“The Cultural Construction of Violent Conflict” (by R. Robbins)

1 Required Reading, on E-Reserve: “The Cultural Construction of Violent Conflict” (by R. Robbins)

Make this an example of your very best writing:

Þ turn turn off your phone to avoid unnecessary distractions
Þ unless otherwise noted, each answer should use material in your assigned reading(s)
Þ never ever, ever cruise the web!!!
Þ each answer should be a minimum of 5-7 sentences
Þ no quoting at any time; use your own words (but edit, revise, & proofread)
Þ be sure to carefully read the “Guidelines” (where available)
Þ DO NOT ASSERT — EXPLAIN
Þ please number your answers so they correspond to the number of each question

1. This is an opinion question (finally!). Most anthropologists believe that violence is “culturally constructed” (rather than inherent in our biology or genetic make-up). Do you agree or disagree? Carefully and fully explain your reasoning and support it with at least one (1) concrete example.

2. This is a 2-part question. Part (a): Using the examples on pps. 289-297, describe five (5) different emic reasons and justifications people in non-western small-scale cultures offer for valuing violence. (Guidelines: for each justification, identify the culture you are discussing and describe each emic reasons in more than 1-2 words). Part (b): In the U.S., describe a religious, or a gendered, or an economic, or a political belief that places a high value on violence.

3. This is a 2-part question. Part (a): In your own words (that is, do not plagiarize) what is “rhetoric “? Part (b): To show me that you understand what “rhetoric” is, describe a very specific and concrete example of rhetoric — in the U.S. — that supports war and violence (your example may be historical or from the present day). (Guidelines: do not just describe the situation/scenario in which rhetoric is used – give me the actual rhetoric).

4. Provide a concrete example to show how either sexism or racism plays a role in violence sponsored by the government of a large-scale culture. (Guidelines: you only need to discuss one example and it need not be from the U.S.)