Reaction Paper #2

[Sam]

This is due next Wed.

Anthro 3
Reaction Paper #2
Instructor: Sam Connell

National Geographic Homework Project

This assignment is designed to have you trace discoveries in
archaeology using a popular American cultural icon - The National
Geographic Magazine. You are expected to read any combination of at
least two articles from two different decades. When you make a choice
of what articles to read, come up with a clear reason why you intended
to read those specific articles. You are expected to hand in a single
page (not more) comparing and contrasting the articles. This should be
a clear, coherent, and well-prepared page that assesses the questions
below. We will also be talking about and comparing these articles in
class.
The National Geographic articles can be found at the Foothill Library
from 1969 onwards, which is not as old as I had hoped SO if you are
near Mountain View Library they have from 1911. And so does
practically every other big library in the region.
The National Geographic is a bellwether for current interests and also
current events. Although current events are usually not covered
directly, such as Life Magazine, I want you to think of these articles
as representing the intersection of archaeology and popular culture.
What can you say and observe that might indicate why a certain tone,
particular topic, or narrative was chosen. In terms of the class
there are many different ways to look at this assignment and to think
about it. I am hoping that rather than simply comparing the articles
for content you will instead think about the historical context of the
research, in other words, the perspective of the times. I prepared
some things to think about below:

1) Do we see changes over time in how archaeologists thought and
theorized about a culture and social changes? Is it evident in the
articles? Do we see Antiquarians? Or Descriptive Archaeologists? Or
Explanatory Archaeologists? OR a combination?
2) Check out other articles, and advertisements, do they tell us
something about the perspective or social context that the article was
written in? Would this affect the subject matter? Do we see any
"signs of the times" in these articles?
3) For whom are the articles intended?
4) How about the stylized artwork done by Geographic artists, does it
change through time?
5) Some say that archaeology will only survive as a field as long as
it proves itself pertinent to society today, how have archaeologists
changed their strategies to remain pertinent and important in the eyes
of the public?

End Note: Make sure you reference the articles in your discussion.
Use Reference Style that copies the Following

1992 Maya Masterpiece Revealed at Bonampak. In National Geographic.
Vol 187, No. 2, page 50-69.