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Paper 2 is the second examination you'll encounter in your IB Social and Cultural Anthropology assessments. In this post, we will provide a thorough breakdown of IB Social and Cultural Anthropology Paper 2, exploring the questions you may encounter and offering valuable tips on how to tackle them effectively.
IB Social and Cultural Anthropology Paper 2
- For SL, Paper 1 contributes 40% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 45%.
- SL students have 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the assessment. HL students have 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Made up of two sections – Section A and Section B.
- In Section A, students answer one question requiring to connect a key concept, area of inquiry and real-world issue.
- For Section B:
- SL students answer one question from one area of inquiry other than the one used in section A.
- HL students answer two questions from two areas of inquiry other than the one used in section A.
A typical Section A question may look the following way:
(1) With reference to ethnographic material from one area of inquiry you have studied, discuss how power or materiality or change helps you to understand one of the following real-world issues that is grounded in a contemporary example:
- environment
- human rights
- inequality
- technology
- violence [15]
A typical HL Section B question may look the following way:
Belonging [15]
(2) To what extent can the politics of inclusion or exclusion be used to construct or to express identity or personhood?
(3) Discuss how globalization affects one of the following:
- community
- ethnicity/race
- kinship
- socialisation/enculturation/acculturation.
Classifying the world [15]
(4) Discuss how either ritual and religion or morality can be used to maintain boundaries.
(5) To what extent are social relations influenced by one of the following:
- health and illness
- insider/outsider
- language
- purity and pollution?
Health, illness and healing [15]
(6) Discuss how either power or social relations affect health and illness in a society you have studied.
(7) Discuss how health and healing practices are affected by one of the following:
- biomedicine
- causation
- hybridity
- inequality
How to succeed in Paper 2
To succeed in IB Social and Cultural Anthropology Paper 2, it is essential to understand that this is a fully essay-based exam. Each question is worth 15 marks, and your responses must be structured, in-depth essays that demonstrate critical thinking, strong argumentation, and thorough engagement with anthropological ideas. This paper requires students to write analytically, support their points with multiple ethnographic examples, and consider counterarguments.
In Section A, students are asked to respond to a question that links a key concept, an area of inquiry, and a real-world issue. The goal is to demonstrate your ability to think holistically, making clear connections between these three elements. Strong responses in this section will clearly define the key concept, explain how the area of inquiry is relevant, and use anthropological thinking to address the real-world issue at hand. This includes applying ethnographic case studies and theoretical perspectives to support your argument. Your essay should go beyond simply describing examples – it should explain their significance and analyze how they contribute to your overall argument.
In Section B SL students write one essay from a different area of inquiry than the one used in Section A, while HL students write two essays, each from a different area of inquiry not covered in Section A. Here, you should show that you understand different cultural practices, represent multiple perspectives, and are able to apply anthropological theories appropriately. A successful essay will not only present evidence but will analyze it, draw connections, and explore its implications and potential limitations.
You should aim to structure your essays with a strong introduction, well-organized paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together. Also, remember that practice is crucial and hence we recommend solving past papers under timed conditions.
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