anthropology

Anthropology 101 RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES Spring 2015 1

GROUP #4

TOPIC: Political Leadership in Zimbabwe

The nation-state of Zimbabwe (formerly the British colony of Rhodesia) was given its

independence by the British colonial authority in 1980. The first duly elected holder of the office

of President of Zimbabwe was Robert Mugabe, a rebel leader who was a hero in the insurrection

movement against the British. 35 years later, 90-year-old Robert Mugabe is still President, albeit

now increasingly unpopular. He’s been in the news recently for being elected president of the

African Union, and for falling from the podium after giving a speech.

In recent years, the Parliament created the new office of Prime Minister and divided the

responsibilities of governing between the two offices. However, the elected first Prime Minister of

Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai (SHAHNG-ir-eye), has fought an uphill battle in getting the

Mugabe Administration to actually share political powers as prescribed in the amended

Constitution.

There are several factors behind the increasing unpopularity of Mugabe—some of the more

notable ones follow. The people of Zimbabwe have endured chronic food shortages for some

years—after years of having been the ‘breadbasket’ of southern Africa. The inflation rate from

2008 to 2009 was 5.1%; the inflation rate from 2007 to 2008 was 14.9 Billion% (apparently

correct)—one has to be extremely wealthy or politically connected to acquire even a single loaf of

bread. Also in recent years, the unemployment rate ran around 90%. There was, therefore, a

massive migration of laborers in progress from Zimbabwe, most of them are going to neighboring

South Africa, which served to drastically drive down wages for unskilled labor in that nation.

International aid agencies of all kinds are attempting to avert starvation for large numbers of

people.

THE ASSIGNMENT: Describe the ‘politics’ of the Mugabe administration throughout its life. How is

this tied to the agriculture policies that have been widely blamed for causing that crash in

agricultural production? Then discuss the economic policies in general and the proposed

corporate policies in particular. From an anthropological perspective, explain why a majority

of the people of Zimbabwe is in such dire straits, how and why leaders like Mugabe are able to

remain in power, and why Zimbabwe may be teetering on becoming a “failed state”. An

anthropological explanation will take into account more than the purely economics-based

explanations that you’ll encounter in great numbers in the news and informational sources. You’ll

find it helpful to take cues from the lectures, readings, and videos.

Anthropological perspective:

1. Reference (in your research and in your Bibliography) the readings from Durrenberger and Erem, both

the ones that were assigned and also those that were not: what do these anthropologists focus on as

they address the issues/problems featured in their respective articles?

2. Reference the videos, and the in-class commentaries and (when available) viewing guides: actively

look for points that could apply to your topic.

3. Actively reference the in-class Power Points: some portion may directly apply to your topic, others could

be indirectly applied.

4. Feel free to also reference ‘outside’ anthropological sources. The information on a good way to do that

is given below.

Anthropology 101 RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES Spring 2015 2

Requirements

• REQUIRED LENGTH: 20 minutes.

(You can’t receive a grade of “A” or “B” if the presentation is too short or too lengthy: points

will be deducted for each minute under 17 minutes or over 23 minutes.)

There probably won’t be enough time for everyone in the group to present, and there’s no

requirement that every member has to present.

• A complete printed Bibliography is required—turn in to the instructor at the time of your presentation.

• Number each entry into the Bibliography (points off for non-compliance).

• List alphabetically.

• There is no requirement as to a particular style.

• Your presentation must include a section giving interpretation/analysis from an anthropological

perspective of the facts you present.

The Prescribed (Required) Structure for the presentation:

You must organize your presentation using these topical sections:

I. Geography: lead off with a map showing the continent and relevant place(s) (relative

weighting: 5%).

II. The Pre-Colonial Era. (identify “traditional” societies and ways of life) (20%).

III. The Colonial Era. (brief chronology of major events, colonial powers involved, their motivation)

(20%).

IV. Independence and After. (chronology, politics, events) (20%).

V. An Anthropological Perspective on why current events are as they are (25%).

• (HINT: pre-colonial, ‘traditional’ enmities [look it up]) that may still influence events.

• (HINTS: the Pre-colonial and Colonial eras; the structure of the Modern World System and the global

economy).

VI. [BIBLIOGRAPHY—quality (accorded greater weight) + quantity: 10%]

The specific grading method: Each of the sections [+ Bibliography] given above will be graded and weighted

as per above.

Inside each of these sections [+ Bibliography], I’ll click on ratings of 56%, 66%, 76%, 86%, 94%, 100%,

reflecting my judgment of how well you’ve covered that section subtopic (or, “0” if not addressed).

GRADING CRITERIA:

Your grade will be based on the following aspects:

• Length (meeting the prescribed minimum and maximum for length).

• Apparent quality (secondarily, quantity) of research, as reflected in your bibliography and in your

group’s grasp of the data.

Quality of your sources. Given that this is a university-level assignment, at least semi-scholarly, more

respected, and more verifiable sources are required (again, the Ask.com ´s of the world don’t count).

Examples of the kinds of sources you’ll want to use are given below.

• Apparent amount/degree of effort you exerted toward accumulating and assembling data, and toward

trying to ‘read’ the data as an anthropologist might. [There is a comparative element to this aspect—

groups doing a better job will justifiably get a higher assessment).

You’ll want to facilitate your receiving the highest grade possible by structuring your presentation into

titled sections—that follow the prescribed outline given above. First of all, this is a more

scholarly way of presenting material (!). But more importantly to you, these will be the criteria that I’ll

be referencing to award relative scores for each prescribed section.