Social and Cultural Anthropology subject report · November 2011

November 2011 extended essay reports Page 1 © International Baccalaureate Organization 2012 Social and Cultural Anthropology This is a supplementary report following the November 2011 session and should be read in conjunction with the full May 2009 subject report and any subsequent reports. Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0 – 7 8 - 15 16 - 22 23 – 28 29 – 36 The range and suitability of the work submitted Continuing the positive tendency of recent sessions, a larger number of the essays submitted were suitable for Social and Cultural Anthrop ology. More candidates were successful in framing their arguments by referring to anthropological concepts, readings or sources and applying appropriate methodologies. It is refreshing to find an increasing proportion of essays that address research questi ons that are suitable for the subject. Framing a precise research question which lends itself to investigation in the registered subject is of paramount importance. This positive tendency can be interpreted as probably showing that schools -or schools ‟ coordinators- are noting past advice from chief examiners, about discouraging candidates who are not enrolled in Social and Cultural Anthropology as a Diploma subject to write essays in the subject. The most successful candidates presented well informed topi cs solidly grounded in anthropological theory. Some examples of successful essays range from a diachronic approach focused on the analysis of the conflicting views of the state and first nations in Argentine history; an examination of the Orientalist disco urse about gender through the case of the Muslim veil; or an ethnographic account of a process of conversion to a religious movement, within a symbolic approach. Timely issues were explored, such as ethnographically grounded investigations on plastic surge ry, or more „classic‟ and equally valid, such as a study on Shamanism. These essays were successful not because they simply poured ethnographic content into established theoretical moulds, but because they showed initiative in demonstrating how topics of i nterest to candidates might be approached