The Repository

  Part 1)          For this portion of the experiment, I did not use any symbolic language (speaking, writing, or ASL), while my two partners in the conversation were free to communicate as normal. From my non-speaking perspective, it felt like I had much less impact on the conversation. A majority of time was taken up by my partners speaking to each other, while I would chime in with mime and gestures here and there. I also would mouth words, which helped me to be understood, but brought up the important fact that, although I wasn’t speaking, all parties still understood English, which allowed me to better communicate silently. My partners’ expressed that I seemed restricted in the conversation, and unable to partake fully as I usually would. One of my partners brought up the point that, because I told them the requirements for this experiment, they understood I was unable to speak and allowed more time within the conversation to try to understand wh...

       The largest rural concentration of Zulu people is in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The climate is humid and averages upwards of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is hot in the summers with occasional rain, and dry and sunny in the winters. This climate provides high UV exposure, along with heat, that can be difficult for the population.     One way the Zulu people have adapted physically to this climate is their darker complexion. Increased levels of melanin helps to shield the skin from excess UV radiation, as well as limit the likelihood of sunburns. This is very important for a group of people that spend the majority of their days out in the sun and heat. Example of Zulu peoples' complexion     Another way the Zulu people have adapted to their environment is through their cultural practices. The Zulu people have a long history with conflict due to colonial powers. This constant violence in their environment has impacted their culture and caused adap...

     Upon reading an excerpt of "Body Ritual of the Nacirema" by  Horace Miner, a few words came to mind.     The first descriptor that came to mind was "familiar." I found the majority of the text to be very reminiscent and descriptive of American culture. One of the examples of this is the way in which the author describes the Nacirema women's bodies being treated in the latipso , where the author writes, " Female clients, on the other hand, find their naked bodies are subjected to the scrutiny, manipulation and prodding of the medicine men." This experience of women being mistreated in a healthcare setting is very familiar to an American lens.      The second word I would use to describe the Nacirema culture is "idealistic." A focus of the article is the body ritual that is embedded in Nacirema culture. This body ritual is idealistic in its approach, with what would appear to be less focused on health in some instances, though not all, and...

 If  I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring two items, the first would be a survival guide, or some kind of book on how to survive in the wilderness. Maybe this is cheating, but as someone with very little survival experience, I would need all the help I can get.  The second item I would bring with me would be, if we want to get a little less practical, probably an iPod or something I could listen to music on. I think I would be pretty scared and lonely, so being able to listen to music would be a nice comfort. I'm not sure how much it would help me to get off of the island, but I would need the small joy while I'm there, or until the battery dies...