Anthropology 291-01
Economic Anthropology
Spring 2001

Study Guide Questions for Readings
January 27 (M), January 29 (W), February 2 (F)

Read: Engels, The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, Chapters One and Two

1. How does Engels use anthropology, particularly Morgan's work, to constuct his model of economic and cultural evolution?

2. How does Engels explain the evolution of the patriarchal household? How does he relate economic change (infrastructure) to changes in social relations and cultural attitudes (superstructure)? Do you find his model convincing? Why or why not?

3. How does Engels explain the appearance of gendered divisions of labor? How do these relate to the tasks of reproduction and production? What kind of evidence does he offer in support of his characterizations?

4. Based on your reading, what do you think Engels' would say human nature is? How might his answer compare to that of Adam Smith or Bronislaw Malinowski?

 

 

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