 |
 |
|
 |
||
 |
||
|
Research topics in:
|
||
|
Anthropology |
|
Aron, Elaine, “Changes in Child Rearing Practices and Its Impact on Adolescent Mothers in Cahuita, Costa Rica.” Adv. Ivelina Romagosa Jiménez. Grinnell. 2000. 36pp. This paper discusses change in child rearing methods in Cahuita, Costa Rica, its effect on the recent increase in adolescent mothers in the community, and local efforts to aid and empower them. Interviews with 25 mothers of various ages and extensive participant observation indicate that significant changes in disciplinary techniques and household rules are partially responsible for the abundance of young, single mothers today. The government's response to the needs of adolescent mothers, the Construyendo Oportunidades program, as well as that of a local women's association, the Dorcas, are doing an admirable job of reaching out to these young women. Bartow, Felecia, "Adolescents in Talamanca: Future Realities." Adv. Paula Palmer. Macalester. 1992. 63pp. The following study examines the attitudes of a group of secondary students at the Colegio Técnico Agropecuario in Bribri, Talamanca regarding the situation of their peers in the cantón of Talamanca. Talamanca extends from Port Limón Southeast to the Panama border and from the Caribbean coast inland to the Continental Divide. This paper contains a brief history of Talamanca's ethnic groups, identification of the problems specific to the adolescent population, a description of the colegio itself, some differences in generational attitudes of Talamancans and other factors that affect the teenagers of the region. The research methods used included a written general survey of 265 students, oral, in-depth interviews with 43 students, and informal observations away from the research site. The results indicate two major problems identified by students-lack of recreational activities and drug and alcohol abuse. Adult and adolescent opinions were not strikingly opposed but the students expressed a need for more communication with parents and community support to help solve problems facing their peers. The conclusions include an assessment of the situation of the Talamanca youth and student suggestions for improvements at the colegio and in their respective communities. Bergstrom, Megan, "Artisan Organizational Possibilities in the Talamanca Indigenous Reserve." Adv. Marcos Guevara. Grinnell. 1992. 70pp. This project was a qualitative study of the possibilities for a central artisan organization in the Talamanca indigenous reserve in the southeastern region of Costa Rica. As more and more outside influences enter the reserve, the culture of the indigenous people changes, including their traditional artesanry. This project was studied in an effort to develop a way of preserving indigenous artesanry through organization and marketing. Research was conducted through informal interviews and literature review and included information on existing artesanry production, perspective markets, outside and inside organizational support, and also research into a possible ceramics project. Also included is a look at the changes that have taken place in the artesanry of Talamanca in the past century. Results of the study are a compilation of all this information combined with personal suggestions and observations concerning the formation of such an organization. Buzzard, Christine E., "Tourism and Its Effect on Household-Level Consumption Patterns in the Monteverde-Santa Elena Region." Adv. Aixa Ansorena. Beloit. 2003. This project will research how consumption patterns at the household level have been affected by the strong presence of tourism in the Monteverde-Santa Elena region. Interviews will be conducted with community members of all ages and with tourists. This study adopts the theoretical perspective that consumer goods carry a certain cultural meaning that goes beyond their utilitarian character and commercial value, and can be used to look at the underlying values, norms and beliefs of a particular culture. Comas, Jordi R., "A Comparison of Two Communities at the Level of Attitudes and Community Action as They Confront a Coal Mining Concession Sponsored by RECOPE, Buena Vista and Watsi, Talamanca." Adv. Marcos Guevara Berger. Carleton. 1993. 67pp. This research project was designed and carried out from February to May to collect qualitative information on the attitudes of Buena Vista and Watsi, Talamanca, towards a coal concession sponsored by the Refinaradora Costarricense de Petroleo (RECOPE). A second goal was to learn why the attitudes in the two communities might differ, especially considering their very distinct socioeconomic and ethnohistorical differences. Buena Vista is composed of migrants from other areas who work in small farms in a mixed subsistence-market economy. Watsi is a village with a majority Bribri population with a fairly diversified, though saturated, economy. This research found that in Buena Vista the primary consideration was the possibility of improving one's individual situation through prices for land expropriation or other community benefits. Watsi was primarily concerned with environmental degradation and contamination. This manuscript discuss of how the two communities were attempting to represent their collective interests through the medium of a legally incorporated development association. Maps, a model, and informative appendices are included. Dorschel, Kurt G., "'Moving on Up' -- Patterns of Migration into the Santa Elena-Monteverde Region." Adv. Ilse Leitinger. Grinnell. 1993. 40pp. Since regional tourism began to increase substantially in 1988, the communities of Santa Elena and Monteverde have undergone extensive economic growth. With the success, the number of migrators from other parts of the country and other countries has increased. Kurt Dorschel and Yael Sivi, working as a team with local organization Monteverde 2020, investigated personal characteristics and opinions of people who have moved to the region since 1988. Together, they completed 118 interviews with newcomers to the area including Cañitas, Santa Elena, Cerro Plano, and Monteverde. As a result of the project, they estimate that over 600 people have moved to theregion in the last five years. In general, they found a population that came for work related reasons and now works with tourist businesses, local organizations, and the nature reserves in the area. The majority came from communities within 40 kilometers and had previous connections in the form of friends or family. Although many want to stay or do not know their future in the community, professionals and single people are more likely to leave the community in the coming years. In general, participation and integration of newcomers is limited by lack of time or knowledge of opportunities. This study develops these topics, presents the combined data of the two researchers, and includes the analysis done as a team. The investigators also make suggestions regarding participation and integration. |
|
Drake, Melanie, "Women's Multiple Contribution to the Community of La Cruz in the Santa Elena-Monteverde Region of Costa Rica: A Comparison between Members of La Campesinita, a Women's Canning Cooperative, and a Group of Non-members." Adv. Ilse Leitinger. Grinnell, 1991. 36pp. Women of the Santa Elena-Monteverde region contribute to their communities in many forms. This Study analyzes the factors that affect women's public contributions to the community of La Cruz located a few kilometers northwest of Santa Elena. Working in conjunction with a committee of a community organization, my two fellow researchers and I explored the research question the committee posed to us: In what ways do people participate in the public sphere? The present study focuses on fourteen women, seven members of La Campesinita, a canning cooperative in La Cruz, and seven non-members. The results of interviews with all of these women provide a summary of information in three areas, (1) general information on the women, (2) the factors affecting women's sense of adjustment to the community, and (3)the various forms of women's contribution both publicly and privately. Frederick, Jennifer, "The current status of language use in Cahuita, Costa Rica." Adv. Jeanina Umaña. Macalester. 1990. 23pp. This paper discusses research conducted during a two month period in the small tourist-oriented community of Cahuita, Costa Rica. This is a community that uses three languages, Spanish, English, and Creole, defining Creole as the Jamaican English brought from Jamaica. The results indicate that the usage of Creole has declined. Haber, Laurin, "Medicinal Plants in Costa Rica: Rural and Urban Dimensions of Acquisition, Commercialization, and Current Usage." Advs. Connie and Jim Weil. Macalester. 1994. pp. The use of medicinal plants in Costa Rica was studied in Garza, a rural community in Guanacaste province, and San José, the national capital, for a twelve-week period between March and May, 1994. Garza, located on the northwestern coast, exemplifies many small communities in Costa Rica where the rapid development of tourism stimulates the economy, but where new foreign neighbors, developers and social tensions also appear. Traditional practices have historically faded in the influx of modernization, yet the utilization of medicinal plants continues. The results from Garza were complemented by the variety of resources in San José. The current availability of medicinal plants, diversity of informants, and successful commercialization suggests a strong perserverence. Included is a chart with 76 plants, compiled from interviews and survey findings in Garza. It includes the common name of the plant, the scientific name, the part of plant used, the method of application, and the curative properties attributed to the plant. The chart is in Spanish, so it can be utilized by informants and friends from Costa Rica. Hopper, Kate, "Adaptation and Art: The Impact of Tourism on the Ceramics and the Social Organization of Work in San Vicente, Nicoya, Guanacaste." Advs. Jim Weil and Connie Weil. Macalester. 1994. 61 pp. This study assesses the effects of tourism on the ceramic industry of San Vicente, Nicoya, Costa Rica. Tourism is a ever-growing economic sector that has increased the demand for tourist arts, items made specifically for the thriving ethnic art market. Often this new demand not only changes the styles and shapes of art forms, but also changes the social organization of work in the producing communities. I did my fieldwork in San Vicente from March 7, 1994, to May 1, 1994, in an effort to document the changes that have taken place in that community as a result of the increase in tourism in Costa Rica in the last fifteen years. The changes that have taken place in San Vicente include stylistic alterations in the pottery forms as well as social transformations in the organization of labor. The utilitarian ceramics became more decorative as the ceramicists began producing pre-Colombian replicas for the ethnic art market. To meet the higher demand for these products, the industry has adapted its organization of labor to increase production, namely through specialization of labor and the wide participation of men in the industry. Horstman, Matthew, "An Ethnographic Study of the Community of Tárcoles, Costa Rica: an overview of life in a rural town with potential for tourism." Adv. Aixa Ansorena. Grinnell. 1998. 26pp. This paper discusses the social organization, economic and social activities, problems, and possiblilities of Tárcoles, a village studied during the months of March and April. Semi-structured interviews were used to learn about the problems of the village as well as general information. The key ideas and events of the village were disclosed by the key informants. Also, participant observation was employed to gather information concerning the daily lives of the community. Through an ethnographic approach, the problems of the village were identified. In particular, the study focused on the adolescents and what they are doing to improve the village environment, and how the environment could play a greater role in the village's turistic potential. |
|
Ito, Kasumi, " 'Change or Tradition?' in Case of Black Women's Role in Cahuita." Adv. Paula Palmer. St. Olaf. 1990. 29pp. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in Black women's roles in Cahuita. The nature of life in Cahuita has drastically altered in the last two decades since the arrival of tourism. Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten Black women from three different age groups. It was found that each generation had a different attitude toward issues of development, change, and tradition. The research predicts that the traditional Black women's roles in Cahuita will continue to diminish in prominence in future generations. Kauffman, Laurie, "Interactions between tourists and white-faced monkeys (Cebus capucinus) at Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Costa Rica." Adv. Grace Wong. Grinnell. 1998. 26pp. I studied the interactions between humans and white-faced monkeys at Manuel Antonio in the months of March and April of 1998. Using the focal animal method I studied the activity pattern and movements of one troop of Cebus capucinus in order to quantify the effects of tourism on the troop. I also interviewed visitors to the park to find out their opinions of the monkeys. I found that the troop's diet is 46% food obtained from tourists and that they spend most their time foraging with resting second. These results are different from the results Litvak obtained studying the same troop in 1987. I also found that most people, when asked what they thought of the monkeys, said they were good. Many people also mentioned how tame the monkeys were. From the interviews, I also found what things stop people from feeding the monkeys and used these to suggest ways of educating tourists in order to lessen the effect tourists in general have on the wildlife they are observing. Klitzke, Heather, "The 'Human Scopes' of Panamanian Students Before, During, and After the Military Crisis of 1989." Ripon. 1990. 18pp. This study is designed to present the culture of Panama during the 1989 military conflict according to the information given by ten Panamanian students in Costa Rica. It also demonstrates the problems and solutions in the methodology of this ethnography and the personal experience of the researcher. The purpose of this study is to determine how Panamanians react to the complex relationship of the United States and Panama, and how the recent crisis has affected their view of the political situation. This paper presents the specific methodological problems of this study, a history of the relationship between the two countries, and the data obtained in the interviews with ten Panamanian students studying in Costa Rica. A final discussion includes the researcher's personal analysis of the information discussed in the study. Knobbs, Elaine, "Use and Education of Medicinal Plants in the Community of La Esperañza, Limón." Adv. Raphael Ocampo. Colorado. 1996. 62pp. Research was conducted on the use of medicinal plants in the area of La Esperañza, Limón, Costa Rica, during the months of March and April, 1996. In the central community of La Esperañza, 42 households were interviewed to analyze their overall use of traditional medicine. The historical and present background of the community was learned from these interviews. To assess the local school children's knowledge of medicinal plants, seven different primary school groups were given tours of the Agro-Ecological Garden of Medicinal Plants in La Esperañza and questioned about their knowledge of the plants in the garden. Work was conducted in this garden in order to learn the basic cultivation methods and uses of the plants in preparation for the tours, and to compile information to be utilized by the garden. Love, Jennifer, "Dila Blus Wak: A Study of an Indigenous Women's Organization." Adv. Marcos Guevara. Macalester. 1992. 45pp. This study was conducted for six weeks in the indigenous community of Coroma on the Talamanca Indigenous Reserve. The objectives were to investigate and describe the activities of an indigenous women's organization and the effects of membership in this organization on the women. The study was carried out through observation and interviews with twenty-two informants, fourteen of them members of the group. The roles and activities of women in Coroma in general were investigated as well. This information served as a context for understanding and evaluating the activities of the women's organization. The importance of such grass-roots organizations was demonstrated, as were the many ways the organization attempts to confront the problems of women in Coroma. Also discussed are the many organizational problems now facing the women's group and suggestions for possible changes. Further studies could be conducted to see what kind of changes this young organization will go through. |
|
Messer, Kent, "The Attitudes and Practices Toward Sustainable Agriculture of the Colony Puriscaleña." Adv. Marcos Guevara. Grinnell. 1993. 50 pp. I studied the culture of The Colony Puriscaleña, a community of approximately 120 immigrant farmers who live in the mountains near Batáan, Limón. While conducting a generalized investigation which included both the history and family relations within the community, I focuses specific attention on the relations between the community's agriculture and the natural environment (deforestation, use of fire, application of agro-chemicals, treatment of water resources, etc.). This study both highlights distinctive characteristics of the community and provides a holistic, theoretical model (The Agrarian Dialectic Model) which combines both ideal and material factors in explaining attitudes and behavior toward sustainable agriculture. Since this study was conducted with the perspective of "Investigación/Acción", many of my observations focus on social problems and cultural attitudes towards community organizations. Finally, I used consensus analysis (a rank-ordering exercise) to help identify the priorities of the people of the community for the future and analyzed these priorities in relationship to the other descriptions provided by the theoretical model. Olsen, Eric M., "Pensar Globalmente - Actuar Localmente /Think Globally - Act Locally." Adv. Moisés León. Grinnell. 1996. 30pp. I studied the effects of the University for Peace, an institution of the United Nations dedicated to the search for world peace, on the village of El Rodeo and the surrounding protected forest reserve which is of great biological value in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. My study was conducted during March and April, 1996. The primary focus of my investigation was to learn what changes have taken place in the community since the establishment of the University for Peace. Additionally, I studied the effects of the University´s protection of the forest in the area. Through interviews and participant observation I learned the effects that the physical changes such as the road, the jobs, and the services have had on the town. I also investigated the opinions of the community concerning their relationship with the University. With the priorities of the community in mind, I searched for ideas on ways to improve the relationship between the two entities. Quander, Fatima DeLosSantos, “A Caribbean Celebration?: How Commercial and Political Imperatives Affect the Carnival Celebration of Limón, Costa Rica.” Adv. Aixa Ansorena. Beloit. 2000. 51pp. This study is an analysis of how commercial and political imperatives affect the Carnival celebration of Limón, Costa Rica. During the months of March and April 2000, I conducted semi-structured interviews in Limón centro, with influential Carnival affiliates, in order to determine whether or not the original objectives and motifs of the celebration were still important and employed. Using the conceptual perspective that festival messages are related to present and past social circumstances, the primary objective was to focus on the organizational aspect of Limón's Carnival and to examine the commercialization and politicalization of the celebration by the Municipality of Limón. Rounds, Julia Kristen, "Expectativas y Atitudes en Educación: Colegio San José de Alajuela." Coe, 1991. 18pp. Many positive changes have occurred during these past few years in the quality of the educational system in Costa Rica. This study begins to investigate the opinions of the high school students with respect to these changes, and also their hopes for the future. This study consists of three distinct sections: the first part examines attitudes toward the high school, how the students needs are being met, and learning in general. This section includes, in addition, feelings about the school curriculum, parental participation, and motivating factors for attending school. The second part illustrates the objectives and plans of these students. Finally, this study discusses the opinions of these students toward marriage and family. This topic is an area of very little prior research. In no way is this study meant to be representative of all students; but rather one of the first investigations done with the hope of improving our understanding of these young people. Rae, Lesley, "The effect of an infant on the behavior patterns of female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedi citrinellus), Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Costa Rica." Adv. Grace Wong. Beloit. 1998. 20pp. The behavior patterns of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedi citrinellus) at Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, Costa Rica were studied, emphasizing the difference between mothers with infants and individuals without infants in the study troop. Behaviors studied were locomotion, rest, forage move, and forage stationary for all individuals; and nursing behavior and groom for mothers with infants. Data was collected from one troop, followed through the park on a daily basis during daylight hours between 2 March and 25 April 1998. Differences in frequency of behaviors between the troop and mothers with infants were analyzed on both a daily and hourly basis. Overall results for the two groups were nearly identical in all of the four shared behavior categories. However, when analyzing the data both daily and hourly with a two-way non-replicating analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, differences and trends became apparent. In the final week of the study, infants were observed to be separated from their mothers, and further observations were taken. When separated, infants spent 49.3% of their time locomoting, while mothers spent 41.5% foraging and moving. |
|
Shannon, Laura, "This is What Democracy Looks Like: Rural Costa Rican Women in an Agricultural Collective." Adv. Msc. Ivelina Romagosa, UNA. Grinnell College. 2006. The Asociacion de Mujeres Agroindustriales de San Luis de Grecia in Alajuela, with whom I spent March and April, are in transition from traditional to neoliberal discourses. The important elements of this transition become apparent in the discourses they employ within four distinct markets that provide opportunities to sell their goods. These discourses influence the women's sense of time, space, others, and themselves. Their actions within these markets demonstrate that they are negotiating the transition somewhat on their own terms. The decisions they make represent the future of Costa Rican democracy. Shields, Jamien. “The Future of Artisanal Fishing in View of Marine Resource Management, Degree of Government Participation and Cultural Change in Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.” Adv. Ivelina Romegosa. Colorado. 2000. 52pp. This research took place in two different locations: Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, both located in the southern region of the Limon Province, Costa Rica. Methodology included participant-observation, used in both the attendance of community meetings, and to discern fishing practices. In addition, interviews were realized discussing the current situation of artisanal fishermen in these communities, and future projections of fishing practices. Among other factors investigated were the present state of the marine resources in relation to the past, the participation of government organizations in the fishing practices, and the impact of tourism both on the fishing and community traditions. The future of artisanal fishing as an economic activity in this region is endangered due to both unsustainable practices, and little participation in fishing practices on parts of government institutions such as INCOPESCA and MINAE. This study describes these problems as reported by fishermen and community members, and offers possible suggestions for the sustainment of the artisanal fishing practices of these two communities. Shelton, Jennifer, "Natural Disasters in Rivas, Costa Rica: A Baseline Study of Attitudinal Vulnerability." Adv. Rocío Bolaños. Grinnell College. 1997. 21pp. The following baseline study investigates different types of attitudinal vulnerabilities towards natural disasters in the community of Rivas after the descructive flood of July, 1996. The two month anthropological investigation employs the use of a face to face administered questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with a sample of the residents of Rivas. An notable difference exists between the attitudes of younger people, especially those attending school, and older people. Also, most people do not feel that Rivas is well organized and people are under educated on the subject of natural disasters. Attitudinal vulnerabilities do exist among the residents Rivas, and basic education programs on natural disasters for the general public could reduce the level of vulnerability. Smith, Todd, "An Ethnobotanical Study of the Traditional Medicine of Boruca, Costa Rica." Grinnell, 1991. 41pp. This study focuses on the description of specific remedies found as a part of the traditional medicine of the indigenous community of Boruca, Costa Rica. It notes the role of curanderos, sukia (two types of "medicine men") and the Seguro Social, the system of socialized medicine in Costa Rica. In this case the Seguro Social means the hospital in the nearby town of Buenos Aires. The information was gathered through walks in the mountains surrounding the town looking for medicinal plants with people who were knowledgeable about traditional medicine, as well as through informal personal interviews and observation. Fourty-six distinct species of plants used medicinally were identified. Finally, it was observed that although the use of the traditional medicine of Boruca may appear to be declining because of a sense of embarrassment that some people have toward their traditions, the scarcity of certain plants and the ease of obtaining medicines in the general store of town, it may still survive due to a rising interest in traditional medicine of the town and to some problems with the Seguro Social. Sturgis, Malcolm, “Community and Efforts to Develop Tourism in San Vicente and Las Pozas, Nicoya, Guanacaste.” Adv. Ivelina Ramagosa Jiménez. Grinnell. 1999. 38pp. This paper is based on two months of ethnographic fieldwork in the small towns of San Vicente and Las Pozas, Costa Rica. The study’s aims were two: to provide a general sociocultural description of the towns and to characterize the communities’ efforts to develop tourism based economies. My results show the two as trying to alleviate their economic situations by utilizing natural and cultural resources. However, a number of sociocultural, economic, and logistical barriers to their realization of tourist projects exist. Waters, Carolyn, "Una representación artística de las interacciones sociales involucradas con la fábrica de queso en Monteverde." Adv. Aixa Ansoren. Macalester. 2003. This study focuses on the social importance of the cheese factory in Monteverde as a center of interaction among different groups of the region. The researcher will utilize ethnographic interviewing with members of the groups, the collection of maps, diagrams and historical photographs of the region and the artistic representation of the information obtained in the interviews. The final objective of the project is to produce an exhibition or booklet that presents the information obtained to the public in the area. Yamada, Roberta, "Sushi or Gallo Pinto: Bi-Culturism in Japanese-Costa Rican Families in San José, Costa Rica." Adv. Ilse Leitinger. Macalester. 1990. 29pp. This study takes a look at bi-culturalism in Japanese-Costa Rican families in San José, Costa Rica. The sample consisted of three Japanese husband-Costa Rican wife families. The researcher concentrated on areas of cultural compatibility or similarity, areas of cultural differences or conflicts, and observed how these conflicts are being solved. We can define four possible solutions to conflict: (1) the conflict remains unsolved; (2) the partner from one culture accommodates, or gives in to the other partner's culture; (3) one or both partners arrives at a decision through reasoning or negotiation; or (4) we find a combination of two or more of the above. The observations show cultural compatibilities in the areas of personal cleanliness, honesty, education and women's status. The cultures conflict in areas of dress, punctuality, children's names, the show of affection in public, greetings, food types, and food presentation. The majority of the solutions to these conflicts are provided by the Costa Rican wives, through accommodation. |
|
Return to top of page Go
to: Natural sciences
... agricultural sciences ...
botany ... chemistry
... entomology ... environmental
studies ... geology ... marine
biology ... ornithology ...
zoology |
updated 10/10/06
|
|
||