Anthro 145
Prof. Varisco
Fall 2002
 
STUDY GUIDE FOR A145 CONCEPTS 
 
MIDTERM EXAM CONCEPT STUDY GUIDE (to be held on 10/15/02)
FINAL EXAM CONCEPT STUDY GUIDE (to be held on 12/19/02)
Suggestions for Studying
Sample Concept Study Notes
EXTRA CREDIT
MIDTERM EXAM CONCEPT STUDY GUIDE
(for midterm on 10/15/02)
 
 
The short-answer questions on Exam #1 will be based on key concepts, ideas, and approaches covered in class through 10/8/02. I indicate the main reading for the concept, but you are also responsible for what is said in class lectures. It is important to know not only the "definition," but also be able to provide an example from the course or apply the idea to something new. I will choose questions from the following key issues for this exam.
 
• What fossil evidence suggests early humans were not monogamous? (Small, ch.1)
• Why do human females have fatty breasts? (Small, ch.1)
• What is the relevance of hunter-gatherer economics to gender roles? (Ward, ch. 1)
• What is the significance in the ethological research of Shirley Strum on baboons? (Ward, ch. 4)
• How does bonobo chimp social behavior differ from Pan troglodytes, according to de Waal (1995)?
• What are the differences in social organization between bonobos, gibbons, gorillas and orangutans? (de Waal 1995)
• What does Desmond Morris mean by "status sex"? (Morris 1996)
• Why are humans sexually aroused by visual stimuli? (Small, ch. 2)
• What does Friedl (1994) think are the consequences of "hidden sex" in human societies?
• What does Small (ch. 3) prefer as a model to explain the evolution of female menstruation?
• What would an evolutionary psychologist think is the best explanation of early human male mating strategy? (Small, ch.5)
• Why do societies ever engage in female infanticide? (Ward, ch. 3)
• What are the basic differences in child-raising practices between the Arapesh, Mundugumor and Tchambuli, according to Mead? (Ward, ch. 2, Mead 1955)
• What does Mead say is the Samoan role toward female virginity? (Mead 1968)
• What does Freeman (1984) say are the main problems with Mead's ethnographic methods?
• What does Leacock (1992) say both Mead and Freeman ignore in their analysis of Samoa?
 
 
FINAL EXAM CONCEPT STUDY GUIDE
(to be held on 12/19/02)
 
Forthcoming
 
 
Sample Concept Study Notes
 
In order to provide an example of what I would consider "comprehensive" study notes for a concept, consider the notes you could take for the concept:
 
 SAMPLE CONCEPT: What are the cross-cultural findings about sex outside marriage? (Small, ch. 5)
 
esp.pp.133-134
 
Casual Sex: Regional differences
• Pacific Islands most permissive
• African and Eurasian reasonably tolerant
• Most restrictive around Mediterranean
my question: could this be due to the monotheisms?
 
Adultery:
• over 3/4 of cultures have some adultery admitted by both men and women
• usually men more than women
• but probably even higher since many people on sex surveys don't answer this
• some studies suggest as high as 10% of births not from husband noted on certificate
• woman risks scorn and punishment
my question: Is female adultery more common in polygynous societies?
 
 
Suggestions for Studying:
 
• Keep notes on the issues listed above as you read about them or hear about them in class lectures. One way to do this is to write each issue at the top of a file card or sheet of paper and jot down notes as you read and study that will serve as a study guide for the concept exam.
• I will be glad to look over your notes to make suggestions (except at the last minute before the exam!). The best way to do this is to make an appointment and come to my office, where we can go over them together.
• If you do not understand the idea from the reading or as it is discussed in the relevant class, you need to ask for clarification in that class, email me or come and see me in my office.
 
Extra Credit:
 
Each student in the class has an opportunity to earn extra-credit points while at the same point properly preparing for the first two exams. Students who hand in their study notes (these can be hand-written) at the time of the exam can earn up to 3 extra credit points, according to the following criteria:
 
3 points (comprehensive and concise notes for each concept)
2 points (adequate notes for each concept)
1 point (adequate notes for at least half of the concepts)
 
NOTE: If you choose not to prepare seriously for the exam, you will probably not do well on it.