Anthropologists will often conduct research to objectively evaluate cultural practices. Cultural anthropology is the branch of anthropology that deals specifically with human culture. Studying cultural anthropology provides a great amount of insight into other cultures. It can also shed light on and create a deeper understanding and appreciation of one’s own culture. For example, is the culture that you are observing similar to your own culture? If so, you might not even recognize cultural nuances, because they seem “normal” to you. On the other hand, if you see behavior or hear language and slang that you do not recognize, it is likely because the culture differs from your own.
In this course, you were introduced to cultural anthropology and the anthropological concepts that are used to study and understand people, their culture, and their behavior. In the final project film study, you will have the chance to become a cultural anthropologist. The film study is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of what culture is, the role it plays in people’s lives, as well as how it influences behavior. In order to do so, you will need to recognize and describe the culture portrayed in the film and discuss cultural values and norms that you observe. You will use anthropological concepts to analyze and explain the behavior of characters, or conflict between the characters, in your chosen film. You will also compare the cultures represented in the film to your own culture.
Select one film from the approved film list. You may select a different film with instructor approval.
Select three of the following anthropological core concepts to discuss in your film study:
Acculturation
Assimilation
Cultural Symbols/Symbolism
Enculturation
Ethnocentrism
Gender
Globalization
Kinship
Marriage
Modernization
Political Systems/Power
Religion/Systems of Belief
Rites of Passage
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Articulate observations about the role of culture in human societies for how it influences the human condition
Utilize basic anthropological concepts in explaining the beliefs, practices, and cultural norms of different cultures
Apply basic practices of cultural anthropologists for interpreting interactions between individuals or groups
Utilize the basic principles of cultural relativism when observing and interpreting other cultures and subcultures