Culture class 10

Class Introduction

Welcoming remarks and updates on grading food journals. Feedback will be provided, and resubmissions are accepted. Questions about assignments and course content are encouraged during office hours and via email to foster a collaborative learning environment.

Podcast Discussion

Discussion about a podcast focusing on teachers in Ireland during COVID. Emphasized the significant challenges faced by educators, such as shifting to online learning, addressing diverse learning needs, and maintaining engagement with students. Importance of sharing personal experiences related to the podcast to build empathy and understanding among peers.

Economic Anthropology - Class Structure

• Annotation assignment due tonight based on the chosen podcast, which helps to develop critical listening and analytical skills.

• Reading assignment for Wednesday includes the top half of Chapter 7 discussing state-level political organization, highlighting how political structures influence economic relationships. The longer chapter will be divided into manageable sections to help students grasp complex ideas without feeling overwhelmed.

• For next Monday, the second half reading will focus on political organization, including examples from various cultures. Students are encouraged to read at their own pace, with reminders of homework expectations to keep them accountable.

Midterm Exam Preparation

Review day scheduled for March 5, focusing on clarifying concepts that will be crucial for the midterm exam. The exam is set for March 10 and is worth 10% of the final grade. Exam format will include multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions, emphasizing the importance of understanding concepts rather than rote memorization of definitions. Understanding key concepts such as culture and subsistence strategies discussed in class will be vital for success in the exam.

Kinship Unit

Discussion about the upcoming kinship unit after the midterm. Students will engage in projects related to kinship as a social structure. Kinship project details will align with food journal assignments, requiring students to observe and analyze family dynamics in their communities. A reminder that there will be no assignments due during spring break, allowing students to recharge.

Economic Anthropology Overview

• Differences Between Economic Anthropology and EconomicsEconomic anthropology takes a holistic approach, focusing on social factors (e.g., cultural norms, family structure) influencing economic choices. In contrast, traditional economics tends to be more individual-centric and market-focused, analyzing transactions primarily through supply and demand.

• Modes of Exchange

  • Modes of Production: Refers to how goods are created. An example of a mode of production is subsistence farming, where families grow crops to meet their own needs rather than for profit.

  • Modes of Exchange: How goods are distributed among individuals.

    • Reciprocity: Involves building relationships through mutual assistance over time.

      • Generalized Reciprocity: Informal sharing without immediate expectation of return, such as a neighbor lending a tool to a friend.

      • Balanced Reciprocity: Equal exchange where each party gives and receives, like exchanging birthday gifts among friends.

      • Market Exchange: Conducting transactions based on set prices, typical in commercial transactions, such as buying groceries at a supermarket.

      • Redistribution: Pooling resources, often seen in communal events like potlatch ceremonies, where wealth is redistributed among community members.

Gift Giving and Social Relationships

Gift giving is a significant aspect of reciprocity, reinforcing social bonds. For instance, gifts during weddings or childbirth often symbolize commitment and support. Examples illustrate how imbalances in gifting can lead to social discomfort, referencing Marcel Mauss's work on the socio-economic implications of gift exchanges and how these practices maintain social networks.

Negative Reciprocity

Negative reciprocity can occur in situations like gambling, where participants may not benefit from the exchange, highlighting how some social interactions can lead to exploitation.

Redistribution and Community Values

Redistribution is exemplified through taxation or communal fundraisers, such as raising money for local schools. Case studies shared regarding pre-European contact societies in the Pacific Northwest emphasize wealth distribution through communal feast practices, where sharing surplus is central to social harmony.

Current Examples of Redistribution

Contemporary examples include powwows and giveaways within Native American communities, illustrating cultural practices around wealth sharing and reinforcing community bonds, such as during celebrations where goods are distributed to attendees.

Market Economics

• Market Characteristics: Markets operate outside set schedules, functioning based on supply and demand principles. Prices fluctuate according to availability and consumer interest, such as seasonal price changes for fruits and vegetables.

• Differences Between Social Interactions in Markets vs. Reciprocity-based Activities: In markets, interactions are often transactional, while reciprocity-based activities emphasize social connections and mutual support. Money serves as a portable symbol of value, facilitating exchanges where goods are impractical to trade directly.

Importance of Money

Social constructs dictate the value of currency and goods, with inflation and changes in market dynamics impacting purchasing power. Economic relationships are influenced by structural inequalities, where some individuals possess more resources than others, leading to disparities in wealth and access.

Wrap-up and Questions

Challenges regarding the understanding of economics vs. economic anthropology were reinforced throughout the class. Students were encouraged to ask questions related to modes of exchange and the upcoming final topics discussed in class, recognizing the importance of ongoing engagement with these themes as they develop their understanding of economic anthropology's insights.