TAKE-HOME ESSAY

You have a choice of two topics – or, more precisely, two different versions of a single question.  Choose Option A or Option B. Do not combine them, or write on any other topic!

TAKE-HOME ESSAY OPTION A

Topic and Guidelines

According to sociologist Steve Bruce, “Human biology does nothing to structure human society” (Sociology: A Very Short Introduction, 22). Evaluate this claim with respect to romantic love, sexual attraction, and marriage.

Your paper should be in the range of four to eight pages, and should make significant use of a variety of the course materials.  Be sure to read carefully the articles in Time magazine, and draw substantially on at least two of the three social sciences we have been considering (Anthropology, Sociology and Psychology). Please see “Suggested Resources in the Course Materials,” below.

Among the issues you might consider are these:

• biochemical dynamics in romantic love (Time articles; New York Times article);
• patterns of human development (Time articles and Psychology: A Very Short Introduction);
• anthropological treatments of culture and society;
• anthropological studies of marriage and family;
• Bruce’s discussions of social construction (of reality), biological determinism, world-openness, and the importance of roles in structuring human societies;
• Bruce’s argument that modernization promotes individualism; and
• the discussion in Psychology: A Very Short Introduction of emotions and motivations and the presentation of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

There may be other possibilities in the reading and in material presented in class.

You will want to be somewhat selective.  It is not possible to cover all the issues and use all the materials in this kind of assignment.

Suggested Resources in the Course Materials

Butler, Gillian, and Freda McManus. Psychology: A Very Short Introduction.  Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1998.

Chapter 5: emotions and motivations

Chapter 6: developmental psychology

Bruce, Steve.  Sociology: A Very Short Introduction.  Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.

            Chapter 2: Social Constructions

            Chapter 4: The Modern World

Monaghan, John, and Peter Just.  Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction.  Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

            Chapter 2: Culture

            Chapter 3: Society

            Chapter 4: Sex and Blood

Time Magazine, February 11, 2008

The Science of Romance: Why We Love

Why We Flirt

Marry Me

Young Love

Romance Is An Illusion

TAKE-HOME ESSAY OPTION B

Topic and Guidelines

According to sociologist Steve Bruce, “Human biology does nothing to structure human society” (Sociology: A Very Short Introduction, 22). Evaluate this claim with respect to diet and nutrition. 

Your paper should be in the range of four to eight pages, and should make significant use of a variety of the course materials.  Be sure to read carefully the food-related articles from The Economist and the New York Times and draw substantially on at least two of the three social sciences we have been considering (Anthropology, Sociology and Psychology). Please see “Suggested Resources in the Course Materials,” below.

Among the issues you might consider are these:

• The role of culture in distinguishing between what is and is not food (Anthropology)
• “World-openness and related concepts and issues discussed by Steve Bruce (Sociology)
• The treatment of memory and learning In Psychology, chapter 2.
• The treatments in Psychology, chapter 5 of
  • emotions and motivations,
  • primary and secondary motives,
  • Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and
  • homeostatic drive theory and goal theory.
  • (The authors write, “The motives behind our actions are guides by several forces: hunger is a biological motive, acceptance a social one, and curiosity a psychological one.”  (56)  Revisit the discussion of food in Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction (38-43) and ask whether these different kinds of motives can be seen to be at work in the anthropologists’ discussion.)
• The treatment of social psychology in Psychology, chapter 9.
• Michael Pollan’s views concerning the roles played by nutritionists, the food industry, and journalists in creating widespread confusion about what people should eat. (Michael Pollan, "Unhappy Meals," New York Times, January 28, 2007. )
• Pollan’s description and critique of “nutritionism,” and the kind of science associated with it.
• Pollan’s references to culture and family.
• The impact of parental behavior on children’s eating (New York Times, “6 Food Mistakes Parents Make,” September 15, 2008

` Preparing and Submitting the Essay

(Guidelines apply to both options)

• Double-space and use a 12-point font.
• Use Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), or save your work in a text file (.rtf or .txt),.  If you use any other kind of file, the professor may not be able to open it, and you may not receive credit for your work.
• Submit the essay as an attachment to an e-mail.  Be sure that the subject line of the e-mail says Human Perspectives Essay, followed by your full name (e.g., Human Perspectives Essay, Kobe Bryant.)
• The deadline is 8:00 AM on Monday, February 23..  Late papers are normally not accepted for credit.

Finding Information, Citing Sources, and Academic Integrity

Use the course materials, i.e., assigned readings and class presentations.  It is strongly recommended that you not look for information or ideas outside of the course materials.  If you do consult any other source(s), you must provide a Works Consulted page with full bibliographic data for each one.

When you cite course materials in the paper, feel free to use any system (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), or even informal methods, as long as they are consistent and clear.

The paper must satisfy the University’s requirements of academic integrity.  It must be your own work.  You must acknowledge any sources you use and any assistance you may get from others.  No credit is given for work that violates Academic Integrity requirements.

Evaluation of the essay

When I read your paper I will ask myself:

1. Did you respond effectively to the assigned question?
2. Did you demonstrate command of key material in the assigned reading?
3. Did you make a compelling case for your view by means of rational argument, effective documentation, etc.?
4. Was your paper professionally presented in clear, accurate, Standard English?  (Matters such as organization, word selection, and grammar are important.)