The readings for today reminded me about the significance of art in our society, past and present. We humans have a rich history of art, ranging from cave paintings, to Da Vinci’s masterful sculptures, to graffiti. Art represents cultural meaning to an artist. Just like a book can be interpreted in multiple ways, so can graffiti. Literature, after…[Read more]

Trash often is a reflection of society. It provides us with concrete examples on how a society funtions. It also poses a major logistical challenge for cities, since millions of people generate thousands upon thousands of tons of garbage. Reusing items, destined for the bin, also gives insight on how a person views value on certain…[Read more]

I went to Stonewall Inn with a friend last Saturday evening. The commute there was definitely something, considering it’s been a while since I went to Greenwich Village. Trains got delayed, but we got there eventually. When we finally got it the bar, though, it was nice. Everyone was friendly and talkative. As for the bar itself, it looked pretty…[Read more]

These articles talk about how history is often influenced by perspective. One group may view one thing differently than another group. Changes in society over time also create differences in perspective. However, even when idea’s change, humanity’s way of thinking remains the same.

Geller talks about how the human body is viewed by society. What…[Read more]

Perceptions on gender change over time, with different trends popping up as the years go by. What may seem as masculine in one time period will be different from another. What may seem feminine also will change over time. Time isn’t the only factor, however. Different cultures in different parts of the world have a variety of views on…[Read more]

Enthographies play an important role in modern anthropolgy, since they offer quantifiable data on how people act in a society. Enthographies can include the person’s social and economic status. They can also offer an insight on where people go, and what are some popular social gatherings. Finally interviewing offers an insight into the person’s…[Read more]

The articles for this week reflect on how socioeconomic factors affect a person’s, or a group of people’s, quality of life. Many people come to this country seeking more financial opportunities. Sometimes they find themselves in situations that are no better than what was found at home. Racism and alienation are systemic problems that found…[Read more]

One point brought up in the lecture was the topic of displacement. The act of forcibly removing one group from a particular territory goes way back in history, into prehistory even. There is archeological evidence for such violent acts. In my other anthropology classes, I recall the Nataruk Massacre being mentioned. A  large group of people were…[Read more]

If I had to choice two words to summarise up these articles nicely, it would be “remembrance” and “transparency.” The reason why I use the word “remembrance” is due to the issue of giving voice to those who were historically oppressed  in any society. As mentioned before in class, a large role of anthropolgy is giving voice to those who aren’t…[Read more]

The articles of this week show a dichotomy of tradional versus non-traditional values, and their influences on society. For the purposes of this reflection, I will offers my insights on the given articles.

“The Puerto Rican Yard-Complex of Lorain, Ohio” shows how cultures adapt to new environments, as well as bring up the now famous idea of the…[Read more]

Matthew Wojcik
Urban Archeology
Archeology, like every area of study, neads to adapt to the society around it, because whatever is created by humans has been, and will always be, in a state of constant flux. For this article, I will talk about “Time to destroy. An archaeology of super modernity,” by Gonzalez-Ruibal; “Exorcising ‘the plague of…[Read more]

“Race and Prosaic Materiality: the Archaeology of Contemporary Urban Space and the Invisible Color line,” by Paul Mullins and “Native American Historical Archaeology and the Trope of Authenticity,” Craig N. Cipolla both present themes of displacement and alienation. The two authors in their articles deal with two different groups; African…[Read more]