What is a “contact situation” and why is it important?

Why do group relationships change when a society undergoes a change in subsistence technology?

Which, if any, of these dominant-minority situations is new to you? Which was the most surprising to you? Why?

Do you think that your peers are aware of the situations described in this section? How about most Americans? How would you explain the level of information (or interest) that people have in these matters?

Do the case studies in this chapter demonstrate the importance of the contact situation and subsistence technology? How?

Which is the most important of the major concepts applied in this text? Why?