Your goal is to produce a research proposal (with a bibliography) which provides clear evidence of your growing understanding of the field of cultural anthropology, its concepts and research methods. Clearly your work must show a scholarly familiarity within the discipline of cultural anthropology focusing on a specific area or set of issues of concern in a specific area of study. In following the course syllabus students should note that we are covering a variety of issues within anthropology which give rise to a number of questions ranging from the ethics of doing fieldwork around the globe, to understanding the lives of others within their own cultural contexts (cultural relativism). Students are asked to write a proposal within the topical areas listed on this handout. If you are passionate about other ideas come and see your Professor in office hours to discuss other options.
Given that the emphasis is on research and the critical interpretation of the material you discover through the research process, this assignment enables you to achieve the following:
Develop some basic library skills
Learn that description, interpretation and analysis is subjective and that multiple viewpoints on a given subject are both common and desirable in broadening our understanding of anthropological theories and methods.
Develop an understanding of a specific research field within the sub-discipline of cultural anthropology
Create your own academic voice and discuss those of others in anthropological fields/literatures.
Create a viable proposal for carrying out research in the field of cultural anthropology.
