How much can we learn about the values a society holds from its rituals and ceremonies? For Wednesday, read carefully a contemporary account of the coronation of Queen Anne, the last of the British monarchs in the Stuart succession, who reigned from 1702 until her death in 1714.

Now pretend that you are a Martian visiting earth for the first time, and happen to land in London during Queen Anne's coronation. Your job is to report back to your superiors on the Red Planet about the earthlings and how they govern themselves. Your bosses as especially keen to know who is in charge, just in case they feel the urge to make contact with the Blue Planet, perhaps at some point during the twenty-first century.

On Blackboard, write a blog on your findings, about 500 words, and come to class prepared to share your insights with your fellow Martian anthropologists.