SLS 260-03
Perspectives on the Social Order
Fall, 2005
Oral Report 2: Using the eHRAF database to research stratification in a culture. Due: Oct. 13, 2005 Points: 50
This assignment involves using a qualitative database to research the nature of a particular culture and its stratification. Divide into teams of three and select a culture from the list below. The first team to e-mail or hand me a sheet of paper with their names and the culture's name on it will have permission to research that culture. You should have a second and third choice as well just in case another group has already requested your first choice.
In doing your research you should use the Electronic Human Relations Area Files. The eHRAF is a database that includes ethnographic studies done by anthropologists of cultures from all parts of the world. The website address is accessible through the MC Library webpage. Once you arrive at the website click on "Browse." Then, click on "Browse Cultures." This should give you a list of many of the available cultures either by region or alphabetically by name. In addition, you can use the search capability as demonstrated in class.
The content of your research should include two things: first, determine the type of stratification system that the culture has or had; second, provide a general overview of the culture. Use the material from the PowerPoint presentation on “Anthropology and Stratification” as a guide for types of stratification systems. Anthropologists divide cultures into three types of stratification: egalitarian, rank, and stratified. Try to determine which of these types of societies your culture fits by looking at the characteristics they have and comparing the culture’s characteristics with the PowerPoint. If you have any difficulty, you can ask me for assistance. In order to provide a general overview of the culture, gather information about how the culture obtains food (the economic institution), how it makes decisions (the political institution), the family and kinship structure, and religion. If there is anything unique, unusual, or interesting about the culture, also include that information.
Your
team should provide a joint presentation to class of 6-9 minutes teaching the
class about your culture. You may use
PowerPoint or overheads. All members of
the team should participate in the oral presentation. Practice your presentation ahead of time, so that you will feel
more comfortable during your presentation.
Steps: