Discussion Questions
Discussion questions are weekly sets of questions based on assigned sets of readings. You will be asked to respond to several questions per set. You will be graded on answering all questions, how well you answer the questions, and use of examples from the textbooks and/or Internet sources.
Each set are worth 20 points each. A total of 160 points are possible for the semester. You may be tempted to skip a set here or there thinking oh 20 points not such a big deal, but believe me these points here or there can really make a difference!
Discussion question sets are labeled discussion questions #1, #2 etc. See weekly schedule link for due dates but usually discussion questions are due every Sunday by 11:00 p.m. of the week they are scheduled but double check the schedule as that may change toward the end of the semester. Late questions are not accepted for any reason and you will receive a zero for that assignment.
These questions are designed to help you understand what I want you to know from your readings, as well as well as to help you tie the articles and chapters together. Discussion questions can be turned in either as an email, or as an attachment to an email using Microsoft word saved as a .doc file, Microsoft Works saved as an .rtf file OR Adobe saved as a .PDF file. If you are using a MAC please make sure you save all attachments as an .rtf file. If you have windows vista I cannot open the default so make sure you do a save as and save it as a .doc NOT a .docx (Please note Short Papers must be turned in as an attachment). Please be sure to save all your work!! If something is missing or there is a question it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to have a back up copy!
I will grade your questions and then respond with comments over email. The comments are designed to correct misinformation and to help you further understand your responses to the readings. If you receive a grade, but no specific comments, this means the information you gave was correct and thorough. Read my comments carefully, they will help you in future assignments and should help you prepare for the quizzes.
A typical question: "Define the subfield cultural anthropology. Which of the other three sub fields does it most resemble and why?"
Bad answer: Cultural anthropology is one of the four subfields that studies cultures. It might be linked to linguistics.
Better answer: Cultural anthropology is one of the four subfields that studies the culture of people. It is important to study things like how everyone practices marriage to see how we are all similar. It might be related to linguistics.
Best answer: Cultural anthropology is one of the four subfields that studies the culture of people. Since human beings are almost completely reliant upon culture it is important to study how we learn it, how it is transmitted and the results it has on our lives. If we look at every ones culture we can see how we are similar which will help groups be less ethnocentric. The closest subfield is linguistics. Since linguistics is the study of language and culture is driven by language, it is important to study linguistics to see how we learn culture.