16 Jan Urbanization and the Loss of Cultural Identity

Problem: Rapid urban growth disrupts traditional lifeways, social networks, and cultural transmission.

As the final step in your journey toward your bachelor of arts in anthropology, you will complete a capstone that integrates the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your program by creating a publication-worthy white paper and professional presentation. The white paper and presentation will address a real-world problem within anthropology or your concentration (if enrolled in a concentration). You will identify the problem, analyze applicable research, apply relevant anthropological theories, and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Anthropology is a science born out of the upper-class society of the mid-nineteenth century and ideals of colonialism, but the field of anthropology has never been more relevant than it is today, given the advent of a global economy and advances in communication technologies. What used to be a picture-laden article about an exotic, so-called primitive culture in National Geographic magazine now has the potential to go viral shortly after this culture is encountered. Now more than ever as a society, there is a need to be aware of the vast diversity of human cultures and how to navigate these differences respectfully. As an anthropologist, you will apply anthropological theory and methods to analyze today’s human-related issues, and share the results of your research with your peers and the general public alike. You will play a part in working toward a better tomorrow.

Prompt

Milestone One should set the stage for your white paper. State the real-world problem you have selected and provide the necessary background information, including the location of the problem and the populations and resources involved. Include all the information you think is necessary to establish a comprehensive analysis and foundation for understanding your chosen topic.

Based on your research of the selected problem, develop an anthropological research question. Ensure this research question is viable and feasible, as you will need adequate sources to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the identified problem. You will also explain the relationship and value of your research question to the field of anthropology as a whole or to your specific concentration (if applicable) within the anthropology program.

What to Submit

This milestone should be 3 to 4 pages in length (in addition to the title page, table of contents, reference pages, and visual aids). It should use 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Information should be cited according to APA style.