Anthropology 4
Spring 2001
Professor Varisco
e-mail me at socdmv@hofstra.edu
 
 A4 WEB CRITIQUE

This webpage contains a variety of links related to issues discussed in class. It is by no means exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the accuracy of any of the sites. I will periodically update this page. If you find interesting sites, let me know the url.

 

Last Update 1/24/01

 
GUIDELINES FOR WEB CRITIQUE
 1. ANTHROPOLOGY OVERVIEW

SEARCH ANTHROPOLOGY ON THE WEB

ANTHROPOLOGY RESOURCES ON THE WEB

CAREERS IN ANTHROPOLOGY

CULTURE

 2. ETHNOGRAPHY

KINSHIP

ON-LINE ETHNOGRAPHIES

3. COURSE ISSUES

CIRCUMCISION

CULTURE SHOCK

ETHICS

ETHNOCENTRISM

EXOTIC OTHER AND CANNIBALISM

HUMAN EVOLUTION

IMMIGRATION

SEX AND GENDER

TONGA

YANOMAMO CONTROVERSY

YEMEN

4. ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS

FIELDNOTES

GENEALOGY RESEARCH

INTERVIEWS

5. PHOTOS AND IMAGES

6. SATIRE

TRY THESE FOR FUN

GUIDELINES FOR WEB CRITIQUE
 
BACKGROUND:
The guidelines for your A4 Web Critique are given below. You must write a report of about 750-800 words (3-4 pages), which is due no later than May 9, the last day of class. You may hand in a draft through May 2 for comments without a grade. I will try to return my comments by the next class period. I strongly encourage you to send me drafts rather than wait to the last minute.
 
CRITERIA: (Keep in mind the following points in critiquing the sites.)
 
• What can you learn about the person or group that put the site together? Are you able to tell if it is a reputable person or mainstream organization? Are the names of the writers or creators indicated and do they solicit feedback? Try to contact an email address for feedback and indicate what happens.
 
• Who is the site directed to? Is it trying to convert you to an idea? Do you think it has a commercial interest (trying to get money from you)?
 
• What do you find the most useful aspect of the site? How user-friendly is it?
 
• From your perspective, do you find any bias, misleading or erroneous information on the site? Do you find information that contradicts or confirms what you have learned in class? If so, what is the response of the site webmasters if you are able to send your comments or criticism?
 
• Find something specific on the site that relates to the course material or discussion. Discuss what you find and relate it directly to examples from the course or class discussion.
 
GRADING: 6 points
 
level of effort
(1) adequate (2) impressive
relates material to class readings, films and lectures
(1) adequate (2) impressive
"critical" assessment of site and its content
(1) adequate (2) impressive
 
DIRECTIONS: Complete all three parts of the critique, keeping in mind the points mentioned above. Please note that I do not necessarily endorse the websites in this assignment but present them here for you to critique.
 
1. Select one option from the three (A, B, or C) in the list below and answer the question. You are encouraged to look at all the sites in this section and then pick the one you are most interested in. Do you see evidence that the site was put together by an anthropologist? Use course material to make your argument.
 
A. Read the article and answer the following question: How did Rosaldo's own ethnographic fieldwork help him distinguish between "cultural relativism" and "ethical relativism"?
• of headhunters and soldiers: separating cultural and ethical relativism (Rosado) http://www.scu.edu/SCU/Centers/Ethics/publications/iie/v11n1/relativism.html
 
B.  Read the article and answer the following questions: On the basis of the course material, examine Dean's argument that "morality" is not a product of culture? How does this argument square with what anthropologists say?
• Dialogue - The Moral Law and Cultural Relativism http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/mischedj/ca_cultrelativism.html
 
C. Based on what you have learned in this course, explain the cultural reasons for "circumcision" in both these cases. 
• Circumcision South Korean Style http://www.pop119.com/
• Female Genital Mutilation: An Issue of Cultural Relativism or Human Rights?[Jacqueline Castledine] http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/jc.htm
  
2. Select one of the websites below and compare the ethnographic methods used with examples from the class materials. Give specific examples.
 
3. Compare the two sites below and discuss your views, based on the sites and the course material, about the "Yanonamo controversy"? Do you think Chagnon violated ethics in his research? [For more background on this issue, click here.]
  
 1. ANTHROPOLOGY OVERVIEW
SEARCH ANTHROPOLOGY ON THE WEB
ANTHROPOLOGY RESOURCES ON THE WEB
CAREERS IN ANTHROPOLOGY
CULTURE
 2. ETHNOGRAPHY
KINSHIP
ON-LINE ETHNOGRAPHIES
 
3. COURSE ISSUES
CIRCUMCISION
CULTURE SHOCK
 
ETHICS
ETHNOCENTRISM
EXOTIC OTHER AND CANNIBALISM
HUMAN EVOLUTION
IMMIGRATION
SEX AND GENDER
TONGA
YANOMAMO CONTROVERSY
 
YEMEN
5. ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS
FIELDNOTES
GENEALOGY RESEARCH
For a good place to begin learning about how to find information on family history and about similar ethnic groups, see http://www.CyndisList.com/beginner.htm.
INTERVIEWS
5. PHOTOS AND IMAGES
 
6. SATIRE
TRY THESE FOR FUN ...
 
Anthropology in the News (links to recent popular articles)
http://www.tamu.edu/anthropology/news.html
 
Classic of Out(land)ish Anthropology
http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/anthropology/classics.html
 
Epeli Hau'ofa - Digital Liaisons in Headspace
http://arts.abc.net.au/headspace/liaisons/hauofa.htm
 
The Museum of Weird Consumer Culture
http://www.indiana.edu/~wanthro/museum.htm
 
Review of Krippendorf's Tribe
http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/pre2000/i-krippendorf.html