Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange Background Cultural Anthropologists have a saying that their work is "to make the strange seem familiar, and the familiar seem strange." This is...

Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange
Background    
Cultural Anthropologists have a saying that their work is "to make the strange seem familiar, and the familiar seem strange." This is one of the central themes of the work that cultural anthropologists do. Cultural anthropologists can be understood as translators of cultural behaviors. Traditionally, anthropologists traveled to far-flung, small-scale, non-Western societies and
ought back stories of the people. Anthropologists wove these stories into ethnographic accounts that made the exotic natives seem familiar, understandable and less unusual.
Today, anthropologists more and more are conducting research in large-scale complex societies and presenting cultural behaviors that are more familiar to readers in a new light that makes the reader re-consider the meanings behind those behaviors. The text Body Ritual among the Nacirema is a classic article that was written by anthropologist Horace Miner in 1956, at a time when anthropologists were just beginning to shift their research from small-scale societies to large-industrial societies like the US. This article attempts to make the familiar (personal hygiene practices) seem utterly exotic and strange to the extent that the reader views them in a new light. In this assignment you will do the same.
Assignment Guidelines
Think of some examples of familiar cultural behaviors that can be viewed differently by practitioners (cultural insiders) and observers (cultural outsiders). Choose at least one cultural behavior and write a short essay that is like the Nicarema essay in style. Be sure the behavior(s) is not the same as those described in the Nicarema essay or the student essay examples provided in D2L.
In your essay describe the behavior you chose using a scientific and etic (cultural outsider) tone and perspective. Write the essay as if you were an anthropologist describing the behavior to someone foreign to the culture. It is important that you describe the behavior in a new way that makes the behavior seem strange and foreign to cultural insiders. As Minor does in his essay, you may wish to (slightly) exaggerate certain behaviors or interpret their meaning in a unique way. Your essay should be at least three and no longer than five pages in length (double spaced, Times New Roman font, 12 point font size, normal one inch margins)
Reflection Questions
Next, reflect on your experience of writing the essay and respond to the following three questions Each response should be complete and 150 words in length or longer.
1. Did you find writing this essay to be challenging? Why or why not? What did you learn about why people do what they do, even if it doesn’t make sense to us?
2. How should anthropologists go about describing other people’s cultural worlds, and how do we know if these descriptions are accurate?
3. In your own words (do not use the exact word-for-word definition from another source) define the terms ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Which of these best describes the anthropological approach to other cultures? Why?
Formatting Requirements:
Points will be deducted if you fail to meet any of the following formatting requirements:
1. The assignment should be 3-5 full pages in length including the reflection questions.
2. Paper should be written in 12 point font, using Times New Roman font, be double spaced and using standard 1” margins.
3. Your last name and page number should be placed in the right header of every page.
GRADING
One point will be deducted for each day the assignment is late. No points will be given for assignments submitted in a format other than one of the following: Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF (.pdf).
NOTE: If your assignment is turned in late it will be deducted one point for each date it is late.
Grading Ru
ic
    Section
    Required Content
    Points
    Cultural behavio
    At least one specific, identifiable American cultural behavior is chosen and described
    7
    Scientific/objective style of writing
    The essay is written in a scientific/ objective style similar to that of the Nacirema essay.
    7
    Behavior description
    Essay describes the behavior(s) in a new way that makes the behavior seem strange and foreign to cultural insiders, similar to the Minor essay.
    10
    Reflection questions
    Questions are complete and responses are at least 150words in length, are accurate and unique to the student.
    6
    Total Points:
    
    30