simple words

Quiz 4

Spring 2014

Name: ___________________________ Pattern Type: Comparison and contrast pattern

1. Please give the correct citation for the article

Howson, A. (2009). Cultural Relativism. EBSCO Research Starters. Retrieved from: http://www.ebscohost.com/uploads/imported/thisTopic-dbTopic-1247.pdf

2. Does your author based his article on

A. First Hand information

B. Second hand information

Next, give an explanation or example that supports your choice

Answer:

The author based the article on second hand information. Howson (2009) has utilized various studies and researches in the past to help her emphasize her points when comparing various concepts. In her discussion she supported her points with various studies and cited them to make her own statement valid and believable. For instance, she cited Marshall et al., (1994) when she defined the scope of the topic she is discussing in the article. She also cited various authors in making a comparison between objectivity and rationality; as well as in relating the topic to culture and sociology.

3. Is the main idea of your article directly stated or implied? Et give a brief summary of the article and why it fits the pattern (one well developed paragraph).

Answer

The main idea in the article is directly stated. Starting from the title of the article, then to the introduction of the article, up to the body paragraphs and conclusion, the author has made it a point to directly state what the article is all about perhaps due to the complexity of the topic she has chosen.

Brief Summary

In the selected article, Howson (2009) discussed what cultural relativism is all about and its possible implications to culture and society. Howson, (2009) argued that cultural relativism is helpful in understanding the society and in ensuring that cultures are seen as a human positioning and that should be universally accepted and not sanctioned. The author has vividly described the cultural relativism as a growing concept that hugely impacts various aspects of how man fits into his society. She has also described how the concept of cultural relativism relates to feminism, ethnocentrism, and conservatism. Cultural relativism will provide a critical tool for understanding and rationalizing the context of feminism. Ethnocentrism on the other hand, with all its atrocities can also be removed through applying the concept according to Howson (2009). The selected article fits the type of pattern needed for this quiz because it provides a comparison and contrast of what cultural relativism is all about—what it is and what it is not. It also provided contrasting viewpoints of various groups to show how complicated the issue is and how its implications are felt in various societal groups.