COVID-19

Participant-Observation of Coronavirus Pandemic PapersAnthropology is the study of humanity and human culture. The things I’ve seen and experienced at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic have been unique. People rushing to the store to stock pile bottled water, toilet tissue, food, and even vitamins (panic buying) has been somewhat alarming and eye-opening as examples for how people handle a crisis. I can’t help comparing it to the many post-apocalyptic television shows that are so popular right now. Your term paper (if you did not complete the previously planned research papers) is to write down and/or record your observations of humanity on three scales: 1. Local (in your county or city area)2. National (the U.S. other cities, the government response) and 3. Globally (what other nations do, and how they respond). Remember that culture is about the A) habits a group of people exhibit, and B) the habitual ways they tend to perceive (think and feel about) the world. As you write down your observations, try not to so personally “judge” or “criticize” what you have observed. Remember that your own opinions are already implied by the topics you emphasize, so you don’t have to vehemently state how you feel. Instead, try to explain what you observed in a manner that conveys how you understand why people might think or behave that way. If you do feel strongly as though there should be some comment against what you behaved, use your observation of others who rose up in opposition or contrast to the behavior or viewpoint you also oppose.(For example, you might feel that people who hoarded hand sanitizer to sell online at high prices is immoral, or perhaps you think it is clever. Instead of you directly commenting or criticizing the behavior based on your own opinion, instead discuss what you observed the responses to be from others through their posts online, or through signs placed in stores limiting the number of items that can be bought.) The Research:This is not a hard core research paper that requires peer-reviewed references from the library. However, every paper should list some cited (quoted) facts on either the virus, demographic statistics on the number of people sick and where, or any other facts that help to verify that you are not just spreading rumor or conspiracy theory. Citations:When trying to decide when, where and how to cite, remember that any idea or information you expect the reader to accept as true should be cited. Right after you use the cited material place the source name in parenthesis—no need to put page numbers or year in the text, just the name of the newspaper, tv show, documentary, or so on [NOTE: these are simpler instructions than what is normally expected]. Use in-text citation (just the source in parenthesis) after direct quotes or paraphrased information. Then, at the end of the paper, include the rest of the source information (author(s) if available, date, issue, page number, etc). Its probable that much of your cited information will come from online sources. if that is the case, the page number is probably not given or known, but make sure to include a URL. Otherwise, bibliography styles are your choice (MLA, APA, Chicago are usually an option in Word). The paper should still be between 2500 and 4000 words (generally between 4 to 6 pages but word count negates the effects of font size and style, so make sure your word counts fall within the margins). The Header section should have your name, date, and class info (MCC Anth 151 Spring 2020). The Footer section should have the page number, preferably in the center of the page. Font size and style are your choice (it doesn’t affect word count) but generally there is no need for your font size to be smaller than 12 point and larger than 14 point. Double space, or 1.5 space is more comfortable to read than single space. Margins should be either the default, or set to 1 inch all around (either one is fine).
ntroduction Paragraph (5 points):No introduction, just jumps right into the paper, or one to two short sentences that don’t really say anything—0 pointsSome introduction, but does not layout the general structure or expectation—1-2 pointsIntroduction with a slight indication of paper structure— 3-4 pointsIntroduction with a clear summary of paper structure— 5 pointsContent, and Information (60 points):Local:ohabitsHas some good information or conveys deep thoughts, but the paper doesn’t flow well, or thoughts are not organized.—2-5 pointsPresents good information or reflections and thoughts in a fairly logical and organized way, and utilizes anthropological perspective—6-10 pointsoperceptionsHas some good information or conveys deep thoughts, but the paper doesn’t flow well, or thoughts are not organized.—2-5 pointsPresents good information or reflections and thoughts in a fairly logical and organized way, and utilizes anthropological perspective—6-10 pointsNational:ohabitsHas some good information or conveys deep thoughts, but the paper doesn’t flow well, or thoughts are not organized.—2-5 pointsPresents good information or reflections and thoughts in a fairly logical and organized way, and utilizes anthropological perspective—6-10 pointsoperceptionsHas some good information or conveys deep thoughts, but the paper doesn’t flow well, or thoughts are not organized.—2-5 pointsPresents good information or reflections and thoughts in a fairly logical and organized way, and utilizes anthropological perspective—6-10 pointsGlobal:ohabitsHas some good information or conveys deep thoughts, but the paper doesn’t flow well, or thoughts are not organized.—2-5 pointsPresents good information or reflections and thoughts in a fairly logical and organized way, and utilizes anthropological perspective—6-10 pointsoperceptionsHas some good information or conveys deep thoughts, but the paper doesn’t flow well, or thoughts are not organized.—2-5 pointsPresents good information or reflections and thoughts in a fairly logical and organized way, and utilizes anthropological perspective—6-10 pointsConclusion (5 points):No conclusion at all, or just give a sentence or two—0-1 pointsSome conclusion but doesn’t really say much or summarize anything—2-3 pointsOK conclusion with some wrap up—4 pointsGood conclusion, summarizes major points—5 points
Research (5 points):On the virus itself, origin, symptoms, or epidemics and pandemicso0-2 pointsOn demographics, rates of infection, and other info related to population illness:olocal— 0-1 pointonational— 0-1 pointoglobal— 0-1 pointCitations / References (5 points):No citations or references given even though information warrants it—0 pointscitations in text but they are not referenced in the bibliography—1-2 pointsreferences in the bibliography but no in-text citations—3-4 pointscitations are utilized when necessary and correctly referenced in the bibliography—5 pointsLength / Formatting (5 points):Again, this will run the whole gambit with a variety of combinations, so just try to fit it into one of these categories as best as you canLots of formatting issues OR paper is too short.—0-1 pointsOnly a few formatting errors or missing pieces of information OR paper is too long— 2-3pointsProper length and few to no formatting issues—4-5 pointsGrammar and Spelling (5 points):Absolutely atrocious spelling and grammar, just can’t grade the paper because it doesn’t make any sense—0 pointsLots of grammatical and spelling mistakes, very distracting to reading the paper, needs to fix up a lot, but at least somewhat intelligible—1 pointsQuite a few errors, but at least readable and they get their points across somewhat understandably—2-3 pointsA few minor spelling and grammatical mistakes, but nothing too serious—4 pointsPerfect, or near perfect spelling and grammar—5 points