| Thought essay #2 The second key part of the anthropological perspective is holism, the idea that all the parts of a culture are integrated. However, anthropology distinguishes the economic domain of culture as the "base" or "core" of the culture. What do anthropologists mean when they say that culture is integrated, and why do we say that economics is the "core" or "base" of the culture? Discuss in some detail the ways that economic (especially production but also distribution and even consumption) practices shape other aspects of culture and society--groups, organization, gender roles and relations, values, institutions, beliefs, and personality traits--and give some specific examples. Finally, discuss how production, distribution, and consumption practices in America (or whatever society you know best) shape its culture, organization, and values.(35 points) |