From the Paper "Money did not have a single origin but developed independently in many different parts of the world. Many factors contributed to its development and if evidence of what anthropologists have learned about primitive money is anything to go by economic factors were not the most important."
Abstract This paper talks about the communal identity of the blacks that helped them become stronger and more powerful during the hardships of the 1930s. The picture of ?Mrs. Mary Willis,? by Jack Delano, represents a strong and determined black woman, not needing any type of help or support, and able to deal with the adversities of the economic crash and the natural disaster of the Dust Bowl. On the other hand, Richard Wright's article, ?Joe Louis Uncovers Dynamite,? represents the communal identity of the blacks, and how unstoppable and overpowering they can be once they come together as a collective group. The paper discusses how the blacks were represented differently by different people, why Delano portrayed blacks as powerful individuals, while Wright portrayed blacks as having a potential identity as a community that could have an impact in their social status during the 1930s.
From the Paper "Miller's theory rests heavily from what he calls ?making love in the supermarket.? Through his investigation he observes housewives (as his subjects were predominantly female members of a traditional nuclear family) that often exert great energy to please their family or convert their tastes to ones believed to be more healthy or beneficial. With this Miller sees a dominant other-centeredness, over a perhaps more expected self-centeredness, that may only be explained by a broad sense of love: ?it is love that can satisfactorily legitimate their devotion to this work.?"
Abstract This paper begins with Weber's account of the existence and persistence of asceticism within the development of capitalism in the west, thus providing a backdrop for the elucidation of Veblen's instinct of workmanship. The two concepts converge when one's "industry and frugality" meets the other's ?bias toward serviceability and not waste.? The paper uses this juncture to compare asceticism and the instinct of workmanship and follow Weber and Veblen's separate paths on the road toward a modern capitalism. While there are some similarities along the way, they arrive at somewhat different conclusions.
From the Paper "Within Economy and Society and The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Weber explicitly discusses the crucial role of a specific type of asceticism in the development of modern occidental capitalism. Within a religious context he characterizes (he admits, particularly and narrowly) the "ascetic" as one with a "methodical procedure for achieving religious salvation" (Weber 1978: 541). Given this portrayal, with its emphasis on salvation, the world in which the ascetic exists, and subsequently moves beyond, assumes a distinct centrality. The world from a religious perspective is the social sphere of mankind that is intrinsically saturated with temptation?those "ethically irrational" sensual pleasures and the concomitant proclivities toward "complacent self-sufficiency and self-righteousness" that are counterproductive to the divine accomplishments necessary for salvation (1978: 542). As a Weberian ascetic, one's "methodical procedure" of living may emphatically engage this world of temptation or resolutely reject it."
Abstract This paper first outlines Margaret Mead's understanding of the general development, approaches, and use of national character study; then, examines her primary works on America. Finally, the paper points to her more loosely defined American character writings of post-World War II.
From the Paper "As a pioneer of national character study, Margaret Mead's career continually returned to the understanding of American culture. Combining humanitarianism and social activism with her anthropological investigation she strove to positively affect the experiences of those at home. In her autobiography, written six years before her death, she explains: ?I have spent most of my life studying the lives of other peoples, faraway peoples, so that Americans might better understand themselves.? Part of this life project became the development of- and involvement with a social scientific practice capable of a broad knowledge of culture. With specific emphasis on American culture, her efforts are most substantially evident in And Keep Your Powder Dry as well as with in Male and Female. Many of her other over 1300 publications, often in such popular forms as periodicals, pamphlets, newspapers (and even radio and television broadcasts), are oriented toward specific attributes of American character and their social ramifications."
Abstract This paper explores Max Weber's theory of the "rational" in the Protestant Ethic. It explores Weber's use of Ben Franklin to help understand the capitalist spirit.
From the Paper "In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Max Weber seeks historically and causally to locate the religious origins of modern, western capitalism. Throughout the text he uses Benjamin Franklin's writings to elucidate this specific economic development and concomitantly, "to bring out the complexity of the only superficially simple concept of the rational.? Concerned with the, at some levels, irrational ideals of industry and frugality within Franklin's capitalist spirit, Weber emphasizes the dismissal of explicit religious motivations, despite Franklin's overwhelmingly ethical voice. This paper traces Weber's account of the Protestant, especially Calvinist, factors that predicate Franklinesque capitalism and, includes Weber's assessment of the consequent, perverse articulations of latter-day capitalist culture."
Tags: asceticism, calvinism, economics, frugality, industry, protestantism, social, theory
Abstract This research paper discusses the cultural and societal mores of the Semai aborigine trip of the Malay Peninsula. The paper also examines their lifestyle, and some of the traditions that make them a unique people.
From the Paper "The Semai "constitute a people of no political cohesion and considerable linguistic diversity" (Dentan 15). Yet these people possess distinct cultural and social practices that are worthy of note."
Abstract This study takes the literary approach in unraveling the Maguindanaon character and sees what their literature says about them.
From the Paper "In Mindanao, southern part of the Philippines, and particularly in the Province of Maguindanao, a tribe known as the Maguindanaon has since been stereotyped by the mainstream population as being uncivilized, violent, war-like and with criminal tendencies. However, the educated members of the Maguindanaons resisted such characterization of their people and instead argued that like their majority brothers they too possess positive characteristics."
Abstract This essay examines the role of women in Ancient Mali society through the legend of ?Sundiata.? It also briefly examines the role of legends as an appropriate source for a historian. The author portrays the use of an oral folk tale as a social source.
From the Paper "In any society with a fairly low literacy rate, oral tradition becomes the most important way to pass down the history of that society, and it generally plays an important part in the education of the members of that society. This can be seen in virtually any ancient culture: Homer's Iliad, the legends revolving around King Arthur, even large parts of the Judea-Christian Torah and Bible are all meant not only to entertain, but to impart tradition, moral lessons, and history to younger generations, who, in turn, will pass it down to their children and grandchildren. Sundiata, an African tale about the great king of that same name in the ancient empire of Mali, is another epic story in this tradition of mythical historical tales."
Abstract A look at Malay political culture from the perspectives of Anthony Milner. The author investigates the Malay political experiences, traditions and customs and analyzes these from the Milner's point of view that political relationships in Malay are based on leadership and support.
From the Paper "Anthony Milner's central point in his examination of kerajaan is that the key to understanding political motivation must involve an understanding of differing political experience. European observers often saw political relationships in Malay societies as being based on accumulation and distribution of wealth, whereas to Milner the process had a deeper political motivation; to gain supporters."
Tags: politics, tradition, wealth, honor, motivation, leadership, support
Abstract A look at marriage in different societies. The author examines marriage in societies where transfer of resources is a requirement for the ceremony. The author compares the operations, significance and implications of dowry and bride-wealth in different cultures.
From the Paper "All animals, including humans, mate: some for life and some not; some with a single individual of the opposite sex and some with several. Only marriage, however, is sanctioned by legal, economic, and social forces. Anthropologists have tried to identify the common elements in different types of marriage to find the features that are essential or otherwise. They have also focused on the different forms of marriage and the elements involved, sexual, legal, economic and political and the futility of searching for a universal definition. In many tribal societies, marriage involves contracts or alliances between different descent groups, and is not a relationship between individuals. It is a transfer or flow of rights."
Abstract This essay examines the various psychological, sociological and evolutionary origin theories and the related ethnographic/ historical observations presented by several anthropologists and one psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud. It also discusses the functions which the incest taboos serve, their apparent universality and their influences on social structure.
From the Paper "Sigmund Freud tried to account for the incest taboo in his psychoanalytic theory of the unconscious. According to him, the son desires the mother creating a rivalry with the father. he must suppress these feelings or earn the wrath of his father who is more powerful than him. The Electra complex places the daughter in rivalry with her mother. Freud's theory can be viewed as an elaboration of the reasons for a deep seated aversion to sexual relations within the family."
Abstract A look at changes in architectural design. The author focuses on the way architecture reflects culture with focus on the Horyuji temple in Japan which expresses the culture of the time in which it was built.
From the Paper "Throughout history, architectural design has undergone progressive changes in style based on a variety of factors. One of the most significant transitional phases in Japan includes the Asuka period in which Buddhism dramatically influenced the essence of the dialectic between form and function. A prime example of this profound style is the Horyuji Temple. Although the relationship between Buddhist philosophy and architectural design is unquestioned throughout this period, the origins of this relationship are intriguing. What factors led to the development of the Buddhist influenced structures? How significant are the features of the Horyuji in creating allusions to Buddhist ideology? To what extent is the Horyuji Temple "Japanese" versus Buddhist?"
Abstract A look at the colonization of Quakers in the Northern Midlands during the 17th and 18th centuries. The author examines Fischer's Albion's Seed that reflects characteristics of Quakerism. A look at their society.
From the Paper "In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, America saw a colonization of Quakers emerging in the northern midlands. During that time a man named John Woolman was born in Northampton, West Jersey. In his Journal, he showed characteristics of Quakerism which are described in Fischer's Albion's Seed.These aspects are such things as wealth ways, dress ways, death ways, and freedom ways."
Abstract An examination of Indian arts with emphasis on the images and symbolism in the Indian notions of art and religion. The author examines the influences of the Western world on Indian expression of art.
From the Paper "For thousands of years the arts have thrived on the Indian sub-continent, with the advent of western influence and occupation taking place only within the last few hundred years. The impact of western influence upon India is unmistakable, especially in regards to her arts and religion, serving not so much as a contributor, but as a critic. To even begin to comprehend and appreciate the incredible diversity and complexity of Indian arts, we must undergo a paradigm shift of our most basic western beliefs and notions of art and religion. Therefore, an understanding of the historical interpretations of Indian art is essential. Going beyond this, we must construct a rudimentary primer on seeing Indian images, also known as dar?an, and trying to understand, at least at a basic level, the symbolism involved in such religiously rich imagery."
