Sample 2
Examiner comments
SL paper 2
Question 3
Question 7
Marks awarded
Marks available
Criterion A
5
6
Criterion B
6
8
Criterion C
3
5
Criterion A
6
6
Criterion B
6
8
Criterion C
4
5
Criterion D
4
4
Criterion E
1
2
Total
35
44
Assessed across both questions
Question 3
Criterion A
The response clearly draws on core terms and anthropological concepts such as ethnocentrism, agency
and Bourdieu’s forms of capital. These terms are not fully defined but they are relevant and applied
correctly and therefore the response demonstrates implicit understanding. The student uses the terms
and concepts to evaluate the ethnographic materials to some extent but tends to accept this analysis at
face value. The response demonstrates knowledge and understanding but covers so many terms and
concepts that the essay lacks sufficient detail to receive full marks for criterion A.
Criterion B
The student has selected appropriate ethnography for this question but has not identified the fieldwork
timeframe. Knowledge of the ethnography is sound, but the presentation of these materials is, at times,
over generalized and the ethnographer’s perspective is not fully realized. For example, the response
claims that the stereotypes are an aspect of boundary maintenance of the “ruling white middle class of
America” rather than sticking to the specific populations studied by Bourgois. Also, the response accepts
the value system of the Puerto Ricans as given explanation without showing that this is the perspective
offered by Bourgois and may not be shared by all anthropologists or Nuyorican. The analysis is well
framed but the response does not provide sufficient ethnographic detail.
Criterion C
The response mentions a number of comparisons. These include comparisons between the working
environments of office workers, factory workers and people working on the streets; comparisons between
genders; comparisons between anthropological approaches, and comparisons between the “white middle
class” and the Puerto Ricans. However, none of these comparisons is sufficiently detailed and the latter is
over generalized. Students should be coached to be selective in their comparisons (two comparative
groups is often sufficient) so as to allow them to discuss the comparison in depth.
Question 7
Criterion A
This student has selected terms and ideas well. This is an organized, well-framed response that uses
sophisticated anthropological language throughout. The terms and ideas used by students will vary from
school to school. Terms and ideas will be selected by teachers based on those that are fundamental to
anthropology, relevant to the ethnographies studied, and that reflect a range of anthropological
approaches. In this case, Appadurai’s ideas are well summarized. The student selects the scapes most
relevant to his or her argument. The response also uses social capital effectively. These ideas are used
to evaluate the ethnographic materials. However, while the response shows implicit understanding of
“localization” through the application of this idea to the ethnographic materials, explicit discussion of this
term is lacking. Nevertheless, the overall quality of the conceptual discussion is insightful and therefore
this response receives top marks for this criterion.
Criterion B
The student has provided an organized and focused response. The response demonstrates a clear
understanding of the society; relevant ethnography has been selected and an excellent framework for
discussion is provided. In this sense the ethnographic materials are clearly evaluated. The
conceptualization and framework are excellent in the response but these aspects are emphasized to an
extent that sacrifices ethnographic detail. The response does not demonstrate a sufficiently complete
understanding of the Akan. For example, gender and witchcraft are mentioned but not discussed. Also,
the response mistakenly differentiates the rural Akan as “native”, rather than people living in a rural area.
The response also fails to provide the timeframe in which the fieldwork was carried out by Parish.
Criterion C
The student has produced relevant ethnographic comparisons but these are not sufficiently detailed.
However, the response demonstrates sound comparative skills when discussing anthropological
approaches.
Assessed across both essays
Criterion D
Teaching of the themes should emphasize patterns and processes of change in society and culture, and
that anthropological knowledge changes over time. This student shows a good understanding of
processes of change and social transformation in both essays.
Criterion E
The response demonstrates sound knowledge of two societies and although this was not sufficiently
detailed to be awarded full marks on this criterion, it was detailed enough to merit one mark.
Further comments
This was a thoughtful and insightful paper that reflected a sound understanding and knowledge of the
discipline of anthropology.