Anthropology 110 Midterm Exam Study Guide Fall 2009
The midterm exam will be worth 250 points and consist of about 30 multiple choice and
4 short essay questions. Please bring a scantron and pencil. You may also bring THREE
pages of notes, both sides.
Multiple choice questions will be based on your understandings of terminology, as well
as the information you prepare for the short answer questions.
From the text and lectures: Know definitions, characteristics and examples of these
terms.
* anthropology; the four fields of anthropology
holism/holistic perspective of anthropology
globalization
enculturation
ethnocentrism
cultural relativism
culture
cultural lag
cultural diffusion
cultural integration
applied anthropology
participant observation
ethnography
social construction of race
linguistic determinism (Sapir-Whorf hypothesis)
linguistic nationalism
egocentric self (class notes)
sociocentric self (class notes)
dependence training
independence training
“two spirit”
Intersexuals
transgender
ethnic psychosis
culture core
cultural adaptation
carrying capacity
foraging society (hunter/gatherer)
pastoral society
horticultural society
swidden farming
(intensive) agricultural society
magic
mana
witchcraft
animism
shaman
rite of passage (and the stages)
rite of intensification
revitalization movement
From Maasai article, video and lectures:
Boma
Manyatta
Moran(i)
Engai (Enkai)
laibon
eunoto ceremony
emurata ceremony
The short essay questions will be taken from the following list:
1. Diagram the “barrel model of culture.” Now describe “cultural integration,” using
EITHER the example of Sri Lanka in the video “Buddha and the Rice Planters” OR
the video “The Goddess and the Computer,” to explain what happened in Bali when
outsiders introduced new strains of rice and agricultural methods. (This demonstrates
cultural integration too, because when one or more aspects of culture are changed, it
affects other aspects of culture).
2. “Social construction of race”: be able to explain this idea. Use text, lecture and video
notes from “Defining Race.”
3. What are some of the characteristics of independence training? Dependence training?
You must give at least 3 characteristics of each. How is this accomplished? (Meaning
in terms of child rearing techniques, etc). In what kinds of societies are we likely to
find each of these patterns of child-rearing? Now define sociocentric and egocentric
self, and explain how this relates to these two types of child-rearing techniques.
4. The author of “the Blessed Curse” states that “from a very early age I was presented
with two (contrasting) views of myself” (p. 139). Explain what s/he means by this.
5. Describe and contrast the distinguishing characteristics of TWO (your choice) of the
following societies: foraging, pastoral, horticultural, intensive agricultural. You must
include at least 3 characteristics of each one. With each one give an example. (If you
choose intensive agriculture, include some of the features of the ancient Aztec city of
Tenochtitlan). Now, when looking at characteristics of different types of societies
from foraging to industrial, what patterns do we see with regard to social
stratification, land, population size etc? You must include at least 4 points. (see class
notes).
6. Define rite of passage. Be sure to include the 3 stages and what happens at each
stage. Now describe a rite of passage EITHER among Mende girls in the text OR the
Maasai (article and video).
7. Explain how religion can be an agent of social control. Now, using the example of
either the Ibibio OR the Navajo, discuss some of the functions of witchcraft in terms
of how it serves as a method of social control.
8. Discuss some of the trends, and their causes, with the spread of Christianity in Africa.
Now look specifically at AICs and discuss some of the characteristics of the
“Ethiopian,” “Zionist” and “Messianic” AICs. (Use the video on “Zulu Zion” and
lecture notes).
9. On the Maasai: from the article, video and class notes: Discuss some of the beliefs
about, and uses of, cattle in Maasai society. You must include at least 5 points here.
Now discuss how Maasai life has been changing and why. What are some of the
restrictions the Kenyan government has put on the Maasai in the past 40 years or so?
How have these changed Maasai ways of life?
From Articles: (All article and video questions are short essay possibilities)
1. From “Eating Christmas:” Explain the cultural context for why the people told
the anthropologist his ox was a bag of bones. That is, what are some of the
characteristics of the !Kung (Ju’/hoansi) culture that help us understand why they
ridiculed his ox.
2. From “Uses of Anthropology”: Give 3 reasons why the solar oven wouldn’t work
in Oaxaca, Mexico. Now give 2 of the main reasons why women in Ecuador
were not going to the family planning clinics, and give 3 main solutions to the
problem.
3. From “Decolonising the Mind:” Prepare worksheet questions # 4-6
From Videos:
1. “Twilight of the Dreamtime:” TBA
2. “Rights of Passage:” Describe what the Women’s Center in Jamaica was
trying to do to reduce teen pregnancy. How well did it seem to be working?