Essays and Research Papers on Anthropology

9 pages on biologically determined behaviors and the nature vs. nurture controversy. Writer finds that many of our more common behaviors do indeed find their roots in biology. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 7 page paper responds to a series of questions on the topic of cultural anthropology. More specifically, this paper addresses issues such as how biology remains important to the cultural anthropologist, what definitions of culture leave out, how globalization has impacted the history of people, and more. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page overview of the lives and circumstances of five members of a poor Mexican family in Mexico City in the 1960s. Plagued by poverty, the challenges of living in the corrupt and unpredictable environment of one of the world’s largest cities, and just the incredibly fragile relations which occur within a typical ...

A 6 page overview of Margaret Mead. The paper includes a brief biography then focuses on the controversy about her work initiated by Freeman's book about her. Freeman made numerous allegations, all of which were intended to discount Mead's work in Samoa and conclusions about that culture. Some of the allegations are discussed with the ...

This 3 page paper includes a brief biography of the author and then the paper goes into an overview of the book. Some quotes are included. No additional sources cited.

A 10 page discussion of facial expression. Utilizes the research in the field to explore the question of whether or not certain facial expressions are universal in their meaning, e.g. that they have the same meaning regardless of the cultural context. Contrasts the view that facial expression are solely cultural manifestations and thus ...

A 6 page research paper in which the writer examines the phenomena of America's love for ice cream as well as some of the inner-working of companies such as Ben & Jerry's and the efforts that these mega-enterprises have made to ensure quality human resources and low turnover. Bibliography lists approximately 4 sources.

An in-depth, 20 page look at non-verbal environments and their impact upon us. The writer specifically examines how background & foregrounds, windowless environments, weather, odors, etc; can either positively or negatively impact productivity in the business world. Bibliography lists approximately 20 scholarly sources.

A 4 page book review of Gary Ferraro's text The Culture Dimension of International Business (2003). Ferraro first lays out the need to understand other cultures on a practical level, defining culture and showing how the interplay of anthropological theory and business is crucial to success in the global marketplace. He then takes a fourfold ...

A 12 page research paper that analyzes two books by anthropologist Sidney W. Mintz—Worker in the Cane and Sweetness and Power. The writer discusses the relationship between the two works and what they communicate to the public concerning the opinions of Mintz. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper on Chinese families, comparing contemporary situations with traditional. The writer details Chinese wedding customs, gender power, patriarchy and the traditional family structure juxtaposed in modern life. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 11 page paper explores the religion of Voodoo as well as it's depiction in the modern setting in movies and the writings of Zora Neale Hurston. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

An 8 page overview of each of these fascinating religions. The author discusses the importance of the environment as a factor in shaping the evolution of Native American Religions, then goes on to provide a brief overview of the beliefs and ideologies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Bibliography lists 11 sources. ...

A 5 page research paper that describes an interview conducted by the writer/tutor with a member of the Moravian church. The paper focuses on the interview as an anthropological process, describing what was learned about the interviewee's religious beliefs and what it means to be a Moravian. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page paper which presents and supports the contention that religious rituals have meaning only in the context of the culture in which they evolved. The observations of a young girl who has traveled to the U.S. from a third world country are presented as evidence of this contention. The young girl ...

A 7 page paper on how art and religion have been blended throughout known history and how this applies to cultural anthropology. The paper discusses how religion and art are means of expressing cultural beliefs, means of teaching societal norms, and means of progressing society. The writer argues that cultural variation/progression impacts the evolutionary scheme ...

A 4 page paper which examines the tribal religion of the Andamanese culture. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

10 pages in length. The study of animal sacrifice in other religions lends insight to the teachings of sacrifice in the Old Testament in that it often correlates with the concept set forth by biblical instruction. Animals have been looked upon as sacrificial for a number of religions that utilize their flesh and bodily fluids ...

This 35 page paper gives an in depth analysis of the ancient Mayan religions, deities, culture, and current practices. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page paper which discusses the role of language, symbols, and religion in shaping cultural influences. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 15 page overview on the history and ways of the Chickasaw Indians. The writer describes the Chickasaw people in terms of culture, religion and also in relationship to the United States Government. Bibliography lists 14 sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing the various ways in which African American slaves had to suffer from cultural dislocation. The African American slaves suffered a great deal from cultural dislocation from their native homeland in Africa for over two centuries. Cultural dislocation occurs not only from a physical separation from a landscape but ...

An 8 page paper discussing the ease with which the Hopi religion and oral tradition has persisted over the centuries. 'Wrong headedness' is a condition that the Hopi are not to have. They are to adhere to the admonishings and warnings of ages to come given by the ancient ones. Because the oral traditions ...

A 10 page research paper on the culture of modern Greece. The writer explores the gender roles, ethnicity, language, and religion, and other important influences in modern Greek society. Specific examples of Greek ritual and tradition are provided. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 5 page research paper briefly exploring the American and Polish cultures. The emphases in the essay include: religion, family, children and teenagers. There are far more similarities between the two cultures than one would expect given their respective political backgrounds. Extensive bibliography is included.