Global Understanding Final Exam Guide for Anthropology Course

Anth 1050 002 Global Understanding: Final Exam Fall 2022 You can use your Distant Mirrors book and class notes when answering the questions for the exam. Download the exam and complete in Microsoft Word. Then upload your exam under the Final Exam icon. The exam must be completed and uploaded by Tuesday Dec 13th at midnight. GOOD LUCK! 40 points total for the exam. Multiple Choice (1 point each, 4 points total) Highlight the correct answer choice 1. The practice of judging others by one’s own c ultural norms is known as_____. a. anthropology b. ethnography c. ethnocentrism d. idealism 2. Ethnographies are the written anthropological accounts of the culture of a group of people. a. True b. False 3. When an anthropologist views another society within its own cultural context this is an example of taking a cultural relativistic approach. a. True b. False 4. The four fields of anthropology are: a. Cultural, linguistics, biological, archaeology b. Biological, physical, cultural, linguistics c. Primatology, cultural, archaeology, physical d. Ethnology, cultural, linguistics, archaeology

Short Answer (3 points each, 18 points total) — Answer all short answer questions 1. What does the author think about the elaborate displays of patriotism in the United States? How does the potluck dinner differ from European dinner party customs? The author reflects two opinions about the displays of patriotism in the United States. He does not feel that it is wrong that the flag is flown in offices, homes, or arenas, however he feels it changes the actual meaning of patriotism and nationalism. The author states that by making the flag so common and ordinary it erases the significance and meaning of the American flag. He believes it changes the “sacred” to the “prophane” or “ordinary”. He also states that it might give a sense of ethnocentrism off to other countries from America and continue the stereotype of Americans being “arrogant”. The potluck differs from European dinner party customs because people invited are expected to bring their own food and beverages. Whereas in Europe, you bring flowers or alcohol, and bringing food would be considered rude to the host of the dinner party. One thing that was also different is that people bring home their leftovers or the host gives them their food left over at the end of the party. Another difference was the use of wastable utensils, the dessert being served right next to the dinner, and drinking coffee at the end of a dinner event. The author claims it to be an examp le of “Americ an efficiency and convenience ”. 2. What are the basic faults that the author finds with the attitudes and expectations of American university students? What distinctions does the author make between competence and the American value of high grades at minimal effort? The author found that it was exceedingly difficult to get the students to face new challenges and that rather than learning, they all just wanted high grades. They expected to finish the course in a “conveyor belt” fashion and would rather hear the teacher lecture the textbook rather than lecture on the subject. The

students focused merely on grades rather than the math problems. The author explains that it changed his expectation of American education as many students just wanted a piece of paper “to prove they were competent”. He makes the distinction that many students want to be told exactly what they need to know and what will be on tests. He also explains that, despite this, he knows many want to learn and take in the information, but curiosity is not available when many want to learn with minimal effort. 3. What are the social implications of the ways Americans greet each other? What are some American subjects that would be taboo in a public meeting with friends? The social implications of the way Americans greet each other is that they are very superficial. It is implied through response and ritual that no more is needed than saying “good” after getting asked “how are you?”. It explains that responding more is inappropriate and not needed. It is not to add details answer elaborately. An interesting example the author states is in doctors' clinics. When answering how you are, and you say fine, are you telling a lie inadvertently? American subjects that are taboo to discuss in public meetings are things like a person’s personal life or income. The author explains that these are inappropriate topics to discuss, and Americans are very private about what they discuss, even with close friends. Many topics considered normal to talk about in other cultures is private and personal in American culture.

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4. Describe the koden in Japan. What is the most important rule that governs Japanese exchange of the koden? The koden is a cancelation gift or money given at Japanese funerals as a monetary gift to honor the deceased and the survivors in place for incense or flower. This is to mourn the deceased and show your sympathy to the survivors by supporting part of the funeral expenses in the needy time. The most important rule is reciprocity or returning the favor. 5. What evidence does Professor Ramos provide to display a rather impressive knowledge of America? Why do American not seem to know much about his home country? He displays that as a foreigner, he has the most knowledge of how America is perceived from an outside perspective. He also states that eight months in America provided him enough time to learn the culture. Americans do not seem to know much about their home country because they perceive it as normalcy and not from an ethnographic standpoint. 6. What are some of the differences between residential communities in China and residential communities in Florida? What are neighborly strangers and why is this term used by the author? One of the main differences between residential communities in both places is that in Florida, many of the neighbors were just acquainted with each other or “ neighborly strangers” . However in China, every neighbor in the community knew each other very well. They usually worked in the same profession and were very close with neighbors, even calling senior members uncle or aunt. The author explains that his wife was surprised when there was little sentiment from neighbors on getting to know each other. Another difference is that the Florida community is privately owned. Most neighborhoods in China are government appointed work units. Neighborly strangers are the residents in Florida who have lived by

each other for years but barely know each other personally. This term is used by the author to explain the privacy and lack of trust shown by Americans within their own community. Essays- (9 points each, 18 points total) Select 2 essay questions and write at least ½ to 1 page for each essay. 1. Compare the United States and 3 partner countries. Discuss specific cultural similarities and differences using examples from the global understanding course. While exploring and learning more about the countries of China, Mexico, and Peru I have learned a great deal about each culture. These cultures share many similarities and differences. When compared to the United States, many aspects of other cultures can seem significantly different from an outside perspective. However, through understanding different cultures, more can be learned about America as well. The United States and China, Mexico, and Peru share many differences and similarities. There are many similarities between the cultures of the United States and these three countries. A large cultural similarity that kept coming up was the universal importance of holidays. To each country, the

society ’s culture includes large holidays and celebrating them accordingly. In Peru, Mexico, and the United States, Christmas is celebrated in similar traditional ways like getting Christmas trees and using the time to be with family. In China, Chinese New Year as well as their many festivals are largely celebrated holidays by the entire country and hold importance. Another large similarity I found was the use of social media among the cultures and the significant effect it has. One platform that was popular among all cultures was TikTok. It is a media space that despite language or country barriers, each country finds content from. Although they have similarities, the United States and China, Peru and Mexico differ in many ways. One difference is the quality of education in each culture. Both Peru and Mexico had significantly cheaper schools despite them being private. However, the students explained the inequity of the duality of education. Their school is on the more expensive side in their country. They also explained in Peru that many people go back to school to pursue different fields because of the lower cost. This differs from America because getting an education can be expensive and often people go to pursue one profession, although that is constantly changing in the modern world. Another major difference is the school spirit of universities in each culture. Americas culture is large on mascots, school spirit, and football. In every other country we spoke to, there was not a large significance of school spirit for sports teams. They seemed very surprised to hear about ECU’s extremely proud college culture. All cultures have similarities and differences in many ways. These differences and similarities can show more insight on the perspective of each country's culture and their views on the world. The United States and China, Mexico, and Peru may all be different, but all of them hold very common culture similarities. These similarities and differences can allow cultures to see each other's perspectives and get a new view on the world. 2. Compare the topics of college life and family and cultural traditions across 3 partner institutions. Use specific examples from class discussions. China, Peru, and Mexico all had different ideas of college life and family and cultural traditions. All these students came from very different backgrounds of gender, age, and cultural identity but all still had certain extents of similarities and differences. Many of these ideas were brought about by deep cultural roots and tradition in each given country. Although many cultures shared the same sentiments, they also all had deep differences within college life and family and cultural traditions. In China, college life and family and cultural traditions were especially important. College life in China seemed to consist of many things. While we were talking about education, another important idea was the social aspect. Many Chinese students said education was a priority, but they enjoyed going out, playing sports, and playing video games in their free time. Traditions and family were important to their culture too. The students explained that families in China were very close but had a strict relationship, comparing it to a boss and employee. However, despite this, they explained that families looked after each other and elders were especially important to their family dynamic. Culturally, the students explained some of their favorite holidays and events like the Spring Festival and Dragon Festival in China, which celebrate rebirth and ancient Chinese culture. In Peru, college life seemed to be similar to America. The students explained that socially, many students went drinking and dancing while listening to traditional Spanish music. They also explained that their tuition was much cheaper there than in America, however this largely had to do with the lower quality of the education in Peru that they explained. In cultural and family traditions, they explained that family was an extremely important sentiment in Peruvian culture. Family dynamics were very close knit,

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and many families were large. They also explained cultural traditions and the significance of certain holidays. Christmas, New Years, and All Saints Day are exceptionally large religious holidays for Peru. In Mexico, college life differs from that in America. The students explained that they did not have a mascot or a large football team. While they were shocked to hear we did, they explained that most students enjoyed national soccer as a sport in Mexico. They also explained the difference that their students come to classes based on their grade in university, like seniors and juniors having later classes and first-year students and sophomores having earlier classes. Regarding cultural and family traditions, the students explained the importance of family within their culture. Respect for your family in Mexico is very important. While regarding cultural traditions, they were similar to Peru in that thy celebrate large Catholic holidays like Christmas. They also explained that a large part of Mexican culture was food. Traditional food is a way to show love and gratitude in Mexican culture. In all, all three countries held vast differences from each other regarding college life and family and cultural traditions. In each respect, they can be similar because they all hold human values in their culture. Each country's traditions and culture shape the country and its societal viewpoints. Ultimately, China, Peru, and Mexico all have interesting and differing aspects to their own cultures as a whole. 3. Compare the topics of religion and the meaning of life, social media and media representation, and stereotypes and prejudices across 3 partner institutions. Use specific examples from class discussions.

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