An Application of Mathematical Groups to Structures of Human Groups (UMAP)

A unit that utilizes mathematical groups in studying structures of human groups. The purpose of this module is to learn the elements of the groups idea, primarily by way of a geometric model, and to see its application to the study of kinship relations within certain human groups.

Table of Contents:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. AN EXAMPLE OF A MATHEMATICAL GROUP
2.1 Labeled Triangles
2.2 Rotations
2.3 Flips
2.4 Successive Applications of Rotations and Flips
2.5 The Multiplication Table
2.6 Table 2 as a Mathematical Group
2.7 Other Examples
2.8 Summary

3. ANOTHER METHOD OF COMPUTING PRODUCTS

4. AN APPLICATION TO KINSHIP STRUCTURES
4.1 The Wife Transformation
4.2 The Child Transformation
4.3 First Cousin Marriages

5. SUMMARY

6. READINGS

7. ANSWERS TO EXERCISES