Scheper-Hughes’ sociocentric concept of self relies heavily on conclusions based on her studies of individual’s excluded from groups within cultures. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: TJRosal1.rtf

Archaeotourism
[ send me this paper ]
A 12 page overview of archaeotourism, its effects on indigenous populations and archaeologically important sites. Compares archaeotourism to ecotourism and points out its benefits as well as its downfalls. Bibliography lists 12 sources.
Filename: Archtour.wps

Around The World In Thirty Years
[ send me this paper ]
Barbara Gallatin Anderson is an anthropologist. She has written a book that tells about her travels, the people and cultures she has encountered over the thirty years she was working as an anthropologist. This 5 page paper provides a tutorial on how to write a critique of the book, Around The World In Thirty Years. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: KTarnd30.wps

Bali/Colonial & Post-Colonial History
[ send me this paper ]
An 8 page essay that draws heavily on J. Stephen Lansing's anthropological study of Bali entitled "The Balinese" and outlines the history of this island culture during its colonial and post-colonial eras. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: khbali.rtf

Balinese Culture: A Holistic View
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page discussion of the interconnectivity of many aspects of Balinese culture and lifeways. Provides numerous examples of this interconnectivity ranging from daily life ways to elaborate ritual. Explains that Balinese religion is one of the primary examples of this interconnectivity but even aspects such as a child’s play has deep cultural meanings and an interconnectivity and relationship with seemingly unrelated aspects of that culture. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: PPbali.wps

Behavioral Evolution and the Formation of Culture
[ send me this paper ]
An 8 page discussion of behavioral evolution and the role of behavioral science in that evolution. Notes that behavioral changes occur over time on both an individual level and a cultural level. Compares these changes with biological evolution through the process of natural selection. Warns that while the intervention of behavioral science may be of positive use in correcting truly aberrant individual behavior, it could be of tremendous adverse impact to cultural evolution as a whole. Encourages cultural self-control and warns against the approach of Westernization and deliberate cultural design and intervention. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: PPcultE2.wps

Bell Curve
[ send me this paper ]
In 5 pages "This author proposes to discuss, in a critical evaluation, how Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray, the authors of "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life", construct their arguments, and how they use claim, facts, opinions, etc., while concentrating on how the authors use language, reasoning, etc. to build there case and then ultimately concentrating on how they contradict one another." Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Bellcurv.wps

Biology & Behavior / Nature vs. Nurture
[ send me this paper ]
9 pages on biologically determined behaviors and the nature vs. nurture controversy. Writer finds that many of our more common behaviors do indeed find their roots in biology. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Biolbeha.wps