The objective of this writing assignment is to have students explore the use of the comparative method in cultural anthropology. Read carefully Chapter 11 in the Custom Reader and answer the questions below in a 5 page typed essay, Times New Roman 12 pt font, 1” margins, using an Introduction, Body, Conclusion structure. When you cite the author’s work, include in your essay the page number in parentheses following the quotation or the paraphrased idea.
Harris pays special attention to Melanesian big man potlatching to make his case for why Kwakiutl potlatching is best understood in terms of economizing status and prestige through giving away material wealth.
1. Summarize his argument
2. Provide examples
3. Explain how this “materialist” interpretation of the phenomena differs from the “idealist” interpretation of Ruth Benedict
4. Then
take a side and argue for either the materialist or the idealist perspective in
answering the last discussion question at the end of the potlatch article. “How
do people in the
1. Essay Organization (how well you answer #1 above)
Provides clear and concise summary in introduction and conclusion 8-10
Provides a summary in introduction and conclusion, but not articulated well 4-7
Provides no clear summary in introduction or conclusion 0-3
2. Anthropological examples (how well you answer #2 above)
Examples for Melanesian big man potlatching, Kwakiutl potlatching, and US 8-10
Two examples 4-7
One example 1-3
No examples 0
3. Explanation of materialist vs. idealist approaches (how well you answer #3 above)
Clearly identifies differences and presents relevant evidence 9-10
Adequately identifies differences, but presents weak relevant evidence 7-8
Discusses superficial differences and presents no relevant evidence 5-6
Discusses inaccurate differences 3-4
Refers vaguely to differences and/or misses more than one 1-2
Discusses no differences 0
4. Taking a side, forming an argument (how well you answer #4 above)
Answered question with well formed argument 8-10
Answered question with weak argument 3-7
Failed to answer question but did provide an argument 1-2
Did not answer question nor provide an argument 0
Distinguishment of Article and Personal Perspective
Distinguishes clearly article's perspective from one's own perspective 4-5
Distinguishes adequately article's perspective from one's own perspective 2-3
Marginal attempt to distinguish article's perspective from one's own perspective 1
No attempt to distinguish article's perspective from one's own perspective 0
Punctuation and Grammar
0 – 2 errors 5
3 – 5 errors 4
6 – 8 errors 3
9 – 12 errors 2
12 – 15 errors 1
16 or more errors 0
Total points possible 50