The Archaeology of Ethnicity in America: First Exam

Home > Courses > THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ETHNICITY IN AMERICA | Elizabeth Brumfiel

Modules: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
Exams: | 1 | 2 | 3 | Papers: | 1 | 2 | Team Projects: | intro | 1 | 2 | 3 | Syllabus

FIRST EXAM

The exam is based on the following study questions:

1. What is race? Why do anthropologists feel that races do not exist? How is race used as a social weapon?

2. What is ethnicity? Describe the three theories have been used to explain ethnicity.

3. What have been the goals of historical archaeology as the field has evolved over time? How would historical archaeologists prior to 1965 have approached ethnicity in the United States? How would historical archaeologists between 1965 and 1974 have approached ethnicity in the United States? How can the study of ethnicity in the United States be enhanced by the study of colonialism, capitalism, and the modern world system?

4. Provide three examples of how Deetz moved from the physical attributes and distribution of ceramics to the reconstruction of early American society and culture.

5. How can the study of grave sites reveal information about the social and cultural dimensions of capitalism in America? You may answer using examples from Deetz, Chapter 4; from McGuire, "Dialogues with the Dead"; or from Riverside Cemetery. Provide as many different ideas as possible.

6. If the primordial view of ethnicity is correct, what should ethnicity look like in the archaeological record? How do the archaeological data from Parting Ways described by Deetz seem to support a primordial view? How do the archaeological data supplied by Rogers and Warner seem to challenge this view?

7. How does Barth view ethnicity? If Barth is correct, what should ethnicity look like archaeologically?

8. If the domination and power view of ethnicity is correct, what should ethnicity look like in the archaeological record? How might the archaeological data from Parting Ways described by Deetz be interpreted to support a domination and power view of ethnicity?

9. How can ethnicity be identified in the archaeological record of industrialized societies where all people use manufactured products not of their own making? Provide examples.

10. How has capitalism affected the ethnic composition of Albion, MI, and Binghamton, NY?