ANTH Master's Projects
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Recent Submissions
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Klutzke, Sabrina (Wichita State University, May , 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this master’s project was to catalogue the Harris Klein Collection of African Art to facilitate its use and incorporate the information into the museum’s database. The Harris Klein Collection includes pieces from several different ethnic groups in western and central Africa. The subsequent research is ordered geographically from northwest to 2 southeast. The map in Appendix I follows the cultures described in the paper. An example from the Harris Klein collection is referenced by its 2008.02.xxx accession number next to its description in the paper. A table following each culture group lists all of the objects from the collection for that group. The objects can then be looked up in Appendix II, which includes the museum database forms from the collection. These forms provide additional information such as the object’s description, photograph and measurements. The collection is housed at the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology. Description: A project submitted to the Department of Anthropology of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3989 Files in this item: 1
Klutzke_research_project.pdf (4.664Mb) -
Perez-Elmore, Jerry R. (Wichita State University. Department of Anthropology, May , 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Site 41NU54 (Fort Lipantitlán/Lipantitlán State Historic Site) is a multi-component archaeological site in rural northwest Nueces County, Texas. Previous surveys and excavations dating from the 1960s to 2008, recollections of various local people, and historical sources all conclusively demonstrate that this is a multi-component site with cultural materials representing occupations related to the south Texas Archaic, Late Prehistoric, historic, and modern periods. Summer 2009 fieldwork at the Davis Area, the southeast section of 41NU54 produced unexpected results when compared to previous work at the site. Survey and testing provided inconclusive evidence for Late Prehistoric and historic habitation due to a distinct lack of ceramics and the recovery of only one Late Prehistoric diagnostic, a Perdiz point. However, the large amount of lithic debitage recovered during the season indicates that this section of the site probably functioned as an area to process lithic materials during prehistoric occupations. Little else can be assumed until further testing is conducted. Description: A project submitted to the Department of Anthropology and the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3859 Files in this item: 1
Perez-Elmore Project.pdf (4.171Mb) -
Burrow-Branine, Jonathan (Wichita State University, August , 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: This thesis seeks to analyze Holy Spirit possession in Pentecostal communities through case studies in Jamaica, Ghana and Papua New Guinea. This study will contribute to the comparative concerns of the growing subfield of the anthropology of Christianity as well as address the lack of in-depth studies of Pentecostal rituals in the anthropological study of Pentecostalism. It is argued that the traditional anthropological study of spirit possession, while showing the similarity of possession phenomena among institutional and traditional religions, is somewhat limited by privileging either explanatory or interpretive approaches and by its traditional focus on non-Christian, small-scale spirit cults. In order to organize Holy Spirit possession for cross-cultural comparison, this thesis will review and suggest the usefulness of Emma Cohen’s typology of executive and pathogenic forms of possession. Finally, building on a theoretical orientation of skilled learning as well as Catherine Bell’s notion of ritualization, it will be argued that through the practice of Holy Spirit possession the Pentecostal’s life-world is continuously being reworked and defined. In the study of Pentecostalism and Pentecostals, anthropologists need to take this practice seriously, not only in specific instances of possession, but also what this might mean for Pentecostal conceptions of personhood that informs belief and behavior. Description: Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Anthropology. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/3471 Files in this item: 1
t10055_Burrow-Branine.pdf (446.4Kb) -
Mendoza, Ingrid Renee (Wichita State University, May , 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The Buried City complex and 41OC28 and 41OC29 are archaeological sites in Ochiltree County, Texas known since the early 1900s. The architecture to this area is unique in that it incorporates large caliche boulders as part of its foundation unlike those structures found at Antelope Creek proper that use vertical limestone slabs. The examination of current taxonomy will leave the Buried City on its own as a complex or place it with the Antelope Creek phase. Conducting a regional comparison of architecture in areas such as the Oklahoma Panhandle, western Oklahoma, and southeastern Texas Panhandle will provide this information. The purpose of this project is to examine the taxonomy, the regional architecture and the architectural layout of 41OC28 and 41OC29, including interpretation of features, and depth of test units. By utilizing ArcGIS, it is plausible to place Buried City in its appropriate taxonomic classification. Description: A project submitted to the Department of Anthropology of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/2490 Files in this item: 1
Ingrid_Mendoza_project.pdf (10.08Mb) -
Scriven, Jennifer L. (December , 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: At present, there are several books written on the Asmat of New Guinea, as well as many artifactual collections throughout the world, both large and small. However, this information is scattered, poorly presented, and proves to be an impediment to research. Additionally, the cultural and art museums which currently house Asmat objects have not utilized emerging technology to reach a large audience, either for research or general educational purposes. Therefore, to address these problems I have gathered all relevant data into one source that is as definitive as possible, and that can be easily accessed both by the curious as well as potential ethnographers, researchers and travelers. To this end, I have created a website for the purpose of presenting the Downing and Bakwin Asmat collections to the lay public, as well as providing a research hub for anthropologists and others interested in the Asmat. This website contains a comprehensive bibliography, photographs of artifacts in the Holmes Museum collection, relevant data on each piece, links to other collections and websites of interest and/or research. It includes cultural information on the Asmat including, but not limited to, their cosmology, myths, rituals and the making of the pieces in the Collection. The website will eventually also provide audio-visual recordings from various ethnographic field trips to New Guinea since initial contact by the Wichita State University Department of Anthropology beginning in 2001. The Lowell D. Holmes Museum Asmat web page is located at: http://holmes.anthropology.museum/asmat/ Description: A project submitted to the Department of Anthropology of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10057/1845 Files in this item: 1
scriven2008.pdf (2.568Mb)