Question 1

Traditionally, in order to be Jewish, a person must have a Jewish mother, follow the Jewish religion, and abide by kosher food limitations. Although they are not ironclad, these customs set "traditional" Jewish people apart from others. What concept does this serve to illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This concept serves to illustrate ethnic boundary markers, which are cultural practices that distinguish one ethnic group from another. The requirement for a Jewish mother and adherence to specific religious and dietary practices serve as markers of Jewish identity and membership in the Jewish community.

Question 2

What do we call the process through which new immigrants and their children enculturate into the dominant national culture, but retain a distinct ethnic culture of their own?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

Since ethnicity is not biologically fixed, self-identification with a particular ethnic group can change through what process?

Accepted Answer

Situational negotiation of identity refers to the process by which an individual's self-identification with a particular ethnic group can change based on the social context in which they find themselves. This may be influenced by various factors such as migration, intermarriage, or cultural adoption. It is important to note that ethnicity is not a biologically fixed trait, but rather a social construct that is subject to change over time.

Question 4

Since the 1600s, there has been an influx of many different nationalities into the United States. What particular process do many of today's immigrants experience after they gain entry?

Accepted Answer

Many of today's immigrants experience assimilation, which is the process of adapting to and integrating into the cultural norms and values of the host country.

Question 5

Every year, Americans gather in summer to celebrate Independence Day-the Fourth of July. Parades, fireworks, and hot dogs are all part of this annual ritual. What particular component of ethnicity is embodied in this celebration?

Accepted Answer

The celebration of Independence Day on the Fourth of July embodies the origin myth of American society, which emphasizes the country's history and founding as a nation. It reinforces a narrative of American exceptionalism and reinforces a shared understanding of national identity.

Question 6

A group of people who share an idea of cultural and ancestral connection and who see themselves as distinct from people in other groups are described as a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

An ethnic group is a group of people who share a common cultural and ancestral connection and see themselves as distinct from people in other groups based on those traits. The other choices (society, cultural dominion, and nation) do not necessarily imply this sense of distinct identity and cultural connection.

Question 7

Illegal border crossings in the southwestern United States have led to the enactment of laws to try to stop the influx of immigrants. Sometimes the legal language is written in a manner that signifies "American-ness," using veiled racial markers to clearly identify those who are "in" and those who are "out." This particular kind of demarcation is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The term that best fits the description in this scenario is "ethnic boundary," as it refers to a separation or differentiation between one ethnic group and another. Apartheid and segregation specifically refer to systems of legal discrimination and racial separation, which may not apply in this situation. "Cultural wall" is not a commonly used term in this context.

Question 8

When minorities abandon their separate identity and adopt the culture and norms of the dominant group, what are they practicing?

Accepted Answer

Assimilation refers to the process by which a minority group adopts the cultural practices and norms of the dominant group, often resulting in the loss of the minority group's distinctive identity. Nationalization and integration refer to the inclusion of minority groups into a larger political or social entity while maintaining their distinct cultural identity, and absorption is not a commonly used term in this context.

Question 9

Swedish people share a common language, culture, and ideals; therefore, Sweden-the country they live in-illustrates which concept?

Accepted Answer

Sweden is both a nation, as a result of its shared language, culture and ideals, and a state, as it is a defined territory and has a government. Therefore, it is a nation-state.

Question 10

According to legend, the Aztecs wandered across what is today Mexico until they came to an island where an eagle was standing on a cactus with a snake in its mouth. According to prophecy, this would be their new home. The Aztecs established their capital city on an island in Lake Texcoco, where tradition says their ancestors found the eagle. What concept about ethnicity does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

This legend demonstrates an origin myth, which is a traditional story that explains the origins of a cultural group or phenomenon. It tells the story of how the Aztecs came to their new homeland and establishes a connection between the people and their ancestral past.

Question 11

A man from Cuba and a man from Peru both move to the United States. Although they did not identify with one another while living in their countries of origin, they both come to identify themselves as members of the same group ("Hispanic") within the United States. This example illustrates:

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the situational negotiation of identity, as the two men come to identify themselves as members of the same group within the context of living in the United States, despite their different nationalities and identities in their home countries.

Question 12

Carlos Murphy is from an Irish Mexican family, and he rides with pride on the Sons of Erin float in the St. Patrick's Day parade and drinks horchata with his Mexican relatives the next day. In these two different ethnic activities, Carlos is:

Accepted Answer

Carlos is able to navigate between his Irish and Mexican identities depending on the situation, indicating that he is applying situational negotiation of identity. He does not adhere to a rigid concept of self or employ rationalization of identity, nor does he appear to be using simulated nationalism.

Question 13

What term originally referred to a distinct group of people with a shared place of origin, but is now most commonly used to refer to a country?

Accepted Answer

The term "nation" originally referred to a distinct group of people with a shared place of origin or cultural identity. However, it is now more commonly used to refer to a country as a political entity encompassing a defined territory and a population with a shared sense of identity and government.

Question 14

What term is used to describe a political entity located within a geographic boundary with enforced borders whose population shares a sense of culture, ancestry, and destiny?

Accepted Answer

A nation-state is a political entity that is uniquely defined by its geographic boundaries, with enforced borders, and a population that shares a sense of culture, ancestry, and destiny. The idea behind a nation-state is that it is based on the concept of national self-determination. This means that the people within the nation-state have the right to govern themselves according to their own cultural and political values, without interference from outside forces.

Question 15

Most ethnic groups establish traits that set them apart from others and identify members of their own group. Anthropologists call these ________.

Accepted Answer

Ethnic boundary markers are traits that distinguish one ethnic group from another and are used to identify members of one's own group. Examples include language, religion, dress, and customs. Cultural significant traits and social signifiers may also play a role in identifying a group but do not necessarily establish ethnic boundaries. Ethnic-making projects is not a commonly used term in anthropology.

Question 16

The place where a person is born determines his or her affiliation with which entity?

Accepted Answer

The nation-state is the entity that is determined by the place of birth. It refers to the political and geographical territory that is recognized as a sovereign state. Each person born within a particular nation-state is considered a citizen of that state.

Question 17

The term ________ was formerly used to identify people with a shared geographic place of origin, but it is now synonymous with ________.

Accepted Answer

The term "nation" was formerly used to identify people with a shared geographic place of origin, but it is now synonymous with "nation-state." The term "state" generally refers to a political entity, while "society" is a broader term that includes cultural, economic, and social aspects of a group of people. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it correctly identifies the evolution of the term "nation."

Question 18

A story that is told about the founding and history of a particular group to reinforce a common sense of identity is called ________.

Accepted Answer

An origin myth is a story that explains the founding and history of a particular group, often including supernatural elements, and is used to reinforce a common sense of identity. A creation story and a folktale may be similar in nature, but an origin myth specifically focuses on the origins and history of a particular group. History is a broader term that can refer to any recorded past events, while an origin myth typically has a cultural or religious significance.

Question 19

The text recounts the problems experienced by the French soccer team in the World Cup including tempers and refusals to practice. The tensions on the French soccer team reflect a deeply held perspective on what being "French" really means and is a window into the problems that surround what concept?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The text recounts the problems experienced by...

Question 20

The text describes the way that immigrants from India have established their own cultural norms within New York City. The way the Indian community has chosen to celebrate its ethnicity by holding a large India Day festival is an example of what aspect of ethnicity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The text describes the way that immigrants...

Quiz 7: Ethnicity and Nationalism