As stated in the MCC Syllabus, the goal of this literature review is to provide a descriptive
summary of the research on a topic of your choosing. Its purpose is to inform the reader (in this
case, me) of the research by comparing, contrasting, and connecting the findings.
First, you will need to choose a topic from any one subfield of anthropology: biological,
archaeology, cultural, or linguistic. For inspiration, feel free to use your textbook and/or the
resources within our Modules. Is there a concept or theme presented that you would like to
explore in more detail, for example? You will also find a list of topic ideas in Canvas. Ultimately,
I would encourage you to choose a topic that interests you! (Important: You will also need to
choose a topic that has already been previously studied.)
Once you have chosen your topic, your goal is to do the following:
1) Locate three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources via the MCC library catalog (books) and/or
the MCC subscription databases (journal articles). Use the following Anthropology Research
Guide to find your sources: http://libguides.mchenry.edu/ant. (Important: Only contemporary
sources, from 2014 or later, will be accepted.)
2) Organize and introduce your three sources. First, define the topic of your study and clearly
state your inquiry question. (Example: How does global climate change affect communities at the
local level?) Then, briefly explain your reason or perspective for reviewing the literature on this
topic. (Consider the significance of the research, for example.)
3) Describe and summarize the main points from each of your three sources. Here, you will need
to focus on the following: 1) Statement of purpose; 2) research and methodology; and results.
4) Connect the findings from your sources by comparing and contrasting what you have learned.
Also identify the information that you found particularly important to know (i.e., the information
that answered your inquiry question).
5) Do not forget to use internal citations throughout your review. These are not only necessary,
but will help you to keep your information organized and clear. You must also include a
References page. Please use APA citation style when completing this list.
The final result should be three to four pages in length, double-spaced
Literature Review Topic Ideas
Religious beliefs or practices of a non-Western society
Marriage/family in a particular group or comparison between two or three groups
Role of women and gender specific roles in a given society
Ethnocentrism and some tips on how to minimize
Similarities/differences between South Korean and American hip hop
Non-conformist microcultures (e.g., Star Trek fans, porn stars, the punk rock scene)
Rituals and magical practices demonstrated by athletes
The concept of “race” as a cultural construct, not based in biology
The treatment/view of immigrants in the US, including the shift in immigration policy
Barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals
Cultural hybridization of US companies (e.g., McDonald’s) in different countries
Prominent medical anthropologist/s and the impact of their research
Bride kidnappings in a specific region and current practices
History of a particular style of martial arts and its spread to Western countries
Global climate change and its consequences for a particular group/region
Anthropology’s former role in the military and discussion of AAA ethical guidelines
