Your research paper/project will consist of a written 3-5 page paper on a topic of your choice related to Anthropology. In this project you will be using critical thinking skills. For more information on the use of Critical Thinking Skills / Scientific Thinking, please refer to the online information that I have placed in the context page, directly below this Research information contest page. For this semester project, I would prefer that you do more than just research a topic and present that information.
At this point I am sure that you are stuck for a topic, and that is natural as the course is just starting the semester. However, in the first 3 Modules we will study: “what Is Anthropology and Culture,” “Applying Anthropology” and “Studying the Past.” This should give information to find out what is of interest to you. Also, look over the topics we will be covering in each Module and text readings. So after the first three Modules look ahead and see a bit of the highlighted information that we will be covering, as that may identify a topic that catches your attention
Additionally, in each Module of this course there are a total of fifteen Discussion Forums. At the top of each discussion forum there are images, with a bit of text below, that highlights a specific topic that comes from the assigned chapters in Kottak’s textbook. These 15 topics are there as Examples to how you can take a bit of Anthropological information (typically from your textbook) and then develop that information into a subject for a research project. NOTE: These 15 research topic examples are NOT required Discussion Topics for the weekly Discussion Forums.
With all of the above information stated, most of all, be creative and have fun with your Research Project. This may just be the time to speak with your family elders, or that person or family who has different customs, different celebrations or holidays than yours. Maybe you you have noticed the different colors, that seemed a bit odd to you, in the way a neighbor painted their house. Now would be the time to introduce yourself and ask that why question that has been lingering in your mind. If you are still stuck and we are one-half of the way through the semester, maybe you should attend a major public event in your community that would draw-in people of different Cultures. While attending such a major public event, like a State Fair or a Circus. Take notes of the different activities that are occurring, as well as any short comments on conversations or information that is shared with you. While taking notes, notice what people are wearing, their general ages, and ethnicity. What languages are being spoken? Where is the event taking place? Describe the place where the event takes place. How many people are in attendance? What happened during the event? How long did it last? Who was the leader or leaders and what did they do? Who participated? Did you participate or were you just an observer? Did you interview or interact with anyone? What did you talk about? What are your conclusions, if any, about the event, based on what your expectations were before you went? These are the kinds of questions to keep in mind as you are noticing details during the event. Just make sure that you don’t violate anyone’s right of privacy in your note taking and/or recordings. The Ethic’s Code, that I mentioned above, established by the American Anthropological Association will be your guide for this.
Introduction
Body / Main information section
Conclusion
references cited
direct quotes must be noted with citations in your references
material that you synthesized and put in your own words also must be in your references
PLEASE, do not use large fonts or similar manipulations to make a barely twp page paper seem larger
