Download An Introduction to Anthropology: Understanding Culture, Subfields, and Methods and more Quizzes Introduction to Cultural Anthropology in PDF only on Docsity!
What is Anthropology? (ch. 1)
the study of humankind cooperative study of human biological and cultural diversity and evolution. TERM 2
What Makes it Unique?
DEFINITION 2 A focus on the concept of culture a holistic perspective a comparative perspective TERM 3
Four Subfields
DEFINITION 3 Cultural Ethnology/Ethnography Linguistic (language) historical language Archaeology cultural resource management/contract archaeology Biological Paleoanthropology Medical TERM 4
Applied Anthropology?
DEFINITION 4 Applied Anthropology refers to the application of the method and theory of anthropology to the analysis and solution of practical problems. TERM 5
Specific Goals of Cultural Anthro.
DEFINITION 5 Cultural Diversity the study of behavior especially the comparative study of living and recent human cultures. they do fieldwork
Cultural Relativism?
Cultural relativism is a principle that was established as axiomatic in anthropological research by Franz Boas in the first few decades of the 20th century and later popularized by his students. it differs from moral and ethical. because ethical is the beliefs that all rights and wrongs are relative to time, place and culture such that no moral judgments of behavior can be made. TERM 7
What is Culture? (ch. 2)
DEFINITION 7 Edward Taylor Perspective of Culture "Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." TERM 8
Different Characteristics of Culture
DEFINITION 8 Culture is... Learned a process of Enculturation (active learning)
- Shared Through cultural models and social norms
- Adaptive Through technological innovations and economic practices
- Integrated practices and beliefs from a coherent system.
- Symbolic culture is expressed through language, art, objects, etc. the way we see the world TERM 9
Worldview &
Norms
DEFINITION 9 Worldview A culture-based, often ethnocentric way that people see the world and other peoples. Norms Sets of expectations and attitudes that people have about appropriate behavior. TERM 10
Evolutionism
DEFINITION 10 Evolutionism was a widely held 19th century belief that organisms are intrinsically bound to increase in complexity through evolution. Is it still supported today? Not really
Postmodern Anthropology
Challenge Anthropological Authority Avoided scientific generalizations focused on interpretations and emphasized relativism called for more collaborative approach proposed narrative + style ethnography TERM 17
How do cultural anthropologist collect data?
DEFINITION 17 Methods Ethnography and Ethnology (a.k.a cross culture comparison) fieldwork + ethnahistoric research intensive first hand study of a group to collect cultural data participant observation TERM 18
Ethnographic Fieldwork
DEFINITION 18 intensive fieldwork studying first hand participant observation TERM 19
Issues faced while doing fieldwork
DEFINITION 19 learning a new languagegaining entree and developing rapport (trust) Ethical concerns acquiring consent of the people protecting consultants from risk of danger respecting the privacy and dignity of consultant TERM 20
Language and Culture (ch.4)
DEFINITION 20 Why is language important? Language is unique to humans, it has three key features that help distinguish it from animals. Symbolic-able to hear something and make it into words Displacement- communicate about the past Productivity- able to join words
