Religion

This week's assignment is a bit late to post.  For that reason, you will have until Tuesday, November 22 to complete it.


Read Chapter 11 (Religion) and the following articles:
The Adaptive Value of Religious Ritual
The Secret of Haiti's Living Dead

Discussion Question:
Religion is generally a conservative force in society (this does not mean politically conservative). That is, most times it supports the status quo. How does it do that? Provide examples from the readings and/or from your own experiences. Can you think of any examples where religion has been a radical force, that is trying to change society?

Quizzes

OK, things are not as dire as I had imagined.  In the second edition of the text - the one that you all have and I do not - there were a couple changes to the chapters.  Chapters 10 and 11 were combined into one chapter on Inequality.  Therefore, I am throwing out quizzes 10 and 11.  Up to this point, there was very little difference.  There were two questions in the Chapter 8 quiz and two questions in the Chapter 9 quiz that I also threw out.  As not everyone gets the same questions on their quizzes, not everyone's grade has changed.  Only those students who had those questions on their quiz, and got them wrong, have seen an adjustment to their grade.

The other change to the second edition is the addition of the Chapter "Anthropology Making a Difference"
I will make adjustments to the remaining quizzes to reflect any changes from the new edition. 

I think that I have adjusted all that needs adjusting and we will be on track from here on out.

quiz

has anyone taken the quiz and think that the questions are not going along with the chapter 11 about religion?

Race and Ethnicity-Abbey Dahl

I am of white descent, and prior to reading the article, White Privilage, I never really had thought about how my skin might have been responsible for the life I have had. I am not a racist person at all, so I look at everyone as equals. After reading the article I realized how much freedom I have, and I am not saying that other people do have freedom, but the article put things into perspective for me. I want to believe that every single person has the same opportunities, but I guess there are those people who prevent that from happening and it is unfair. I walked into a clothing store before and walked around freely, and have seen at the same time a person of a different skin color being followed and frequently asked questions. It was a shame to see this discrimination right in front of my eyes, and I wish I would have said something.

I am Italian, not the Jersey Shore kind of Italian I would like to add. People have always asked me where I am from in Italy, and are shocked when I tell them I am American and my heritage is Italian. During the summer though, I am known to get extremely tan, and once I was called a rude name at the pool because someone thought I was Latino. It crushed me to think that is how people are judged before even speaking to me.

As for my sexual preference I am heterosexual, but I believe that in this day and time everything is being accepted and I think it is wonderful. One's sexual preference should never have an effect on whether someone gets a job or not. It is great to see the "norm" of culture changing and different things becoming accepted, makes places a lot better in my opinion.

Privilege

Though few will admit it the are certain privileges that people gain in the work place based on their race, gender, and sexuality. A man is normally more likely to be picked for a job or promotion then a woman. Same thing goes for a white man over a black man. Sexuality also plays a role in how someone is treated in the workplace. Homosexuals are normally harassed based their sexuality in the work place. For me I have never had a manager that was unfair to people of other races, gender, or sexuality. So I can say in my experience that I've never witnessed the biased behavior.