ORAL PRESENTATION
Research Project, Cultural Anthropology
100 points
SUBCULTURES
Culture: A society’s shared and socially transmitted ideas, values, and perceptions, which are used to make sense of
experience and which generate behavior and are reflected in that behavior.
Subculture: A distinctive set of standards and behavior patterns by which a group within a larger society operates, while
still sharing common standards with that larger society
California, and especially the Bay Area, offers a wide variety of subcultures. Choose one and become anthropologists!
Gather 3 or 4 other teammates:
1. Name:__________________________________Contact:_____________________________________________
2. Name:__________________________________Contact:_____________________________________________
3. Name:__________________________________Contact:_____________________________________________
4. Name:__________________________________Contact:_____________________________________________
Choose a Subculture:
_____________________________________________
Ideas:
Gamer Culture
LGBT Community
Hobbyists (coin collectors, lego builders, cyclists, quilters, etc.)
Ethnic/Nationality Communities (Hungarian, Jewish, French, Japanese, Latin American, African American, Irish, etc.)
Vampire Community
Trekkies
Tattoo/piercing enthusiasts
Harley Davidson Riders
Hells Angels
Comic enthusiasts
Structure
After you have chosen a subculture, your presentation must cover these topics:
1.
Introduction 10 pts (Brief, no more than 5 minutes tops)
a. Self-Reflection (5 pts)
Firstly, look to yourselves, how has your worldviews been colored by your own culture? Identify your morals,
values, (i.e. “rights and wrongs”) and any biases that might reflect on the group you will study.
b. Introduce your Subculture (5 pts)
Secondly, what is the subculture you collectively chose? What were your thoughts on this subculture before you
began your study? Be aware of ethnocentrism; describe and understand but do not judge.
2. Fieldwork in the Subculture 90 pts (15 minutes tops)
a. Origins/Worldview (30 pts) (5 mins)
What did your informants tell you of how and where their subculture began? You are interpreting your
informants’ words for the class. Be respectful, beware of ethnocentrism, and above all, only present data given to
you from your informants (i.e. No internet research is allowed).
b. Language/Communication/Symbolism (30 pts) (5 mins)
Do members of this subgroup have a specific way of communicating with each other? Did they talk to you with
words, gestures or other symbols that were unfamiliar to you? Did your informants communicate differently
among themselves than they did with you? Again, only present data given to you from your informants.
c. Gender/Social Identity/Marriage and Family (30 pts) (5 mins)
Ask your informants, how is gender perceived in their subgroup? From your own observations, and from
questions directed toward your informants, do attitudes towards marriage and family seem the same or different
than the encompassing U.S. society?
Grading
This project is based on collaboration and teamwork. Anthropology is all about studying and understanding people – this
includes each other as well as the subculture you will collectively study. The distribution of the above categories is up to
you, but make sure everyone has an equal amount of work. Your individual grades will mirror your overall grade, but
please note: Those who do not pull their own weight will be given a reduced grade. A cohesive, well put-together, well
researched, interesting and engaging presentation will earn the highest marks.
An “A” Presentation (all 100 points): Contributions from all participants flow together and make sense.
Props/Posters/Powerpoint/Other visual aids are included and used effectively. The presentation style is lively and
engaging from all, bringing the audience into the world of this religion. Fair and unbiased language is used throughout.
A professional presentation style is maintained while not being boring. All topics are covered thoroughly and the
presentation is kept within limits of the time slot – 20 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY NOTE:
On the day of your presentation, get to class early (15 minutes or so) to set up your computer/PPT/video etc. Once your
“time” starts for your presentation, that’s all you’ll have, so make sure you are ready to go!
Presentation Date:
Once you have a created a group and picked a subgroup, see me to reserve your spot on the Calendar
All presentations are slotted for 20 minutes. Presentations that go longer than their
allotted time will be cut off and points reduced. Make sure to give your group presentation
plenty of run-throughs to avoid this.