Using an Interpretivist Approach, Anthropologist Clifford Geertz (1926-2006) Argues That

question 63

Essay

Using an interpretivist approach, anthropologist Clifford Geertz (1926-2006) argues that seemingly straightforward actions such as winking have deep cultural meanings. Describe what constitutes an interpretivist approach. Next, provide your own example of a cultural action that you think conveys deep cultural meaning. What do you believe the action symbolizes culturally? How do you know that the action conveys deep cultural meaning and how did you learn its meaning? Would an individual need to be a member of the particular society in order to understand the deep cultural meaning of the action, or would anyone be able to interpret it correctly? Discuss why or why not.

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Definitions:

Shang

An early Chinese dynasty (around 1600–1046 BCE) known for its advanced bronze casting, development of a writing system, and ritual practices involving ancestor worship.

Asiatic Sumac

A type of shrub or small tree belonging to the genus Rhus, known for its colorful foliage and sometimes used for dye, tanning, or medicinal purposes.

Lacquer

A varnish-like substance made from the sap of the Asiatic sumac tree, used to decorate wood and other organic materials. Often colored with mineral pigments, lacquer cures to great hardness and has a lustrous surface.

Compositional Device

Techniques or strategies used by an artist to organize or structure the elements within an artwork, guiding the viewer's focus and shaping the overall effect or message.