Anthropology 2023 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Write short notes

Q1

Write notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Scope and relevance of Social and Cultural Anthropology 10 (b) Cultural impact of Iron Age 10 (c) Race and Ethnicity 10 (d) Customary laws and Environmental conservation 10 (e) Gene expression 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित पर लगभग 150 शब्दों (प्रत्येक) में टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए : (a) सामाजिक तथा सांस्कृतिक मानवविज्ञान का विस्तार एवं प्रासंगिकता 10 (b) लौह-युग का सांस्कृतिक प्रभाव 10 (c) नस्ल तथा नृजातीयता 10 (d) प्रथागत कानून एवं पर्यावरणीय संरक्षण 10 (e) जीन प्रकटन 10

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Directive word: Write short notes

This question asks you to write short notes. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

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How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'Write notes' demands concise, information-dense responses for each sub-part with equal weightage (10 marks × 5). Allocate approximately 150 words per part, spending roughly 6-7 minutes each. Structure each note with a definitional opening, 2-3 substantive points, and a brief applied conclusion. No single introduction or conclusion across parts—treat as five independent mini-answers.

Key points expected

(a) Scope and relevance: Define SCA as study of living cultures; distinguish from archaeology/physical anthropology; mention contemporary relevance (development, policy, Naxal studies, tribal welfare)
(b) Iron Age impact: Note iron tools enabling agricultural surplus; rise of janapadas and urbanization; Megalithic cultures in India (Brahmagiri, Nagarjunakonda); social stratification
(c) Race and Ethnicity: Distinguish biological race (morphological, genetic) from ethnic group (cultural, subjective); mention UNESCO 1950 statement; Indian context of jati vs. ethnic identity
(d) Customary laws and environment: Define customary law (unwritten, community-based); cite sacred groves (Khasi, Munda), water conservation (tanka, khat), forest management (Joint Forest Management origins)
(e) Gene expression: Define transcription/translation; mention epigenetics; relevance to human adaptation (high-altitude, lactase persistence); Indian examples (Andamanese, Tibetan studies)

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Concept correctness	20%	10	Precise definitions across all five parts: SCA distinguished from other branches; Iron Age correctly dated and linked to specific archaeological horizons; race as biological construct vs. ethnicity as cultural clearly separated; customary law distinguished from statutory law; gene expression mechanism accurately described with central dogma	Generally correct but fuzzy boundaries—SCA conflated with sociology; Iron Age mentioned without specific Indian sites; race/ethnicity used interchangeably; customary law vaguely described as 'tradition'; gene expression oversimplified to 'DNA determines traits'	Fundamental errors—SCA defined as study of 'ancient societies'; Iron Age confused with Chalcolithic; race presented as valid biological category for human classification; customary law equated with religious law; gene expression confused with genetic engineering or cloning
Theoretical framing	20%	10	Appropriate theoretical anchors: for (a) Malinowski's functionalism or Geertz's interpretive turn; for (b) Gordon Childe's urban revolution; for (c) Fredrik Barth's ethnicity theory; for (d) CPR theory (Ostrom) or ecological anthropology (Rappaport); for (e) epigenetic theory and developmental plasticity	Implicit theoretical awareness without naming—mentions 'holistic approach' for (a), 'surplus production' for (b), 'boundary maintenance' for (c), 'sustainable use' for (d), 'nature-nurture' for (e) but without theorist attribution	No theoretical framework—purely descriptive laundry lists; or inappropriate theories (e.g., applying unilineal evolution to Iron Age, or genetic determinism to gene expression without environmental interaction)
Ethnographic / Indian examples	20%	10	Rich Indian specificity: (a) Verrier Elwin's work with Gonds or SCST welfare schemes; (b) Painted Grey Ware/Northern Black Polished Ware cultures, specific Megalithic sites; (c) ethnic movements (Naga, Mizo) or caste-cluster studies; (d) specific sacred groves (Khasi law kyntang, Kodagu devarakadu), water temples (Bali, Shekhawati); (e) Indian Genome Variation data, Ladakhi/Tibetan hypoxia adaptation	Generic Indian references—'tribes of India' for (a), 'Megaliths' unnamed for (b), 'caste system' for (c), 'Chipko movement' for (d), 'sickle cell in tribals' for (e)—lacking ethnographic precision	No Indian examples or inappropriate ones—exclusively African/ethnographic classics for (a); European Iron Age for (b); US racial categories for (c); generic 'ancient Indians respected nature' for (d); Mendel's peas for (e)
Comparative analysis	20%	10	Explicit comparisons where relevant: (a) SCA vs. sociology vs. social anthropology (UK/US traditions); (b) Iron Age India vs. Mediterranean/Iron Age China; (c) race as biological category vs. ethnicity as process; (d) customary vs. codified environmental law effectiveness; (e) gene expression across species or populations	Implicit comparison through juxtaposition—mentions both social and cultural anthropology without explicit contrast; notes different Megalithic types without comparing; lists race and ethnicity features side by side	No comparative element—each part treated as isolated fact-cluster; or false comparisons (e.g., comparing Iron Age with Neolithic without clear analytical framework)
Conclusion & applied angle	20%	10	Each part closes with contemporary relevance: (a) SCA in Naxal policy, tribal sub-plan, disaster management; (b) Iron Age foundations of Indian civilization, ongoing archaeological significance; (c) policy implications of ethnicity-based reservations, census categories; (d) integration of customary law with Forest Rights Act 2006, PESA; (e) medical anthropology applications, pharmacogenomics for Indian populations	Generic concluding phrases—'thus SCA is important,' 'Iron Age changed society,' 'race and ethnicity matter today,' 'customary laws help environment,' 'gene expression is crucial'—without specific policy or practice linkage	No conclusion in any part; or abrupt endings; or irrelevant applied angles (e.g., suggesting genetic engineering solutions for gene expression part without anthropological framing)

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