course material

1. 101wk5
In the Final Research Paper, you will examine your own culture from an etic (outsider’s)
perspective and another culture from an emic (insider’s) perspective to demonstrate your
understanding of cultural relativism and examine misconceptions and ethnocentric beliefs
concerning each of these cultures. Keep the distinction between cultural relativism and
moral relativism in mind as you write your final paper. Even if you do not personally agree
with a cultural practice, demonstrate your understanding of the practice in its cultural
context. Avoid opinionated or judgmental language in your paper.Cultural relativism is the
idea that the beliefs and practices of a culture should be understood within the context of
that particular culture’s background, history, and current events surrounding it. We should
not ethnocentrically impose our own beliefs and opinions, which are products of our own
enculturation.Cultural relativism is not the same as moral relativism, however. As Crapo
(2013) notesWe need not, for instance, come to value infanticide in order to understand the
roles it may play in peoples’ lives in a society where it is customary. What cultural
relativism requires of us is simply that we do not confuse our own feelings about such a
custom with understanding it. To do the latter, we must investigate the meanings the
custom has for those who practice it and the functions it may fulfill in their society. (section
1.4, “Cultural Differences: Cultural Relativism,” para. 3)Keep the distinction between
cultural relativism and moral relativism in mind as you write your Final Research Paper.
Even if you do not personally agree with a cultural practice, demonstrate your
understanding of the practice in its cultural context. Avoid opinionated or judgmental
language in your paper.Your Final Research Paper will consist of two main parts, framed by
an Introduction and a Conclusion. See the Final Paper Flow Chart for a quick overview of the
assignment. See the following instructions for information on each part of the
paper.IntroductionBegin with an introductory paragraph that has a thesis statement at the
end. The introduction should set up your topic, giving a preview and summary of the
analysis you will present in the body of the paper. The thesis statement is the last sentence
or two of the introduction and states what the main point structuring your paper will
be.Here is an Example of an Introduction .Part IUsing the article by Miner (1956) and the
feedback you received from your instructor on your worksheet in Week Three, describe one
aspect of your own culture from an etic perspective. See the appropriate Sections in the
Textbook in the List of Topics , based on your chosen topic from Week Three, for
information on how to approach your paper from an anthropological perspective. You can
describe American culture in general, as Miner does, or you can describe an American

2. subculture, such as a specific geographical group (e.g., New Yorkers), a particular ethnicity
(e.g., African Americans), or an age-related category of Americans (e.g., millennials).Use
reputable statistics and/or scholarly research to support any factual statements. Do not rely
solely on personal experience or opinion.Here is an Example of Part I .Part IIRefer to the
article you chose for Part II of the worksheet assignment in Week Three and describe an
aspect of another culture from an emic (insider’s) perspective. You do not have to do
research beyond reading your chosen article; however, if you do choose to conduct
additional research make sure to use reputable statistics and/or scholarly sources to
support any factual statements. Do not rely upon personal experience or opinion.Here is an
Example of Part II .ConclusionEnd with a concluding paragraph that reinforces your thesis.
Summarize and tie together your main points for the reader. Provide a brief self-reflexive
analysis of what you learned while writing this paper.Here is an Example of Conclusion .The
Final Research Paper Must be five to six double-spaced pages in length (excluding title page
and references page, meaning it will be seven to eight pages total), and formatted according
to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (see the APA Essay Checklist for
Students ). Must include a title page (see title page ) with the following: Title of paper
Student’s name Course name and number Instructor’s name Date submitted Must begin
with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement. Must have well-
structured body paragraphs with clear transitions from one topic to the next. Incorporate
in-text citations (see In-Text Citation Guide ) from your scholarly sources to support your
analysis throughout the paper. Must describe an aspect of your own culture from an etic
perspective for Part I. Must describe an aspect of another culture from an emic perspective
for Part II. Must demonstrate a perspective of cultural relativism throughout, avoiding
judgmental and opinionated language. Must end with a conclusion that that reinforces the
thesis and provides a self-reflexive analysis. Must use at least one scholarly resource in
addition to the textbook, the Miner article, and the article chosen from the list in Part II of
the Week Three assignment. Must document all sources in APA style in the body of the
paper and on the references page as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a
separate References Page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford
Writing Center. Here is an Example of a References Page . Chesluk, B. (2004). “Visible signs
of a city out of control”: Community policing in New YorkCity. Cultural Anthropology, 19(2),
250-275. Retrieved from the JSTOR database. (Points : 1)