For anthropology I have to compare one specific aspect of our culture to that of another culture, any ideas?

Question

I have to research, compare, and contrast one aspect of our (American) culture to that of another culture.

For example, the Sambian, the Yanamamo or any other group of people for that matter.

I am having a hard time picking a specific topic that could be easily researched. Could you please offer some suggestions and help me out with this undertaking for cultural anthropolgy?

Thanks for you insight and knowledge

Answer 1

You could research the relation to death in various cultures.  Eastern cultures believe in reincarnation. Some dress white, others black. Many bury the death (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial) others cremate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation). Some groups feed the death body to the vultures(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsi#Issue... Certain groups keep a part of the deceased at home (ashes, bones, etc).

Answer 2

I think the easiest thing to do is religion.

On the surface, religions seem to be so different.  But in the core they are all almost the same.

An easy one, would be to compare the interactions between different religions in America VS the interactions of different religions in Iraq or Iran.

In Iraq there is secterian violence between people who essentially practice the same religion:  Zunni's and Shiites.

In America, Mormons, Protestants, and Catholics have a war of words and concepts...but they rarely if ever become violent.

Unlike the protestants and catholics in Ireland who were litteraly at war with eachother for a good chunk of the last centruy.

Answer 3

Pick something with lots of easy to get, relevant data.

Dont pick an obscure social phenomenon that doesnt have a direct parallel in another country.

From a government's perspective, the most frequently measured and reported dimensions of a society are usually (in no particular order):

1) Literacy rates

2) Infant Death Rates (and expected age for males and females)

3) Population Age Distribution, which are usually grouped into age brackets that help identify the number of people available in the workforce.

4) Education level

These are some of the most important variables that countries who compete in a modern society strive to control and have amongst the most bearing of control-able factors on a countries well-being and quality of life.

You can acquire statistics on many different countries by going to www.cia.gov and looking up a country you would like to research. Seeing how America compares to, say, Australia or Switzerland may surprise you.

Answer 4

The obvious choice is Rome. In fact the United States is often referred to as the modern Rome. We try to control the entire world. We often conquer peoples and try to mold them to our image. We have a Senate and the people believe that they are free even though they are ruled by the few. This is a no brainer my friend. If you would like to read some of my other articles on topics that are very similar, go to

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/80...

and read through my work. You will find several articles that address our current situation and articles which describe the great empires throughout history. Hope this helps, let me know what you decide.....

Answer 5

If you would just like to know the difference between these cultures and not to pointly make criticism or interpretation, well you can compare their practices and beliefs in marriage, child rearing, politics, religion, economics: how is their mean of exchange, folklore too if you can find stories, and a lot more actually.

But remember, do not put criticism on your paper just end your writing with comparing and contrasting for each culture is unique. You should take in to consideration cultural relativity.

Answer 6

Pick anything that interests you but be specific.  There are so many cultures that you really can find a good parallel for comparison for any subject you want to write about.  Do you have any hobbies?  For example, a poet might compare poetry slams in the US with poetry of the Bedouin women as discussed in the book Veiled Sentiments.  Just pick something meaningful for you and search the Internet for an ethnography that matches.

Answer 7

I think foodways are really interesting.  What do people eat? How do they prepare their meals?  How do they eat (using hands, utensils, sitting in chairs, on the floor)?  What are their mealtime manners (do they speak to each other, do they eat at the same table, do women and/or children eat seperately from the men)? etc.