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Essay Instructions: Anthropology Class: Latin American Cities: Public Space and Political Culture

The aims of the assignment will be to produce a reflection on the uses,
meanings, transgressions or re-configurations of public space in a particular event, and to
learn more about a specific Latin American city within its national and regional context. Drawing on information from sources such as newspaper clippings, photographs, documentaries, demographic or city planning information available on the internet, etc. ….elaborate an argument using central concepts from the theoretical and empirical texts discussed in class.


The topic for the paper I have chosen is the famous muralist Diego Rivera. Perhaps one his greatest legacies, however, was his impact on America’s conception of public art. The paper should include a historical background of Diego Rivera and the art movement in Mexico. (mention the political artistic movement through the 1920-30’s)Answering questions: Why publicize art, rather then be hidden in museums? What conception of the public is given through Diego’s artwork? How have these murals shaped a public identity? Elaborate an argument using central concepts from the theoretical and empirical texts. Use as many quotations and footnotes needed.

Please draw from as many primary sources possible relating to Diego Rivera.

Theoretical and empirical texts texts to draw comparison from class reading:
(choose 1-2)

Foucault, Michel 1997 “Space, Knowledge and Power” (interview conducted with Paul
Rabinow) in Rethinking Architecture. A reader in cultural theory. London:
Routledge.

Rabinow, Paul 2003 “Ordonnance, discipline and regulation: some reflections on
urbanism” . In The Anthropology of Space and Place, S. Low (ed.), Cornwall:
Blackwell

Rodman, Margaret 1993 “Beyond built form and culture in the Anthropological study of
Residential Community Spaces” in The Cultural Meaning of Urban Space, R.
Rothenberg and G. McDonogh (eds.) Westport: Bergin and Garvey.

Harvey, David 2006 “The Political Economy of Public Space” in The Politics of Public
Space, S. Low and N. Smith, (eds.). New York: Routledge. (p. 17-34)

Benhabib, Seyla 1992 “Models of Public Space: Hannah Arendt, the Liberal Tradition,
and Jurgen Habermas” in Situating the Self, New York: Routledge.

Simmel, Georg 1971 “Sociability” in On Individuality and Social Forms, edited by
Donald Levine, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Holston, James and Arjun Appadurai 1996 “Cities and Citizenship” in Public Culture,
v. 8, n. 2


Pacheco, Jose Emilio 1987 Battles in the Desert and Other Stories. New York: New
Directions Publishers.

Essay Instructions: Anthropology paper is about rites of passage as these rites pertain to a boy/young man going from grade school to high school to college. Thesis statement must tie to rites of passage and what the paper is trying to prove all in one sentence. Paper should be organized like a research paper except that it should have details about supposed experiences of a boy/young man going through the rites of passage as he goes from grade school to high school to college, in support of the thesis.
I need to explain anthropological angle, define the terms of rites of separation, transition and incorporation as it pertains to this paper - this should be part of the body of the paper and should be about 4 - 5 sentences. The remainder of the paper should contain examples of what a boy/young man goes through in these rites of passage.
Conclusion needs to show insights this boy/young man could gain through the process of going through the rites of passage.

Essay Instructions: Anthropology: Marriage and Divorce -- Your friends Tom and Jane, both believers, are facing a hard time in their marriage and want to consider their "options." However, before making a life-altering decision, they want to get the proper perspective on the issues involved and see what the Bible says. They know that you are a student of the Word and ask you for help.

What is the biblical teaching on marriage? Include requirements and limitations.
When does the Bible consider a couple married? How does this differ from the current popular understanding?
What is the biblical teaching on divorce? Does the Bible (especially the New Testament) allow divorce? If so, what are the grounds for divorce, and how they differ from what you witness in current society?
What are some objections to your view on divorce? Include the biblical evidence used against your view. How do you respond to the objections?
Is it ever acceptable for a Christian to remarry? If so, under which circumstances is it permissible?
What is the spiritual and social impact of divorce in the church and in the society at large?

Essay Instructions: Anthropology: Marriage and Divorce -- Your friends Tom and Jane, both believers, are facing a hard time in their marriage and want to consider their "options." However, before making a life-altering decision, they want to get the proper perspective on the issues involved and see what the Bible says. They know that you are a student of the Word and ask you for help.

Keeping this scenario in mind, answer the following questions in your essay:

What is the biblical teaching on marriage? Include requirements and limitations.
When does the Bible consider a couple married? How does this differ from the current popular understanding?
What is the biblical teaching on divorce? Does the Bible (especially the New Testament) allow divorce? If so, what are the grounds for divorce, and how they differ from what you witness in current society?
What are some objections to your view on divorce? Include the biblical evidence used against your view. How do you respond to the objections?
Is it ever acceptable for a Christian to remarry? If so, under which circumstances is it permissible?
What is the spiritual and social impact of divorce in the church and in the society at large?