Anthropology 100
Dr. Jane Granskog
Review For Quiz II
Material Covered: Schultz & Lavenda, Ch 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; Spradley & McCurdy Reader, articles
#9-25, 33; electronic reserve-- Bean, Rynkiewich, McIntosh, Diamond. BE SURE TO BRING A
SCANTRON (CAN PURCHASE FROM THE BOOKSTORE for $0.23 - Form #30423) & #2 PENCIL
TO CLASS ON THE DAY OF THE QUIZ. The quiz will consist of true/false and multiple choice
questions (22 questions) and two short answer questions (4 points each).
Economy And Ecology - Making A Living
Be familiar with the major societal types (based on means of extracting energy from the environment subsistence strategies - modes of production): hunting & gathering (foraging), horticultural, pastoral,
plow agriculture (peasantry); industrialization and post-industrialization and the changes taking place
through globalization processes. Know definition of an ecosystem (resource base + means of
production - productive knowledge, tools & techniques) and consequences of adaptation for forms of
social organization present, especially re: role of gender on labor, status & property relations. Note
various approaches to study of economic activity. Be familiar with the relationship between modes of
production (kin ordered, tributary, capitalist), consumption (various approaches to understanding
patterns) and modes of distribution (reciprocity, redistribution & market exchange). Be able to
discuss impact of globalization on differing consumption patterns in developing world –interplay
between “meaningful & material”. Be familiar with the main points in the articles in Spradley &
McCurdy Reader (#9-14, 33).
Families, Kinship, Descent and Marriage
Know significance and general characteristics of unilineal descent groups (lineage, clan - all
bounded groups defined by patrilineal, matrilineal and double descent) as distinct from
bilateral/bilineal descent systems (personal kindred, stem kindred - bilateral kindreds are unbounded
networks). Note residence patterns associated with different kinship systems (matrilocal, patrilocal,
neolocal, avunculocal, bilocal) Know how to construct and "read" a standard geneological chart
identifying matrilineal/patrilineal kin & parallel and cross cousins. Significance of imagined
communities.
Note definition and examples of consanguines, affines, fictive/ritually defined kin
(compadrazgo/godparenthood), "friends as family" (sense of history, count on in emergency). Know
& be able to define and discuss the major attributes and variability of marriage patterns (more or less
stable union 2+ individuals, co-resident, sexually involved and procreative) as well as major forms of
marriage - monogamy, polygamy, polygyny, polyandry (fraternal, associated), exogamy,
endogamy, cross-cousin/parallel cousin marriage; marriage, co-marriage ("wife exchange"),
bridewealth, dowry (groom price) and associated issues; significance of avoidance (formal) & joking
relationships.
Know the major characteristics of nuclear and extended families/households and the types of
societies in which they are found; the distinction between family of orientation and procreation; the
distinction between family and household; the strengths and limitations of independent (nuclear)
family vs. extended families; examples of household types – nuclear vs extended—
patrilineal/matrilineal. extended, joint extended-& significance of matrifocal households; intrahousehold dynamics (gender relations, domestic violence) & transformations Note relationship
between frequency of divorce and type of society/kinship system as well as conditions that promote
and discourage divorce – impact of international migration, concept of blended families, families by
choice. Be familiar with the main points in the articles by Bean and Rynkiewich and articles #15-19 in
Spradley and McCurdy Reader
Beyond Kinship – Power, Gender, Race and Class
Be familiar with major characteristics of social groups (primary & secondary) and modes of social
organization associated with different types of societies--note association between type of economic
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system and level and features of socio-political organization. Kin-based societies - stateless
(foraging bands, tribal horticultural and pastoral societies), based on status & role (predominantly
ascribed statuses), with mechanical solidarity; non-kin defined as "metaphorical kin". Contrast with
non-kin based societies (stratified – class/caste) with emphasis on achieved statuses, and
characterized by organic solidarity, occupational specialization etc. Be aware of general principles
upon which groups are based (age, gender, hierarchy, kinship, territory, common interests & goals,
ethnic affiliation) and variations in forms of non-kin groups found—friendship patterns,
clubs/fraternities, countercultural groups (gangs), work cooperatives. Note significance of issues of
power, hegemony, biopower and governmentality, power as an independent entity and the power of
imagination.
Know the difference between egalitarian, ranked & stratified groups and type of non-kin ties
in both egalitarian and stratified societies -- characteristics of class vs. caste along w/ significance of
race & ethnicity. Note significance of racial stratification, race as a social category, racial
classification as mark of status—eg. Latin America, U.S as reflected in Two Towns of Jasper
(compare with articles by Diamond and McIntosh). Note significance of discussion of civil society
(institutions that support the state vs those seeking change – activist groups such as CO-MADRES of
El Salvador, role of rondas in Peru).
Be able to contrast the characteristics of power and authority in different types of society
associated w/ varying levels of political organization-- egalitarian band, ranked tribe &
chiefdoms/confederacy in stateless societies (focus on descent and kinship, consensual basis to
power and importance of generosity) vs state societies (stratified-unequal access to resources &
prestige) marked by centralized control over population/”citizens”—monopoly on use of force &
maintenance of law & order. Note distinction between power as coercion (physical force) vs legitimacy
(based on group consensus) as well as the key characteristics of power noted in stratified state
societies. Note major features of state societies and significance of gender as it affects perception of
power (the male dominator model of society expressed in the "patriarchial paradigm" vs the
partnership model of society discussed in class). Note relationship to difference between directive
power (capacity to increase satisfactions by intentionally shaping behavior of others to advance own
interests—power over/zero-sum game/focus on competition) vs synergic power (capacity of
individual/group to increase satisfactions of all participants by intentionally generating increased
energy/creativity to create more rewarding present/future for all—focus on cooperation, value of
empowerment, shared leadership & inclusivity) as discussed in class. Note changes taking place in
political systems—impact of globalization & increased transnational migration upon concept of nationstate. Note relationship between nationalism, nation-building and impact of naturalizing discourses –
ethnocide & genocide. Note major points in Spradley & McCurdy Reader on issues of gender (AbuLughod #22, on significance of the burka, purdah, and relation to video on women in Afghanistan; and
Wolf #19, on Chinese women’s role in family); race (Fish, U.S. vs Brazilian categories of race). Note
also key points by Diamond & McIntosh on electronic reserve.
Sample Essay:
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Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of industrialization in contrast to the
advantages and disadvantages of a non-industrialized way of life. Cite examples from your
readings where appropriate.
Anthropologists claim that subsistence strategies affect a society's social organization and
ideology. Evaluate this assertion based on Reed's discussion of the Guarani adaptation to the
rain forest and Lee’s discussion of the !Kung way of life as foragers .
Compare and contrast matrilineal with patrilineal societies. Why do different societies practice
these two different patterns of descent? How are patrilineal and matrilineal societies similar to
and/or different from societies that practice bilateral/bilineal patterns of descent? You may cite
examples from the readings and your own experience to illustrate your points (e.g., Rynkiewich's
discussion, the American family etc.).
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Discuss the difference between the concept of family and household. Considering your current
living situation, how would an anthropologist describe your family or your household?
What type of function(s) do different marriage practices and family patterns serve for a society?
Justify your answer with examples from your readings.
Compare and contrast the views of power held in state and stateless societies. How might the
contrast between these two views of power help us to understand the differences between the
"dominator “ and partnership models of society"?
What are the major results and implications of food production? How does reliance on food
production affect the social, economic, and political organization of societies that practice it?
Based on the various articles that we have read as well as that presented by Schultz and
Lavenda on the status and role of women in society, contrast the status of women in hunting and
gathering societies with that of women in both industrial and post industrial society. How does
women's participation in economic activities affect their status? How is their status in these
different types of society related to the way in which they are treated or mistreated?
It has been argued that understanding other cultures that are very different from our own from
their point of view—seeing the world from their eyes—may be easier than understanding the
microcultures present within our own culture, particularly when it comes to issues of gender and
race. Based on the readings, class discussion, and/or the videos as well as your own life
experiences, discuss how our perceptions of gender and/or race (indicated by white and/or male
privilege) may prevent us from seeing the discrimination that exists.
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