Short Essay
Format: 600-800 words, 1.5 spacing, 12 pt. font. Responses should be organized, free of excessive errors, and appropriately formal in tone.
Citation & Bibliography:
You should include in-text citations and a bibliography, even if you only cite Barker. Format your citations and references according to the American Anthropological Association's style guidelines.
File & Submission:
1) Save your file in .doc or .pdf format - I cannot comment in other formats using Moodle.
2) Name your file in the following format: yourlastname.second.essay
3) Submit your paper at the link on Moodle (under Week 5 on the mainpage).
Prompt: In Chapter 4 of Ancestral Lines, we get a glimpse into the way the Maisin think about their lives - both individually and collectively - in relation to their broader worldview(s).
In the chapter, Barker describes some of their ideas about the nature of the universe (cosmology), the presence and behavior of non-human entities and powers (from God to spirits to sorcerers), and the morality that governs human life and human relations with these powers.
In your essay, address one of the following questions. You must draw on ethnographic material from AL Chapter 4, but you may also bring in examples from either of the two in-class films for comparison or from previous chapters of Ancestral Lines to support your argument.
1) How to people deal with the existence of two (or more?) distinct worldviews in their lives? What challenges does this situation create for them, or does it? You may focus on how they reconcile different ideas about the world, how they organize their religious practices, or what moral dilemmas -- or possibilities-- are created by this situation. Base your answer on two distinct situations or events that illustrate this dynamic.
2) How do people's religious beliefs, practices or commitments change over time? How do changes in religious beliefs and practices reflect (or create) broader changes in their historical and social circumstances? Base your answer on two distinct situations or events that illustrate how and why these changes occur.
General advice for a successful paper:
1) Draw on concrete evidence from the chapter (and other sources if using) to support your arguments. Be as detailed as possible given the space constraints-refer to specific people, events or concepts and use local terms where appropriate.
2) Be as specific as possible-instead of talking about Maisin "traditional spirit beliefs" make it clear which types of spirits you are talking about. Likewise, we hear about at least two distinct denominations of Christianity in this chapter, along with variations in how they are practiced-be clear about who, what and when.
3) Whichever question you choose, remember that the situation Barker describes is not a static one-make sure you take into account the historical moment at which particular events happen as well as the fact that things are always changing.
Attachment:- Thetwofilms.rar