Module 4: Essay

Earlier this semester, you selected two cultural groups and a related topic in your Semester Research Project “Follow Your Own Path” Proposal. Now it is time to expand these into a full paper through research and writing!

Research 

As you research and collect information about the topic and the cultural groups you chose for your Proposal, remember to locate SIX scholarly resources, in addition to your textbook, to supplement your information and knowledge. These should be professional or academic sources.

Instructions

Write a 1500-word essay (no more than 1750 words), on the topic and two cultural groups you have proposed and researched.

• Include at least 7 internal citations within your essay (with at least one from each of your sources: your textbook and six outside sources), in support of your explanations. So this means:
  • Use your Perspectives textbook as ONE of your sources. This will be good for your anthropological concepts! 

Use THREE outside sources for the ’historically marginalized group’ within the U.S. 

• Use THREE outside sources for the ’historically marginalized group’ outside the U.S.
  • Quotations should be 10 words or less.

The essay assignment should include:  

1. Introduction: In your opening paragraph, introduce the topic and the two cultures you are studying. Include in-text citations for your sources.

a. Introduce the topic. 

b. State the names and geographic locations of the two cultural groups you are studying for your cross-cultural analysis.

c. Explain why you chose the topic and the cultural groups.

d. Introduce anthropological concepts. 

2. Exploration of the cultures and topic: This is the heart of your essay! It is a detailed discussion of the specific topic you have chosen, in each of the cultures in your research project. Support and document your findings with citations from your sources. Address the following areas in your essay, to share what  you have learned during your research.  

a. Exploration of the cultures and the topic.

1. Introduce the first culture you have studied for this assignment, and explain how they incorporate aspects of the topic you are studying into their lifeways.

2. Introduce the second culture you are studying, and explain how they incorporate aspects of the topic you are studying into their lifeways. 

b.  Application of anthropological concepts — these should be woven into your information on each of the cultures (not “tacked on” at the end).  

Explain and apply the anthropological concepts you have chosen, and use them to help define and analyze how your topic is incorporated into the lifeways of each culture. For example, how does an understanding of gender shed light on the ways people create and incorporate coming of age ceremonies in these cultures? Be sure to use an in-text citation from your textbook for each concept. 

c. Cross-cultural analysis.

Compare AND contrast the way specific aspects of the topic are incorporated in each culture. For example, each group may have a coming of age ritual, but the rituals will be specific to each culture! Be sure to explain one similarity AND one difference between the two cultures. 

3. Conclusion: Reflect on your research, and think about future research!

a. Explain one way this cross-cultural analysis has deepened your appreciation for the uniqueness of each culture or the topic in your essay. 

b. Discuss the cultural and anthropological relevance of your research. 

c. Describe one new area you would like to explore in your cross-cultural analysis. Explain how that would broaden your knowledge of the cutures or their lifeways. 

4. Bibliography or References List at the end of the essay.

Formatting

• Your essay should be a minimum of 1500 words (no more than 1,750 words), double-spaced. Include the word count after the last sentence in the paper for only the body of the paper. Don’t count the words in the heading, title or Works Cited/Bibliography. Remember, the assignment is graded for word count, not page length.
• Type your full name and “Semester Research Project” at the top of the first page.
• Include a Works Cited or Bibliography. Be sure to use full bibliographic references for all sources, including websites, formatted according to the citation style you have chosen.
  • Use the following links for each of the citations styles (MLA, Chicago, APA):
    • MLA Style – Excelsior Online Writing Lab
    • APA Style – Excelsior Online Writing Lab
    • Chicago Style – Excelsior Online Writing Lab
• Remember to proofread and edit for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Use the spell and grammar check!

Submission

Save your work as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file only. Other formats might not transmit and cannot be guaranteed on time or graded. Submit this assignment in the “Semester Research Project” Assignment Folder in our website.

Grading

The Proposal and the Semester Research Project will be graded based on the Writing Assignment Rubric below and be checked against anti-plagiarism software applications such as Turnitin.

Refer to the Schedule of Work for due dates on these written assignments.

Proposal: Semester Research Project Rubric (20 Points)
Exceeds Expectations (20 points)	Meets Expectations (15 points)	Almost Meets Expectations (10 points)	Does Not Meet Expectations (5 points)	Not Submitted (0 points)
150 words or more. Ideas are clear, specific, and meet or exceed minimum word requirement. At least one outside source is listed and cited.	150 words. Ideas are clear, but not specific. Paper may not meet minimum word count, but shows some critical and reflective thinking. At least one outside source is listed.	Less than 150 words. Ideas are not clear or specific. Does not minimum word requirement. At least one outside source is listed.	Less than 150 words. Does not address all required topics. Does not minimum word requirement. No outside source is mentioned.	Not submitted.

Essay: Semester Research Project Rubric (100 Points)
Exceeds Expectations (100 points)	Meets Expectations (76 points)	Almost Meets Expectations (54 points)	Does Not Meet Expectations (32 points)	Not Submitted (0 points)
Ideas/Content Anthropological ideas are clear, specific, and paper meets or exceeds minimum word requirement. Main ideas stand out along with details. Clearly illustrates critical and reflective thinking.	Ideas/Content Anthropological ideas are clear but information is general and predictable. Paper may not meet minimum word count, but shows some critical and reflective thinking.	Ideas/Content Anthropological ideas are clear but more information is needed. Paper may not meet  minimum word count. Poorly thought out response.	Ideas/Content Anthropological information is limited and text is repetitious. Paper does not meet minimum word count. No central theme. No evidence of having given the assignment real thought.	Ideas/Content Not submitted.
Anthropological Concepts Anthropological understanding is illustrated through an in-depth application of concepts presented in the course.	Anthropological Concepts Anthropological understanding is illustrated through a strong application of concepts presented in the course.	Anthropological Concepts Anthropological understanding is illustrated through an adequate application of concepts presented in the course.	Anthropological Concepts Anthropological understanding is illustrated through a superficial application of concepts presented in the course.	Anthropological Concepts No assignment submitted or submitted late.
Organization Organization (including introduction and conclusion) enhances the central theme. Sequencing is logical and transitions are smooth.	Organization Organization is adequate and introduction needs more anticipation. Conclusion leaves no closure. Connections are faint.	Organization Organization is not clear. Introduction is present, but has no lead. Conclusion is present but not clear.	Organization No clear direction with no lead or conclusion. Connections are confusing or incomplete.	Organization No assignment submitted or submitted late.
Conventions There are few or no errors in punctuation, capitalization, grammar and spelling. Paragraphing adds to organizational structure. Properly and explicitly cited.	Conventions There are a few errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization. Paragraphing may create problems. Properly cited.	Conventions Some usage, grammar, or paragraphing problems are more frequent. Spelling and end-of-sentence punctuation are almost always correct. Internal punctuation may be incorrect or missing. Improperly cited.	Conventions Errors in grammar and usage affect meaning. Paragraphing is missing or does not relate to organization of text. Frequent spelling errors. Punctuation is often missing or incorrect. Improperly cited or no citations present.	Conventions No assignment submitted or submitted late.

Annotated Bibliography