What is Anthropology?

The study of humankind everywhere throughout time.

  Past, present and future Humans and ancestorsGlobal perspective

Provides perspectives on how people differ from one another and how they are the same.

 

Branches of Anthropology

Physical humans as biological organisms Evolutionary development Biological variation

Archaeology Recover info about past cultures by examining

Material objects Skeletal remains settlements

Branches of Anthropology

Cultural How humans thinks, feel and behave How cultures vary

Linguistics Study language and communication systems How culture is passed down to subsequent

generations

How is Anthropology Done?

IT IS A SCIENCE Formulate and test hypotheses

Aim to develop robust theories about our species

DATA collection by Fieldwork Lab studies

 

Compared to other disciplines

Cross-culturalLong-term perspectiveHolistic  People   Place Culture  

Core Ideas

Study humans and relatives of humans in order to determine what it means "to be human"

Attempts to understand humankind are not recent phenomenon but only practical with advent of accessible travel. GLOBAL in nature.

Diversity is acceptedHOLISTIC - rather than focus on one subtopic or

component, Anthropology looks at interconnections and interdependence of human experience.

Willingness to draw on expertise of other fields to explain observed phenomena

Read first then discuss

Attempts to avoid studies/ideas that are "culture-bound". Try to reduce ethnocentric thinking. Pg 6 - infants and sleeping with or without parents.

Acts as a sounding board/testing lab for the theories of psychologists/sociologists, etc. Pg 7 - organ transplants in different cultures.

Anthropology uses/creates Theory Research Methodology Applications Pg 10-11 - forensic examination of genocide victims.

Fieldwork Issues/Concerns

How does one remain unbiased/impartial while becoming involved with study group?

Can learn more if enmeshed in culture but lose observer perspective

Comparative Method

Used to assess theories

Compare data of biological/cultural/linguistic or historical nature of 2 or more groups to understand larger patterns.

Best theories are based on WORLDWIDE comparisons.

Example of Comp. Method

Ex: Height is advantageous. In Masai: Allows for better detection of predators on

Savanna. In Pygmy: Small stature allows for better navigation of

rainforest environments. By comparing height and environment, better theory

can be developed. Height is indicative of environment in which population

evolved. Data comes from Evolutionary studies. Temperature also plays a role. SA:V ratio. Tall thin is

better in hot, Short round is better in cold. Data comes from Physiology.

Ethics

What will findings be used for?What happens when research objectives are

at odds with belief/tradition?Who decides what constitutes "betterment"

or aid?How to rectify cultural relativism with global

opinion/standards? Ex: Sharia law vs. Common law

How to maintain privacy, dignity, etc?

Globalization

Effects are both + and –

Loss of cultural identity

Rapid dissemination of information/knowledge

Other issues

Pg 20-21 for examples