Anthropology - Butler University

perceived as 'primitive' and worthless to a valuable, prized possession all through the connotation
under which it’s sold. I will be using examples from African art and Mexican textiles to
demonstrate the relationship between differing cultures and to showcase some very relevant
examples of art manipulation.
A Fatal Attraction: The Symbiotic Relationship between Indianapolis and a Sports
Strategy
Lian Thang, Faculty Sponsor: Susan Hyatt, Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis
For Indianapolis, a chance to host the 2012 Super Bowl is not only an honor, but it is an
opportunity to rebrand itself as a "big league city" with Midwestern charm. From the building of
the Lucas Oil Stadium, to the expansion of the existing convention center to subsidizing the
building of a soaring new hotel, Indianapolis has bent itself backward to be "cool" and "sporty."
This dependency on sports as a mean for economic development has created a complex
landscape in the city of Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Thus, I will analyze how the
vernacular landscape of the city of Indianapolis and its surroundings has been impacted over
time due to a sports strategy.
Coffee and Dates: Perceptions of Life in the Modern Middle East
Patrick Thevenow, Faculty Sponsor: Elise Edwards, Butler University
This presentation explores the differing usage of public space by men in the Middle East and the
implications of foreign perception upon this activity through the analysis of existing historical
and anthropological work on this subject and original ethnographic fieldwork in the Sultanate of
Oman. Through examining the use of public space in the Middle East I create an image of life in
a culture quite different from America which will aid in furthering understanding between
American and Middle Eastern culture. Firsthand ethnographic work with Omani men over their
daily date and coffee meetings is the basis of this work, coupled with a discussion of the effects
of foreign and domestic perception upon the activities of this last generation of men to grow up
in a largely pre-oil Middle East. This work is a culmination of over two years of research,
multiple trips to a wide range of locations in the Middle East, and countless hours of writing and
editing that has all contributed to create a unique image of a part of life in the Arab World that is
rarely encountered by Americans.
The Curse of Being Iraqi: A Summer in Kurdistan
Patrick Thevenow, Faculty Sponsor: Elise Edwards, Butler University
American perceptions of life in Iraq have been largely formed through images of atrocities and
war over the past two decades. While my personal perception of Iraq had been formed based
upon these images, a trip to Iraq in the summer of 2011 completely rebuilt my understanding of
life in Iraq. Through photographs, ethnographic storytelling, and discussion, I hope to paint a
unique portrait of daily life in Iraq. While what has been broadcast on television is a part of the
reality of life here, it is by no means the entire reality. This presentation will seek to broaden
horizons and enhance the understanding of life for Iraqis--a group of people who remain
misunderstood and demonized by long years of war and violence.