Project Paper

The final project for this course is divided into two parts. Part A is the creation of an interview preparation document. Part B involves the creation of an interview transcript or recording. This document provides instruction for Part B.

Researchers have developed a multitude of tools over the last century that highlight our personal and cultural identities in a broad-reaching field called anthropology. The field of anthropology investigates everything human in order to capture the diverse beliefs, practices, experiences, and subtle nuances that make humans truly human. From the social sciences to the biological and physical sciences, anthropology implements a wide array of lenses to evaluate why and how we are as similar as we are different to one another. Whether we are interviewing for a new position or meeting the in-laws at a family get-together, gaining a preliminary introduction to anthropology allows insight into how people structure their basic beliefs and practices.

In this assessment, you will encounter a simulated crisis situation that requires an anthropological response. You will play the part of an anthropologist who has firsthand knowledge and experience working in a biological, environmental, and cultural disaster situation. Also, you have real-world field experience personally working with this affected group and are well versed in their history and complex system of beliefs and practices. As such, you have been asked to respond to the crisis situation in an interview. The assessment will be divided into two parts. In Part A, you will prepare for the interview, defining anthropology and reflecting on its importance to the world. In Part B, you will participate in the interview, answering the reporter’s questions. Not only will the reporter’s questions appear, but you will also receive guidance in the form of an example document (Final Project Part B Sample) so you know exactly what is needed to fully answer the question.

Crisis situations that you may choose from are listed below.

1. Plastic Wars 2. Battle for Hong Kong 3. COVID’s Hidden Toll 4. Blackout in Puerto Rico 5. Ebola in Congo 6. Right to Fail 7. Coal’s Deadly Dust 8. Flint’s Deadly Water

Part A consists of one milestone, which is submitted in Module Two, and one final submission, which occurs in Module Four.

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Part B consists of two milestones and one final submission. The milestones for Part B occur in Modules Three and Five. The final submission for Part B occurs in Module Seven.

In the final project as a whole (Parts A and B), you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

 Explain the importance of historical influences on contemporary anthropology and human cultures  Select basic anthropological methods for making connections that explain the human condition  Explain the relationship between social relationships, systems of belief, and identity using various perspectives in the fiel d  Explain the value of applying objectivity in anthropological research when dealing with the cultural identities of diverse past and contemporary peoples  Explain the importance of utilizing an anthropological perspective for problem solving in real-world situations

Prompt

You have already defined and discussed the significance of anthropology, so now you are prepared to jump into the interview and really get at the heart of the crisis situation you have chosen. In this scenario, imagine that a reporter is asking you the questions listed below. In crafting your response, you must address all the aspects of the question represented as “Your Response.” You will answer each piece titled “Your Response” to ensure you are appropriately and accurately answering the question the reporter has posed. You may either submit your responses in the form of a transcript, or you may create an audio recording of your answers.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Cultural Diversity: In this section, you will explain the importance of understanding and being sensitive to cultural diversity. a) Reporter: What is so important that we understand cultural diversity in a time like this? Who cares if we’re all different? What does it matter

anyway? 1. Your Response: Provide an example of human sociocultural identity related to gender. For example, when many people think of

farmers, they think of males. 2. Your Response: Provide an example of human sociocultural identity related to human behavior. For example, when many people

think of children, they think of specific behaviors that they exhibit, such as crying, playing, or loving. 3. Your Response: Provide an example of human sociocultural identity related to animals. For example, when people think of geese,

they think of a flock. b) Reporter: Human culture might seem more complex than I initially imagined, so how does it relate to the crisis we’ve witnessed here?

1. Your Response: Describe what some anthropologists can do to help when crises such as these occur. How are they able to navigate crises, such as containing them and informing human cultures, while balancing sensitivity to cultural beliefs and practices? What is the importance of doing so?

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II. Anthropological Methods: In this section, you will speak as though you are an anthropologist investigating the crisis. You will describe the anthropological methods you would need to use to investigate the crisis, and explain how you believe people would react to yo u investigating the crisis.

a) Reporter: Alright, can you explain to the audience how you came to this conclusion? 1. Your Response: Of the multiple research methods discussed throughout the course, such as excavation, ethnology, and ethnography,

select an appropriate method for investigating this crisis, and explain why this method is appropriate. b) Reporter: How did these people let you study them? Why did they let you? You most likely upset them, right?

1. Your Response: What types of reactions might you receive from studying this group of people and gathering data by the ways you described? Provide specific examples of both positive and negative reactions.

2. Your Response: Explain why an objective lens is important when studying a group of people. How might this lens help calm the fears of the group of people you are studying?

III. Cultural Connections: In this section, you will make connections between cultural factors and the likelihood of the crisis occurring in your own culture. If the crisis has already occurred in your own culture, explain how the specific cultural, biological, or environmental factors allowed this to occur.

a) Reporter: Do you think this crisis could happen here, to us? 1. Your Response: Explain how specific cultural factors in your culture could or could not allow this crisis to occur, identifying specific

factors. 2. Your Response: Explain the how specific biological factors in your family could or could not allow this crisis to occur, identifying

specific factors. 3. Your Response: Explain how specific environmental factors in your environment could or could not allow this crisis to occur,

identifying specific factors.

IV. Predictions: In this section, you will explain how an anthropological perspective can assist in future crises. a) Reporter: Do you think there is anything that could have informed these people of the crisis? I would hate to think that this could hav e been

recognized and prevented earlier. 1. Your Response: How can an anthropologist use people’s history to help change the future? Think specifically about the power and

importance of historical events, beliefs, and practices in relation to the present, providing real-world examples of the connection between the past and present.

b) Reporter: Now, I can bet there are people at home that are scared. So, how can you, as an anthropologist, help in preventing this crisis from happening to us?

Your Response: Explain the value of an anthological lens when creating preventive a ction plans. Specifically, why are an objective lens and cultural sensitivity important when creating preventive action plans?

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c) Reporter: Finally, do you still enjoy being an anthropologist throughout this apparent chaos? I mean, how has being an anthropologist helped you out personally?

1. Your Response: How has anthropology helped you better understand the human condition, and how might this help you in your personal and professional life?

Milestones

Final Project Part B Milestone One: Choose a Crisis Situation In Module Three, you will select the crisis situation that you will use for your final submission of Final Project Part B. You will need to explain what crisis situation you chose and why. This milestone will be graded with the Final Project Part B Milestone One Rubric.

Final Project Part B Milestone Two: Interview Transcript Outline In Module Five, you will submit an outline of Final Project Part B (Interview Transcript or Recording). In this part of the final project, you will address the categories of cultural diversity, anthropological methods, cultural connections, and predictions of how anthropology can be useful in a future crisis. Whether you choose to answer the final project interview questions in written or audio format, preparing a written draft will help you formulate and strengthen your answers. This will also give you practice in learning to see the crisis situation that you chose from an anthropological viewpoint and allow your instructor to give any feedback or suggestions to fortify your interview before your final project is due. Use the critical elements listed above to guide your response. This milestone will be graded with the Final Project Part B Milestone Two Rubric.

Final Project Part B Submission: Interview Transcript or Recording In Module Seven, you will submit Final Project Part B (Interview Transcript or Recording). It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Part B Rubric.

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Final Project Part B Rubric

Guidelines for Submission: You have the option of submitting an interview transcript or interview recording. The interview transcript should be 4–6 pages in length and should use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. If you choose to submit an interview recording in place of the interview transcript, it must be 10 to 15 minutes in length and should be submitted using the Audio Feature in Brightspace.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Cultural Diversity:

Gender Meets “Proficient” criteria, and example demonstrates a nuanced understanding of sociocultural identity

Provides an example of human sociocultural identity using examples related to gender

Provides an example of human sociocultural identity, but example is not related to gender, or with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not provide an example of human sociocultural identity using examples related to gender

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Cultural Diversity: Human Behavior

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and example demonstrates a nuanced understanding of sociocultural identity

Provides an example of human sociocultural identity using examples related to human behavior

Provides an example of human sociocultural identity, but example is not related to human behavior, or with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not provide an example of human sociocultural identity using examples related to human behavior

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Cultural Diversity: Animals

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and example demonstrates a nuanced understanding of sociocultural identity

Provides an example of human sociocultural identity using examples related to animals

Provides an example of human sociocultural identity, but example is not related to animals, or with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not provide an example of human sociocultural identity using examples related to animals

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Cultural Diversity: Crises

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and description demonstrates keen insight into the value of an anthropological perspective during crises

Describes how anthropologists can navigate crises while balancing sensitivity to cultural beliefs and practices, as well as the importance of doing so

Describes how anthropologists can navigate crises while balancing sensitivity to cultural beliefs and practices but does not describe the importance, or description has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not describe how anthropologists can navigate crises while balancing sensitivity to cultural beliefs and practices

3.6

Anthropological Methods: Appropriate

Method

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and selected method is especially well aligned with the crisis

Selects an appropriate method for investigating the crisis, explaining why this method is appropriate

Selects an appropriate method for investigating the crisis but does not explain why the method is appropriate, explanation has gaps in detail or accuracy, or selection is inappropriate

Does not select an appropriate method for investigating the crisis

3.6

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Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Anthropological

Methods: Reactions Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates keen insight into the complexity of studying people

Describes the types of reactions that may be received when studying the group of people

Describes the types of reactions that may be received when studying the group of people, with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not describe the types of reactions that may be received when studying the group of people

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Anthropological Methods: Objective

Lens

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates keen insight into the importance of an objective lens

Explains why an objective lens is important when studying a group of people and how it may help calm fears of the people studied

Explains why an objective lens is important when studying a group of people but does not explain how it may help calm fears of the people studied, with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain why an objective lens is important when studying a group of people

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Cultural Connections: Cultural Factors

Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates keen insight into the relationship between cultural factors and the crisis

Explains how specific cultural factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur, identifying specific factors

Explains how specific cultural factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur, but does not identify specific factors, or explanation has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain how specific cultural factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur

3.6

Cultural Connections: Biological Factors

Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a keen insight into the relationship between biological factors and crisis

Explains how specific biological factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur, identifying specific factors

Explains how specific biological factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur, but does not identify specific factors, or explanation has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain how specific biological factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur

3.6

Cultural Connections: Environmental Factors

Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates keen insight into the relationship between environmental factors and crisis

Explains how specific environmental factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur, identifying specific factors

Explains how specific environmental factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur, but does not identify specific factors, or explanation has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain how specific environmental factors could or could not allow the crisis to occur

3.6

Predictions: History Meets “Proficient” criteria, and examples illustrate insight into the power and importance of history in relation to the present

Describes how an anthropologist can use people’s history to help change the future, providing real-world examples that connect the past to the present

Describes how an anthropologist can use people’s history to help change the future but does not provide real-world examples that connect the past to the present, or description has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not describe how an anthropologist can use people’s history to help change the future

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Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Predictions:

Preventive Action Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates keen insight into the value of an objective lens and cultural sensitivity

Explains why an objective lens and cultural sensitivity are important when creating preventive action plans

Explains why an objective lens and cultural sensitivity are important when creating preventive action plans, with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain why an objective lens and cultural sensitivity are important when creating preventive action plans

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Predictions: Personal and Professional Life

Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates keen insight into the value of an anthropological perspective in personal and professional lives

Explains the value of anthropology in understanding the human condition, and how it may help in the personal and professional life

Explains the value of anthropology in understanding the human condition but not how it may help in the personal and professional life, or explanation has gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain the value of anthropology in understanding the human condition

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Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to grammar, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional manner

Submission has no major errors related to grammar, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to grammar, syntax, or organization that negatively impact articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to grammar, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

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Total 100%