The following are study-guide mid-term essay questions which previous students in this course have submitted for review purposes. The essay on the exam will require you to address two authors chosen from a list of four. You will have to write one essay from a choice of two questions. The essay will be worth 75 points.

Note: In the questions below, authors separated by a slash will count as just one example; you can discuss one or both of those authors, but, either way, that counts as just one of your two examples.

In thinking through possible answers for these questions in preparation for the mid-term, pay particular attention to formulating a clear, interesting, and arguable thesis statement. For more information about thesis statements and some examples, see the writing assignments handout.

1. Using two of the authors which we have read, discuss the methods that they used in their anthropological study and point out the flaws in each of their arguments. Use specific references to the information and techniques that may have skewed their final conclusions. Who was the best at describing culture, and why? Choose from: Malinowski, Mead, Geertz, and Rabinow

2. In what ways can anthropology be viewed as a science? Who supports this claim and what evidence do they use to support it? Choose two of the following -- Boas/Kroeber (as described in Starn), Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead/Freeman, Morgan/Tylor, and Rabinow/Geertz -- and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their models in terms of their approach to anthropology as a science. Is science an appropriate model for anthropology? Why or why not?

3. How have two anthropologists explored (or not explored) the issue of cultural change over time? Based on their studies, how would you explain the concept of culture? Choose from the following authors: Starn, Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead/Freeman, Geertz/Rabinow

4. Culture has been defined and approached in numerous ways throughout the history of anthropology. Choosing two of the various authors we have read, discuss two anthropologists from different time periods and compare their approaches to the concept of culture. What difficulties has each encountered, and what problems remain? Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead/Freeman, Geertz/Rabinow

5. How do anthropologists become accepted members of the societies they study? What are the strengths and weaknesses of having insider status and developing friendships within the society? Use three of the following: Kondo, Geertz, Rabinow, Mead/Freeman.

6. In your own words, define anthropology and discuss how your definition relates to two different anthropologists we have studied: Boas/Kroeber, Malinowski/Rappaport, Geertz/Rabinow, Mead/Freeman.

7. Based on those we have looked at so far, which type of fieldwork do you think is the most accurate overall? Cite examples from at least two of the anthropologists we have studied (Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead, Rabinow, Starn).

8. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of anthropology we have studied (i.e. functionalism, experimental anthroplogy, culture as texts)? Use 2 authors to support your answer.

9. In this course, we've seen that each generation of anthropologists responds to the work of the previous generation, either by supporting it or by attempting to refute it. Discuss with reference to two anthropologists we have studied. What does this say about the nature of doing fieldwork and the field of anthropology as a whole? Boas/Kroeber, Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead/Freeman, Rabinow

10. How has nature versus nurture been argued by the anthropologists we have studied? How has this debate fueled the development of anthropology? Boas/Kroeber, Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead/Freeman, Rabinow

11. Discuss the conflicts between objectivity and subjectivity while doing fieldwork. How should anthropology approach the dilemmas raised by subjectivity and objectivity? Boas/Kroeber, Malinowski/Kondo, Mead/Freeman, Rabinow/Geertz

12. While doing fieldwork, many anthropologists form relationships with their informants. Using examples from at least two different authors, explain the different types of relationships between anthropologists and their informants. How and why do these relationships affect the work of the anthropologists? Boas/Kroeber, Malinowski/Kondo, Mead/Freeman, Rabinow/Geertz

13. You have been assigned to study the culture of an indigenous group of people on a small island off the coast of Africa. Briefly discuss two approaches you could take to study this group of people, being sure to inlcude advantages and disadvantages of each. Which approach do you choose in the end, and why? Boas/Kroeber, Malinowski/Rappaport, Mead/Freeman, Rabinow/Geertz

For more information, contact:  aleshkow@holycross.edu