Anthropology Rite of Passage Tattoo Discussion

Choose a topic of interest that we have covered in class and 1) Conduct an observation for at least 30 minutes of it. For example, it can be of a rite of passage (such as a Bar Mitzvah, wedding, milestone birthday, graduation, etc.), food (such as going to an international restaurant and observing the ambiance and menu, ordering an unfamiliar dish, etc.), economics (such as going to a department store and seeing how ‘commodities’ are turned into ‘gifts’, observing the layout and other ways that items are displayed to the consumer, etc.), or any other topic. Please write at least 300 words describing the event and your opinions of it.

Then, 2) Come up with at least 3 questions and interview someone based on that same topic. For example, you can ask a roommate, friend, or family member what their favorite rite of passage has been in their life. Do they consider tattoos and other body modifications to be rites of passages? What is the most unusual rite of passage that they have heard of? Would they ever participate in it? Please write at least 300 words summarizing the interview.

Then, 3) Look up a scholarly article pertaining to your topic. For example, you can look up a specific rite of passage (such as a wedding ceremony, Bar Mitzvah, other initiations into adulthood) in any country of interest. Briefly describe it and explain how it connects with the course lectures and/or observation/interview. What are your thoughts on the article? Please write at least 300 words (using no more than one short direct quote if at all) and include a full citation (author, date, title of article, title of journal, page range) at the bottom. The citation is not included in the word count.

Then, 4) Provide a short reflection of this assignment in at least 300 words. Did you enjoy it? Did you notice anything surprising or interesting? How has your understanding of diversity and social justice changed through this project (or even broader course)? What was your favorite topic/case study that we went over in class? Do you have any suggestions for improvement? Are you interested in taking similar courses in the future? How can you apply this course to your major?

However, I have attached the class schedule which has all the topics we covered in the class so you can choose a topic from there to work on for this assignment.