The document provides instructions for students to complete a final research paper on cultural relativism. It explains that the paper must compare the student's own culture from an outsider's perspective with another culture from an insider's perspective. It stresses applying cultural relativism, which means understanding cultural practices in their own contexts rather than imposing one's own values. The paper should have two main parts framed by an introduction and conclusion, describing one's own and another culture respectively. Examples and formatting guidelines are provided for the different sections.

1. PLEASE FOLLOW THE EXAMPLES ATTACHED TO GUIDE
YOU ON HOW THIS PAPER SHOULD BE COMPLETED!!!
READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY TO NOT MISS
ANYTHING REQUIRED IN THIS PAPER!!!
Final Research Paper
In the Final Research Paper, you will examine your own culture
from an etic (outsider’s) perspective and another culture from
an emic (insider’s) perspective to demonstrate your
understanding of cultural relativism and examine
misconceptions and ethnocentric beliefs concerning each of
these cultures. Keep the distinction between cultural relativism
and moral relativism in mind as you write your final paper.
Even if you do not personally agree with a cultural practice,
demonstrate your understanding of the practice in its cultural
context. Avoid opinionated or judgmental language in your
paper.
Cultural relativism is the idea that the beliefs and practices of a
culture should be understood within the context of that
particular culture’s background, history, and current events
surrounding it. We should not ethnocentrically impose our own
beliefs and opinions, which are products of our own
enculturation.
Cultural relativism is not the same as moral relativism,
however. As Crapo (2013) notes
We need not, for instance, come to value infanticide in order to
understand the roles it may play in peoples’ lives in a society
where it is customary. What cultural relativism requires of us is
simply that we do not confuse our own feelings about such a
custom with understanding it. To do the latter, we must
investigate the meanings the custom has for those who practice
it and the functions it may fulfill in their society. (section 1.4,
“Cultural Differences: Cultural Relativism,” para. 3)
Keep the distinction between cultural relativism and moral

2. relativism in mind as you write your Final Research Paper. Even
if you do not personally agree with a cultural practice,
demonstrate your understanding of the practice in its cultural
context. Avoid opinionated or judgmental language in your
paper.
Your Final Research Paper will consist of two main parts,
framed by an Introduction and a Conclusion.
See the
Final Paper Flow Chart
for a quick overview of the assignment. See the following
instructions for information on each part of the paper.
Introduction
Begin with an introductory paragraph that has a thesis statement
at the end. The introduction should set up your topic, giving a
preview and summary of the analysis you will present in the
body of the paper. The thesis statement is the last sentence or
two of the introduction and states what the main point
structuring your paper will be.
ATTACHED is an
Example of an Introduction
.
Part I
Using the article by Miner (1956) and the feedback you received
from your instructor on your worksheet in Week Three, describe
one aspect of your own culture from an etic perspective. See the
appropriate Sections in the Textbook in the
List of Topics
, based on your chosen topic from Week Three, for information
on how to approach your paper from an anthropological
perspective. You can describe American culture in general, as
Miner does, or you can describe an American subculture, such
as a specific geographical group (e.g., New Yorkers), a

3. particular ethnicity (e.g., African Americans), or an age-related
category of Americans (e.g., millennials).
Use reputable statistics and/or scholarly research to support any
factual statements. Do not rely solely on personal experience or
opinion.
ATTACHED IS
Example of Part I
.
Part II
Refer to the article you chose for Part II of the worksheet
assignment in Week Three and describe an aspect of another
culture from an emic (insider’s) perspective. You do not have to
do research beyond reading your chosen article; however, if you
do choose to conduct additional research make sure to use
reputable statistics and/or scholarly sources to support any
factual statements. Do not rely upon personal experience or
opinion.
ATTACHED is an
Example of Part II
.
Conclusion
End with a concluding paragraph that reinforces your thesis.
Summarize and tie together your main points for the reader.
Provide a brief self-reflexive analysis of what you learned while
writing this paper.
ATTACHED is an
Example of Conclusion
.
The Final Research Paper
Must be five to six double-spaced pages in length (excluding

4. title page and references page, meaning it will be seven to eight
pages total), and formatted according to APA style
Must include a title page (see
title page
) with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct
thesis statement.
Must have well-structured body paragraphs with clear
transitions from one topic to the next. Incorporate in-text
citations (see
In-Text Citation Guide
) from your scholarly sources to support your analysis
throughout the paper.
Must describe an aspect of your own culture from an etic
perspective for Part I.
Must describe an aspect of another culture from an emic
perspective for Part II.
Must demonstrate a perspective of cultural relativism
throughout, avoiding judgmental and opinionated language.
Must end with a conclusion that that reinforces the thesis and
provides a self-reflexive analysis.
Must use at least one scholarly resource in addition to the
textbook, the Miner article, and the article chosen from the list
in Part II of the Week Three assignment.
Must document all sources in APA style in the body of the
paper and on the references page
Must include a separate References Page that is formatted
according to APA style.