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Personal Kinship Chart
In this in-class activity, students will learn the basics of kinship charts by constructing one for their own family, with themselves as ego. (Alternatively, students may choose to diagram a fictional family from literature, TV, or movies.) This should be relatively easy with linked resources and instructor assistance.
Why do cultural anthropologists rely on kinship charts? What benefits do symbols offer over named kin terms?
The Rich Also Cry: Anthropological Analysis
For this project, students will attempt to translate a melodramatic telenovela into an academic description of kinship, marriage, and family.
- First, reread the synopsis of The Rich Also Cry at the beginning of chapter 17.
- Next, students will have the unusual challenge of intentionally making a story less exciting. As we say in the book, dark family secrets, suspicious spouses, unruly children, irresponsible parents, and possible incest make for gripping television!
- Can you rewrite this story from the objective perspective of an ethnographer (less sexiness, more fact), using as many anthropological terms and concepts as possible?
- For example, the opening sentence, which reads “A beautiful and poor young woman named Mariana becomes a maid for a rich and powerful family,” can be rewritten as “Mariana has two X chromosomes (female). She also associates with the gender identity woman. She is considered sexually attractive based on local, culturally constructed standards of beauty. Mariana is a member of the lower economic class of her highly stratified society.” And so on.
Looking at Kinship and Families from Different Positions on in One’s Life
Have your students conduct two short interviews: one of a roommate or close friend to find out how rich a kinship chart they can provide off the top of their head, inquiring specifically about which people they have had frequent contact with. Then have them connect with a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle to get the same kind of information by a middle-aged or older person. Have students reflect on the different kinship networks for these two related individuals. Who is more in touch with their family members, and who knows more kin? Why are their respective perceptions of the family so different?
Gender Is Everywhere
Culture consists of processes that make the artificial seem natural. One example of this truism is the fact that gender tends to be invisible, yet all around us.
For this project, students will choose a public place for their fieldwork. Then spend some time observing that location for clues about the gender roles, norms, and stereotypes of our society. Some clues will be obvious; others might be more subtle.
How many clues can your students document in their environment? What do they reveal about gender in American culture?
Cultural Perceptions of Sexuality
Same-sex marriage has been a controversial political issue in the United States recently. Public perception of same-sex unions is shaped by history, religion, norms, and many other features of local culture. Some cultures are far more accepting of same-sex sexuality than others—and there is even considerable geographic variation within the United States.
For this project, assign students a selection of about three contemporary nation-states. Ideally, the selected countries should represent different points along the “tolerance spectrum.” For example, Sweden, the United States, and Uganda will illustrate variation. Ask students to research these three countries and compare their norms, laws, and general cultural attitudes toward sexuality. What differences are apparent?
Gender in the Movies
Films usually reflect the cultural assumptions of their makers and intended audience. As a result, we can learn a lot about a society based on the movies it produces—in this case, gender.
The Bechdel Test (http://bechdeltest.com/) was designed as a way to evaluate the gender balance of popular movies. The test consists of three simple questions:
- Does the movie have at least two named female characters?
- Do the female characters talk to one another?
- Do they discuss a topic other than men?
You might be surprised to learn how many American films failthis test! As a class activity, ask students to name their favorite movie. Then apply the Bechdel Test to each movie. How many pass?