There are three miscellaneous assignments. These can be chosen from a list of options. 

 

Please select any three of the following activities to attend and write up a short analysis of it during the semester. The three of these write-ups together will account for 5% of your final grade. If you choose one option from one category with multiple possibilities (i.e., a talk, a church service, etc.) you can still do another event from that same category. Please be aware that some events are only available at certain times. 

 

After attending the event write up an analysis of approximately 400 words using the provided template. This write-up should include an astute ‘anthropological analysis’ of the event. For example, you may critique what someone was saying using some of the theoretical frameworks that we have been studying, or you may analyze some cultural phenomenon by trying to describe its own cultural logic, or you may describe how it made you aware of cultural assumptions that you had previously thought as purely ‘natural.’ In the end, your write up of each analysis must demonstrate an application of concepts learned in Anthropology 101. 

 

These three write-ups are due on the dates provide on the reading schedule and in Learning Suite. However, we recommend turning them in early if you complete the task early, so that your analysis of the event is fresh. These will be turned in via Learning Suite using the provided template. A grading rubric for the Miscellaneous Assignments can be found here. 

 

We will add to this list as things come up. If you want to propose another idea that is in the spirit of these activities, take it to your TA. 

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1) Attend a screening of Lyra (directed by Alison Millar) at BYU's International Cinema. The screening on Weds., Sept 10 will have the filmmaker speaking before the film.

Screening times:

Wednesday, Sept 10 @ 5:00pm  (in 250 KMBL), with Alison Millar speaking before the film, film starts @ 5:15pm

Thursday, Sept 11 @ 7:30pm (in 250 KMBL)

Friday, Sept 12 at 2:30pm, 9:20pm (in 250 KMBL)

Saturday, Sept 13 @ 3:20pm (in 250 KMBL)

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2) Attend an academic talk on campus and write a brief analysis of the talk based on the things you have learned in Anthropology 101. In other words, ‘think anthropologically’ about the talk and write a short response summarizing your analysis. This must be a formal academic lecture, such as in a department symposium, guest lecture series, etc. The Department of Anthropology lists its speakers as "ANTHRO SEMINAR" events on its Google Calendar** and Facebook page. (**Not all events on the Department of Anthropology Google Calendar are academic talks, so only the events labeled as an ANTHRO SEMINAR or other type of lecture are eligible here, but not other department events).

3) Listen to the BBC World Service News and/or programming for 1 week. You must listen for at least 30 minutes per day (not necessarily consecutive) for at least 5 days in a span of 7 days. You may listen while you walk, workout, cook, etc., as long as you are actively listening to the broadcast. Write a response that describes how listening to global news is different from listening to American national or local news. What are the different assumptions that go into portraying "what is going on in the world" as compared to American national or local news? 

4) Attend the church or worship service of another religious or spiritual community (any group that subscribes to a metaphysics different form yours would count, such as an atheist reading group if you are NOT an atheist) that is not the religion you practice and provide an analysis based on the things you have learned in Anthropology 101. You can find a list of churches and organizations here.

5) Go to the Museum of Peoples and Cultures. Pick up the handout at the secretary’s desk (tell them you are from Anthropology 101). Go through the exhibit with the handout and write an analysis on what you found, thought, experienced, etc. 

6) Attend the screening of Lyra the week  of September 10 at BYU’s International Cinema.

7) Attend one of the following and write an anthropological analysis of your experience: 

-Comic Con in Salt Lake (http://saltlakecomiccon.com/) 

-Octoberfest at Snowbird (http://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/events/oktoberfest) 

-Utah’s Indigenous Day at the Utah Museum of Natural History (http://heritage.utah.gov/utah-indian-affairs/utahs-indigenous-day-celebration) 

8) Watch an ethnographic film on Ethnographic Film Online through the library website. The film must be at least 45 minutes long (or two films equalling more than 45 minutes). Analyze the ethnographic film(s) using concepts and ideas you have learned in the course. 

9) Attend a festival or other event at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork or Salt Lake City (http://www.utahkrishnas.org/). Consider the cultural significance of what is happening at the temple, as well as why people from various backgrounds come to the temple. For example, why is the festival of colors so popular and what are attendees getting out of this event?