4-2 Project

ATH 101 Final Project Part A Guidelines and Rubric

Overview

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 A.

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 receive guidance in form of an example document (Final Project Part A 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

As you prepare for the interview, think about anthropology in general terms. Take yourself outside the realm of the current crisis you will be interviewed about shortly and make sure you are clear about what anthropology does, why it is important, and how its past informs its present. Be sure you take your time and use clear examples, as you want to be as ready as possible before you appear on national TV.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Defining Anthropology: What is anthropology? Here, you will separate the different anthropology subfields you have learned about, and you will discuss how the field is the sum of all its parts as you consider people and their complexities. How do all the subfields work together to form the field of anthropology? You will also provide a field-specific example to support your definition.

II. Anthropological Perspective: In this section, you will explain the significance of an anthropological perspective in various crises. Why do people need an anthropological perspective? Here, you will explain the importance of an anthropological perspective in the following situations:

a) Global cultural crises b) Biological crises c) Environmental crises

III. Historical Perspective: In this section, you will discuss the importance of history in understanding the present. a) Provide an example of a historical anthropological contribution that has helped legitimize the field in the present day. Here, you will

demonstrate the lasting impacts of anthropological history. b) Provide an example of a way that cultural groups and individuals use their past to inform their everyday life. How are (or are not) people

products of their past? Make connections between cultural groups’ and individuals’ pasts and their current everyday lives.

c) Explain how people are (or are not) products of their familial past. Make connections between peoples’ family histories and their present identities.

d) Explain how people are (or are not) products of their communal or regional past. Make connections between peoples’ communal or regional pasts and their present identities.

Milestones Final Project Part A Milestone One: Interview Preparation Outline In Module Two, you will begin to apply your new knowledge of anthropology from Modules One and Two to your Part A assignment. Answer the questions as well as you can with the information you have from your text and required resources. Submit an outline of Part A. In this outline, you will begin to define anthropology and its subfields, consider the anthropological perspective, and write down points about how you think history influences current issues. This will help you start thinking from an anthropological perspective early in the term and also help you identify any areas of anthropology that you find difficult to articulate. Be sure to think of some examples you could use in your Part A submission. You must write in full sentences in your outline, and you should aim to address each critical element above with at least two sentences each. This milestone will be graded with the Final Project Part A Milestone One Rubric.

Final Project Part A Submission: Interview Preparation In Module Four, you will submit Final Project Part A, a document detailing your interview preparation. Remember to integrate any feedback or suggestions that your instructor had. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Part A Rubric.

Final Project Part A Rubric

Guidelines for Submission: Your interview preparation document must be 4–6 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must be written in APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Citations must adhere to APA formatting guidelines.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Defining Anthropology Meets “Proficient” criteria and

shows keen insight into the relationship of the subfields as they define the field of anthropology

Defines anthropology, discussing how the field is the sum of its subfields and providing a field- specific example

Defines anthropology, discussing how the field is the sum of its subfields, but does not provide a field-specific example, or discussion has gaps in accuracy or detail

Does not define anthropology or discuss how the field is the sum of its subfields

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Anthropological Perspective: Global

Crises

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation shows keen insight into the significance of the anthropological perspective in relation to global cultural crises

Explains the significance of an anthropological perspective in global cultural crises

Explains the significance of an anthropological perspective in global cultural crises, but with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain the significance of an anthropological perspective in global cultural crises

10

Anthropological Perspective: Biological

Crises

Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation shows keen insight into the significance of the anthropological perspective in relation to biological crises

Explains the significance of an anthropological perspective in biological crises

Explains the significance of an anthropological perspective in biological crises, but with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain the significance of an anthropological perspective in biological crises

10

Anthropological Perspective:

Environmental Crises

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation shows keen insight into the significance of the anthropological perspective in relation to environmental crises

Explains the significance of an anthropological perspective in environmental crises

Explains the significance of an anthropological perspective in environmental crises, but with gaps in detail or accuracy

Does not explain the significance of an anthropological perspective in environmental crises

10

Historical Perspective: Anthropological

Contribution

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and example demonstrates keen insight into the lasting impact of anthropological history

Provides an example of a historical anthropological contribution that has helped legitimize the field in the present day

Provides an example of a historical anthropological contribution, but example did not help legitimize the field in the present day

Does not provide an example of a historical anthropological contribution

7.75

Historical Perspective: Cultural Groups and

Individuals

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and connections demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how the past informs the present

Makes connections between cultural groups’ and individuals’ pasts and their current life

Makes connections between cultural groups’ and individuals’ pasts and their current life, but with gaps in accuracy or detail

Does not make connections between cultural groups’ and individuals’ pasts and their current life

7.75

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

Familial Past Meets “Proficient” criteria, and connections demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how the past informs the present

Makes connections between family history and an individual’s present identity

Makes connections between family history and an individual’s present identity, but with gaps in accuracy or detail

Does not make connections between family history and an individual’s present identity

7.75

Historical Perspective: Communal or Regional

Past

Meets “Proficient” criteria, and connections demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how the past informs the present

Makes connections between communal or regional history and an individual’s present identity

Makes connections between communal or regional history and an individual’s present identity, but with gaps in accuracy or detail

Does not make connections between communal or regional history and an individual’s present identity

7.75

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy to read format

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

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

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

7

Earned Total 100%

5