L

1. what is anthropology?

anthropology - study of humans over time and space

  • holistic

  • study of humans

  • study of human behavior over time

  • evolution of humanity

  • evolution of beliefs, values, and cultures

  • four types

    • cultural

    • linguistic

    • archaeology

    • physical

  • anthropology is a way to understand humans and cultures

  • it provides a holistic perspective → whole of human kind

  • studies cultures, behaviors, societies, and evolution.

  • humans are the most adaptable species in the world

  • applied anthropologist - work with city planners, museums, and others to make sure they make the proper decisions working with cultures.

  • cultural anthropology

    • cultural universal - things that all cultures do and have

      • communication/language

      • food

      • water

      • clothing

      • shelter

    • cultural particularities - things that are particular to a certain culture (we watched a video of the dinka during this part)

      • how they treat animals

      • hygiene

      • behavior expectations

      • music and dances

      • religion

    • cultural anthropology - studies cultures → fieldwork

      • participant observation - they participate in people’s daily lives.

      • ethnography - data collection.

      • ethnology - narrative of the culture.

      • HRAF - database that keeps all ethnologies.

        • human relations area file

      • comparing/contrasting

      • similarities/differences

      • by doing field work we have cultural relativism - the opposite of ethnocentrism. knowing all cultures are equally complex and rich.

        • understand cultures within their own context

      • trying to figure out why people do the things they do.

group task - archeology

  • think of an example from everyday life that is related to your assigned subfield.

  • Task: Imagine you're an archaeologist digging up something from a home 500 years

    from now. What everyday objects might be found (e.g., phones, kitchen tools), and what might these objects tell future archaeologists about our society?

    • ninja mixer - technology heavy society

    • computers/televisions

    • clothing

    • toys

  • archeology

    • studies past societies through excavation and analysis of material remains

    • vocabulary

      • artifact - objects made or modified by humans

      • sites - locations that have archeological significance

      • excavation - carefully uncovering and recording artifacts

  • biological anthropology

    • study of human evolution and biological aspects of humans

      • primatology - study of primates

      • forensic anthropology - study of how people died

  • linguistic anthropology

    • study of languages and the connection between language and culture.