Nature, Goals, and Perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science

A set of 50 flashcards covering the nature, goals, and perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science based on the lecture notes.

How is culture defined in the context of learned patterns?

Learned patterns of perception, values, and behaviors shared by a group of people that are dynamic and heterogeneous.

What is the primary focus of Anthropology?

The science of humanity, focusing on people and their cultures.

In the triad of social sciences, what is Anthropology designated for?

Culture

In the triad of social sciences, what is Sociology designated for?

Society

In the triad of social sciences, what is Political Science designated for?

Politics

What is one of the primary goals of Anthropology regarding human nature?

Understand human nature through shared traits.

What historical period saw the beginning of Anthropology through the study of 'primitive' societies?

European exploration

How did colonizers during the era of European exploration often view the societies they studied?

As savages or barbaric.

Who is known as the “Father of American Anthropology”?

Franz Boas (1858–1942)

What concept did Franz Boas pioneer to ensure cultures are understood on their own terms?

Cultural relativism

According to Franz Boas, how should racial differences be understood?

As products of historical events, not just biology.

What is the core belief of the Structuralist School in Anthropology?

There are basic units of elements in the way of thinking.

Which scholar is associated with the Structuralist study of kinship?

Claude Lévi-Strauss

Who proposed Cultural Materialism by refining the ideas of Leslie White and Julian Steward?

Marvin Harris

According to Clifford Geertz in Symbolic Anthropology, what is culture?

An organized collection of symbols transmitting meanings.

How does Feminist Anthropology often describe the framing of gender roles for women?

Women are often framed as tied to nature and inherently productive through childbearing.

Which American feminist studied the Kung San people in Africa?

Marjorie Shostak

What is the definition of Sociology?

The study of society, patterns of social interactions, and culture of everyday life.

Name two subject inquiries of Sociology.

Social phenomena and social organization.

What is a specific goal of Sociology regarding social systems?

Recognize interdependence in social systems.

At what historical peak did Sociology emerge as an academic field?

The peak of the Industrial Revolution in Europe.

Who is the French philosopher known as the founder of sociology and positivism?

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

In Auguste Comte's view, what is 'positivism'?

The idea that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge derived from empirical observation and logical reasoning.

What commonality do Anthropology and Sociology share regarding human behavior?

Both study human behavior and the different factors that affect social relations.

What is the definition of Political Science?

The systematic study of governance, power, and political behavior using empirical and analytical methods.

From which ancient culture did the study of political science originate?

The ancient Greeks.

What did Aristotle state about the nature of man in his book 'Politics'?

Man is a political animal.

What are the three main subject inquiries of Political Science?

Political theory, philosophy, and different political ideologies.

Name a goal of Political Science regarding individual rights.

Protect the rights of an individual.

What does Normative theory (Dahl, 2006) involve?

A theoretical analysis of democracy and the description of its ideal type and properties.

What do Institutional approaches (Downs, 1957) assess in government?

The efficiencies or inefficiencies of government systems.

What does Rational choice theory (Downs, 1957) explain about individual decision-making?

Individuals make choices based on cost-benefit analyses.

What is the focus of Feminist perspectives as described by Young (1990)?

Gender-driven assumptions.

What does Marxist theory (Harvey, 2005) delve into within Political Science?

Competing interests and poverty reduction.

What does Discourse theory (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985) critically examine?

Power dynamics concerning region, ethnicity, or historical identity.

What does the structure and agency debate (Giddens, 1984) analyze?

Political change and institutional interests.

What relationship does Political economy (Stiglitz, 2002) scrutinize?

The relationship between the economy and politics.

What is a goal of Anthropology regarding a person's view of their own culture?

View own culture objectively.

Which anthropological perspective views culture as a material phenomenon dealing with interpretation?

Symbolic Anthropology

In Feminist Anthropology, how are men linked to production compared to women?

Men are linked to culture and seen as artificially productive.

What are some specific sociological subject inquiries related to personal background?

Family background, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.

What is a goal of Sociology regarding human roles?

Examine human roles within society.

What is one of the big questions Anthropology asks about human existence?

What does it mean to be human?

What did Auguste Comte believe about the progression of societies?

Societies progress in a predictable, orderly manner.

What does it mean for man to be a 'political animal' according to the text?

It is our nature to live in a society and to have power over another.

What are the components of Public Management mentioned under Political Science?

Human rights, international relations, and foreign policies.

A goal of Political Science is to make people what?

Better citizens.

What is a goal of Political Science regarding social groups?

Keep social order and harmony among different groups of people.

According to Boas, scientific racism should be rejected in favor of what?

Understanding cultures on their own terms rather than judged by Western standards.

What is the goal of Anthropology regarding diversity?

Preserve diversity by studying differences.