Anthropology Commons^™

The Kindle Ecosystem Of Overconsumption: The Digital Flâneuse Roaming Booktok E-Spaces, Valeria Baltodano

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

The development of a community and culture around reading on the social media platform has afforded women new avenues for empowerment through their earning and spending power. A tool wielded often in this mobile space, Amazon’s Kindle device has reached a new height of popularity thanks to the women in the bookish community of TikTok. This paper employs Anne Friedberg’s concept of the flâneuse in relation to the limitation of women’s empowerment through the commodification and aestheticization of reading on TikTok. It demonstrates how the Kindle has become the locus for a culture of overconsumption through which these women exercise …

Traversing Spaces: Virtual, Mediated, Entertaining, Commercial, And Geographic, Nikhilesh Dholakia, Deniz Atik, Delphine Godefroit-Winkel

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Beyond Water Surface Profiles: A New Iterative Methodology For 2d Model Calibration In Rivers Using Velocity Data From Multiple Cross-Sections, Fabian Rivera-Trejo, Gabriel Soto-Cortes, Kory M. Konsoer, Eddy J. Langendoen, Gaston Priego-Hernandez

Faculty Publications

Observed longitudinal water-surface profiles are commonly used to calibrate river hydrodynamic models, relying on assumptions of lateral uniformity in water surface elevation and velocity distribution. While suitable for 1D models, this approach has limitations in regard to 2D model calibration. When 2D flow measurements are available, a more robust quantitative evaluation is necessary to assess model accuracy. This study introduces a novel methodology to improve 2D model calibration and evaluate performance. High-resolution bathymetric and hydrodynamic data collected with a multibeam echosounder (MBES) and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) were aligned to compare observed and simulated flow velocities at matching spatial …

Earliest Ancient Maya Salt Production In Southern Belize: Excavations At Jay-Yi Nah, Heather Mckillop, E. Cory Sills

Faculty Publications

Salt works along the Yucatan coasts of Mexico and Belize provide a record of salt production for inland trade during the height of Late Classic Maya civilisation (AD 550-800). At the Paynes Creek Salt Works in Belize, production focused on the creation of salt cakes by boiling brine in pots supported over fires in dedicated salt kitchens. Underwater excavations at the Early Classic (AD 250-550) site of Jay-yi Nah now indicate there was a longer and evolving tradition of salt making in the area, one that initially employed large, incurved bowls to meet local or down-the-line trade needs before inland …

Source To Sink In Precolonial Jamaica: Tracing Geochemistry And Mineralogy From The Rocks To The Pots In Understanding White Marl Pottery Production And Exchange, Peter E. Siegel, Simon F. Mitchell, Jeffrey R. Ferguson, Vanessa Glaser, Alan R. Hastie, Ulrich Schwarz Schampera, Zachary J.M. Beier, Simon Goldmann, Stephan Kaufhold, Dennis Kraemer, Selvenious A. Walters, Ann Marie T.S. Howard-Brown, Matthew L. Gorring, Sherene A. James-Williamson, Gregory A. Pope, Kristian Ufer

Department of Anthropology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

White Marl is the largest, most intensively inhabited late-precolonial site documented to date for Jamaica. Its size and structural organization suggests that it functioned as a major sociopolitical/economic hub among the increasingly complex chiefdoms in the Greater Antilles. The White Marl artifact assemblage is dominated by massive quantities of ceramics. To address the origin(s) of materials from which White Marl pottery was produced, geochemical and petrographic analyses were conducted on samples of ceramics and nearby sediments. Geochemical and petrographic data were used to constrain the provenance of the pottery using a source-to-sink model. We show that the sediments in the …

A Litany For Blessed Diversity, Emma De Ramón Acevedo, Marco Enríquez, Jordi Padilla-Delgado, Ammel Sharon

Popular Media

No abstract provided.

Characterizing The Nutrition-Gut Microbiome-Host Physiology Axis To Examine Flexibility In A Fruit-Specialist Primate, Nina Beeby

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Nutrition and, increasingly, microbiota are recognized in shaping all aspects of animal behavioral ecology and physiology. Since diet and nutrition shape not only animal physiology but also gut microbiota, and these microbiota serve as suppliers of and competitors to host nutrition, this raises questions of how these complex nutritional and microbial environments synergistically affect animal physiology. Examining this nutrition-gut microbiome-host physiology axis has immense potential to unveil how these intricate relationships contribute to animals’ responses to environmental change at multiple scales. Most of what we know about primate responses to environmental change is based upon studies examining one or few …

A Benjaminian Rumination Of Grasses And Tomatoes In Contemporary Anatolian Film, Ceren Izci

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis interprets the intersection of history, ecology, and politics through two contemporary Anatolian films: Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s About Dry Grasses and Murat Fıratoğlu’s One of These Days When Hemme Dies. We focus on the films’ portrayal of social relations and relationships to other living beings through interpreting the temporal layers and historical tensions present in the plots of the films. We introduce the paper by pondering over the question of whether these films are political. Drawing on Walter Benjamin’s concepts of “first nature” and “second nature”, the first chapter introduces the philosophical framework for understanding the connection between …

Pass It Along: Learning About Health Inequities Through Project-Based Learning And A Student-Developed Workshop, Marcy S. Ekanayake-Weber, Deanna Cunha, Kristi L. Fung, Sydney Macgregor, Nicole Ribeiro, Nicholas Smith

International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

People in marginalized communities experience reduced quality of healthcare due to complex interactions between implicit bias, stereotypes, and structural inequities, but future healthcare providers remain unprepared to confront these problems. To address the issue of health inequities in health sciences education, a project-based learning seminar for undergraduates called “Biology of Inequity” was developed and offered by the Department of Anthropology at [redacted] University in Spring semester 2022. Following the project-based learning (PBL) framework, the course was extremely interactive, culminating in a project where students were asked to “materially improve health inequalities out in the real world.” The students responded by …

January 30, 2025 Nagpra And Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Minutes, Bryan Morey

University NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee

Minutes from the January 30, 2025 meeting of Western Kentucky University's NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee. The meeting was conducted via Zoom.

Ame's Rebranding Strategy To Build Brand Identity And Enhance Stronger Competitiveness, Michelle Adelia Sentosa, Aniendya Christianna

International Review of Humanities Studies

This research analyses AME's rebranding process to build a strong brand identity and increase competitiveness in the fashion industry. Using a descriptive qualitative method, data was collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies. The results showed that AME's rebranding involved visual design changes as well as adjustments to the brand's vision and mission. The new illustration and packaging elements successfully attracted consumers' attention and created a positive experience, which resulted in increased sales and positive responses from consumers. The findings provide valuable insights into rebranding strategies in the fashion industry and their implications for brand identity and business performance, …

Impact Analysis Of China's Electric Vehicle Distribution On Cultural Identity Jakarta Society, Suci Kuswardani, Ike Iswary Lawanda

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study examines the impact of China's electric vehicle distribution on the cultural identity of Jakartans. With increasing air pollution and congestion in the capital city, electric vehicles have emerged as a sustainable transportation solution. This study uses a qualitative approach with data collection through interviews with 5 sources of information, namely Mr. Susanto, Mr. Robert, Mrs. Astrid, Mrs. Ratna and Mrs. Jeane. This was done to understand the adoption of electric vehicles affecting social values, cultural interactions, and community mobility patterns. The results of the study show that electric vehicles are not only an alternative transportation, but also a …

Public Baths & Gender Reconstruction In The Mangkunegaran Region Of Solo, Fiera Saffana, Irmawati Marwoto

International Review of Humanities Studies

The division of gender roles in space is already evident from the layout of traditional Javanese buildings, which reflects a patriarchal culture where men are at a higher level than women. These gender boundaries and norms are also reflected in the spatial form of public bath in Solo. This research uses the archaeological method by Deetz which consists of data collection, data processing, and data interpretation. Explaining by presenting facts based on data obtained in the field, then data processing is carried out by involving analysis of the field data that has been collected. The last stage is the interpretation …

The Influence Of Meme Culture On The Perception Of Japanese Music: A Survey Of Dolphin In Town-Kingo Hamada, Salsabila Alfajri, Bambang Wibawarta

International Review of Humanities Studies

The research aims to explore the influence of meme culture on the perception of Japanese music in the digital era, specifically analyzing the impact of meme culture on the song "Dolphin in Town" by Kingo Hamada. This study utilized quantitative methods, with surveys as the main technique for data collection. The results showed that meme culture plays an important role in introducing songs and artists that may not have previously received attention. The study also highlights the diverse impacts of meme culture on the perception of Japanese music, including its influence on popularizing, accepting, and interpreting music in various ways. …

Cultural Discount: Breakthrough Point Of China's Tv Drama Exports To Southeast Asia, Lingxing Li

International Review of Humanities Studies

Driven by China's "Going Global" strategy, the international influence of Chinese TV series continues to grow. As a key vehicle of China's cultural soft power, these TV series have significantly bolstered China's global cultural presence, particularly in Southeast Asia, by showcasing China's rich history and contemporary societal changes. Despite certain geographical and cultural similarities between China and Southeast Asia, cultural differences still present challenges to the dissemination of Chinese TV dramas, particularly in areas such as language, values, and religious beliefs. This paper not only analyzes effective strategies for mitigating "cultural discounts" but also challenges the traditional one-dimensional view of …

Understanding The Transmission Of Deepavali Culture In Malaysia From The Perspective Of The "Circuit Of Culture ", Su Zihua, Mochamad Aviandy

International Review of Humanities Studies

As an important traditional festival in India, Deepavali carries profound cultural and religious connotations and has spread widely across Southeast Asia. Malaysia has become a typical example for articleing the transmisi of Deepavali due to its large Indian population and diverse cultural circulation. This article adopts a qualitative research method, gathering data and literature from various platforms and deeply analyzing three aspects of Deepavali in Malaysia: representation and identity, production and consumption, and regulation.The article finds that its cultural symbols construct Indian identity, and the multicultural integration of elements promotes the identification of shared values. Various activities and advertisements during …

The Systematics Of Online Debt Collection Speech In Indonesian, Filia Filia Dr., Muhammad Rifqi Herjoko

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study examines the discourse systematics used in the online loan collection speeches in the Indonesian language. Online loans are one of the financial services that are widely used by the people nowadays. However, the efforts to collect these loans have raised issues within the community. This study aims to elaborate on the speech acts and systematics forming the discourse of online loan collection. This study is using 50 screenshots of online loan collection messages on Instagram accounts as the data source. Research data is in the form of speeches used by the creditors to collect debt from the debtors. …

Complexities Behind The Javanese Shrounds: Unraveling Textile Symbolism For The Dead Through Mikhail Bakhtin’S Heteroglossia, Asha Kun Nayla Faizin, Ganang Dwi Kartika

International Review of Humanities Studies

The shroud, a textile used to wrap and accompany humans in death, is far from a simple object. Within Islamic traditions, the white cloth applied to the deceased's body takes on various changes, modifications, and deeper meanings when individuals contextualize their own beliefs and experiences through it. This study focuses on the shroud's role in Islamic death rituals in Java, revealing a multiplicity of meanings as theorized by Mikhail Bakhtin's concept of heteroglossia. By employing a pragmatic semiotic approach, this research interprets and analyses the symbols that emerge from the contextualization of these textiles within Javanese death rituals. The study’s …

Towards Resolution: Comparative Lessons For Advancing Peace And Justice In Papua, Tagor Hutapea, Alexander Evan

International Review of Humanities Studies

The conflict in Papua represents a complex interplay of identity, sovereignty, and historical grievances, shaped by structural violence and socio-political exclusion. This study explores strategies for advancing peace-building and justice in Papua, drawing on Johan Galtung’s theory of peace and conflict and comparative lessons from the Aceh conflict in Indonesia and the Irish Republican Army’s (IRA) struggle in South Ireland. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing root causes such as historical injustices, economic inequality, and cultural exclusion. Inclusive governance and dialogues that respect ethnic diversity and local identities are critical to creating sustainable solutions. Case studies reveal that effective …

Social Media Optimization Of Ramampa Resto & Bar As A Visual Strategy, Monique Pricilya Oei, Aniendya Christianna

International Review of Humanities Studies

In the digital era, social media has become an important marketing tool for businesses, including the culinary industry. This study examines the use of motion graphics to develop the social media presence of Rarampa Resto and Bar, a restaurant serving Manado cuisine and healthy MSG-free food, located in South Jakarta. Although the restaurant has a loyal customer base, particularly from the 40-60 age group, its social media content fails to attract younger audiences, especially millennials, who seek unique and authentic culinary experiences. This study suggests that Rarampa's social media content, which mainly focuses on event photography and the restaurant's ambiance, …

The Construction Of The Image Of The “Ideal Wife” In Intercultural Marriages: A Case Study On The Youtube Video “Younger Singapore Men Looking For Vietnam Brides, Li Jie

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study explores the process of constructing the image of the “ideal wife” in intercultural marriages, using the video Younger Singapore Men Looking for Vietnam Brides as a case study. It analyzes the economic and cultural motivations of Singaporean men in choosing Vietnamese wives. By applying Judith Butler’s theory of gender performativity and Henri Tajfel’s social identity theory, the study examines how Vietnamese brides are symbolized as the “ideal partner” and how this phenomenon reflects modern gender role conflicts and identity reconstruction. Through an analysis of interviews in the video and relevant comments, the research reveals the dynamic interaction between …

Exploring The Ontological Basis Of Law: Joseph Raz's Views On Normativity Within The Framework Of Legal Realism, Artha Debora Ads Silalahi, Rizal Mustansyir, Sindung Tjahyadi

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study explores the moral ontology of law within the framework of Legal Realism, contextualizing law as both a social institution and an institution of justice. Drawing on Joseph Raz's perspectives on practical reason, normativity, and the foundations of norms, the analysis examines how law, as a practical guide, inherently carries moral dimensions in regulating social interactions and pursuing justice. Legal Realism frames law as a dynamic product of human interaction within a social context, while Raz's philosophical insights illuminate the interplay between practical reasoning, normativity, and legal structures. By focusing on the moral underpinnings of legal norms, this paper …

The Intricate Relationship Between Parents, Teachers And Media In Their Context Of Nation-Building, Emmanuel Olumuji

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study examines the intricate relationship between parents, teachers, and media in the context of nation-building, emphasizing their collective role in shaping societal values and fostering holistic development. Drawing insights from scholarly literature and empirical studies, the study considers the influence of parents, teachers, and media on child development, moral education, and civic engagement. The study underscores the pivotal role of educators in instilling moral values, critical thinking skills, and civic responsibility among students, thereby contributing significantly to the development of a nation's human capital. Moreover, the study highlights the media's potential as a catalyst for social change, advocating for …

China's Cultural Diplomacy And Its Engagement With The Peranakan Community In Malacca, Kotchaphop Kornphetcharat, Lee Yuen Thien

International Review of Humanities Studies

China's cultural diplomacy utilizes a range of strategies, including cultural exchange programs, media outreach, and people-to-people interactions, to further its national interests and enhance its international image. The primary aims are to foster a positive perception of China, build mutual understanding and trust with other nations, and expand China's cultural and economic influence. The overseas Chinese community in Southeast Asia has been recognized as a crucial conduit for advancing Chinese cultural policy globally. Recently, the Chinese government has conducted official visits to the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum in Malacca, Malaysia, exemplifying its efforts to engage with the local community. …

Plurality Of Countable Nouns In Chinese And Indonesian: Morphological And Syntactic Perspectives With Pedagogical Implications, Hatmi Idris

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study investigates the plural meaning and expression of countable nouns in Chinese and Indonesian from morphological and syntactic perspectives and explores implications for language pedagogy. Although both languages encode plurality, they employ distinct mechanisms, which may pose challenges for Indonesian learners of Chinese. Using a qualitative, literature-based approach, data were drawn from scholarly studies, Chinese teaching materials, and reference sources such as dictionaries. Analysis focused on morphological markers, including affixation and reduplication, as well as syntactic structures, such as numeral–classifier phrases and quantifiers constructions. The findings show that Chinese expresses plurality through the suffix –men, classifier-based syntactic patterns, …

Cerrando La Brecha: Difusión Virtual De La Cultura Maya Para La Conciencia Pública Y La Preservación, Ana María Vera Arias, Dr. Lilia Lucia Lizama Aranda, Brenda Marin, José Montesino

Journal of Maya Heritage

En este artículo se aborda el origen, los métodos y el resultado del ciclo de conferencias de divulgación virtual organizado por el Centro del Patrimonio Maya en colaboración con Arqueólogos sin Fronteras del Mundo Maya, esto con el objetivo de compartir conocimientos y generar conciencia sobre diversas facetas de la cultura maya. La pregunta central gira en torno a cómo se pueden comunicar efectivamente las complejidades y la rica herencia de la cultura maya a una audiencia no especializada. Como resultado, encontró que las conferencias de divulgación virtual fueron un método adecuado para ampliar el interés sobre la cultura maya …

An Enigmatic Manteño Burial From Buen Suceso, Ecuador, Ad 771–953, Sara L. Juengst, Sarah M. Rowe, Guy S. Duke, Mara Stumpf, Mozelle Bowers, Y. Zindy Cruz

Anthropology Faculty Publications

Burial 10 is a unique Manteño (AD 650–1532) burial from Buen Suceso, Ecuador, dating between AD 771 and 953. This burial included the remains of a young female, pregnant at the time of death and buried with an elaborate array of goods, including anachronistic spondylus ornaments, green stones, and shell eye coverings. Perimortem trauma, including a cranial fracture and cutmarks on hand bones, perimortem removal of the hands and left leg, and other body manipulation suggest she was sacrificed, a rare event for coastal Ecuadorian peoples.

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El Entierro 10 se ubica en el sitio Buen Suceso, Ecuador que pertenece …

Exploring The Pathogen Profiles Of Ancient Feces, Drew Capone, David Holcomb, Amanda Lai, Karl Reinhard, Joe Brown

Karl Reinhard Publications

Analysis of ancient desiccated feces – termed paleofeces or coprolites – can unlock insights into the lives of ancient people. We collected desiccated feces from caves in the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico (725-920 CE). First, we extracted DNA with methods previously optimized for paleofeces. Then, we applied highly sensitive modern molecular tools (i.e., PCR pre-amplification followed by multi-parallel qPCR) to assess the presence of 30 enteric pathogens. We detected ≥1 pathogen associated gene in each of the ten samples and a mean of 3.9 pathogens per sample. The targets detected included Blastocystis spp. (n=7), atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (n=7), …

Accelerated Human-Induced Extinction Crisis In The World's Freshwater Mammals, Erik Joaquín Torres-Romero, Jason T. Fisher, Vincent Nijman, Fengzhi He, Timothy M. Eppley

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Human activities have significantly impacted natural habitats and wildlife worldwide, particularly emphasizing repercussions for freshwater habitats and associated species. These negative impacts on freshwater fish are well known, but for mammal species that regularly use and dependend on freshwater systems, there is an incomplete understanding. Here, we assessed the status of freshwater and semi-aquatic mammal species inhabiting and dependent on freshwater ecosystems (hereafter referred to as freshwater mammals) and evaluated the impact of human activities on species richness both globally and by biogeographical regions. We used structural equation modeling and simultaneous autoregressive models to assess the direct and indirect effects …

Grieving & Swiping: Online Dating As Consumers' Post-Breakup Resolution, Zeynep Ozdamar Ertekin, Salih Kural, İrem Taştan

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This study explores the underlying motivations of consumers’ usage of online dating applications after the breakup of romantic relationships. The experiences of young-adult consumers who went through post-breakup grief are investigated through in-depth interviews. Findings resulted in twelve categories of motivations that participating consumers had regarding their usage of dating apps, in relation to managing the grief after breakup. Motivations are grouped under the categories of coping, updating, and desiring. Moreover, findings also demonstrated diverging pathways in using dating apps for emotional resolution. The study contributes to our understanding of dating app usage by highlighting important insights from consumers who …