Introduction to Anthropology

  • Reminder for best results, download PowerPoints and view lectures in full screen mode.

  • Encourage students to take notes as there will be a quiz at the end of the module.

Scope of the Lecture

  • The class will focus on Global Challenges and the relevance of anthropology to these topics.

  • Speaker’s expertise is in anthropology, highlighting its importance in viewing global challenges.

Understanding Anthropology

  • What is Anthropology?

    • Definition: The scientific study of humanity.

    • Covers all aspects related to humans.

  • Clarification on the common misconceptions about anthropology among the general public.

  • Notable experiences indicating the general public's lack of familiarity with the discipline.

Subfields of Anthropology

  • Anthropology is divided into four primary subdisciplines:

    1. Anthropological Linguistics

    2. Archaeology

    3. Biological Anthropology

    4. Cultural Anthropology

  • Students must select one subfield to focus on if majoring in anthropology.

Anthropological Linguistics

  • Definition: The study of the relationship between behavior, culture, and language.

  • Areas of study include:

    • Language Construction: Examination of the basic makeup of a language, including its alphabet, syntax, and grammar.

    • Origins and Migrations: Investigating where languages originated and how they have spread geographically, which reflects human behavior.

    • Language Evolution: How languages change over time to adapt to cultural shifts.

    • Examples of linguistic evolution discussed:

    • Words reflecting new cultural developments (e.g., Hawaiian vocabulary adaptations due to cultural change).

Recent Language Additions (Examples)

  • Antifa: A political protest movement against fascism.

  • Broflake: A man upset by progressive attitudes conflicting with conservative views.

  • Gaslighting: Psychological manipulation to doubt one's reality.

  • Plant-based: Dishes primarily consisting of plant-derived products.

  • Climate denial: Rejection of climate change issues.

  • Slacktivism: Minimal effort actions supporting political or social causes.

Oxford Word of the Year

  • Recognition of terms reflecting cultural ethos and changes:

    • 2018: Toxic

    • 2019: Climate Emergency

    • 2020: A collection of terms reflecting 2020's tumultuous events (e.g., Cancel Culture, COVID-19).

    • 2021: Vax, related to vaccinations during the pandemic.

    • 2022: Goblin mode, representing self-indulgent behavior.

Archaeology

  • Definition: The study of past peoples and cultures through their material remains.

  • Discussion on misconceptions about archaeology influenced by media.

  • Actual archaeological work is meticulous and often involves studying less glamorous artifacts than those typically portrayed in entertainment.

Significance of Artifacts

  • Archaeologists gain valuable insights from garbage, as it often provides information about past cultures that pristine artifacts do not.

  • Critical Thinking Question: What could an archaeologist learn from examining modern garbage?

Relation to Global Challenges

  • History often reveals repeating cycles of societal issues that can inform current global challenges.

    • Emphasis on learning from past civilizations’ rises and falls.

Biological Anthropology

  • Definition: The study of the biological aspects of humanity, focusing on physical characteristics such as

    • Skeletal structure, skin color, brain complexity, inherited traits, and genes.

  • Sub-specialties include:

    • Human Geneticists: Study biological inheritance.

    • Forensic Anthropologists: Application of anthropology in legal contexts, popularized through media.

    • Primatologists: Study non-human primates, offering insights into human behavior.

Famous Primatologists

  • Jane Goodall: Pioneered studies on chimpanzees and contributed to understanding human evolution and conservation.

  • Dian Fossey: Known for gorilla research; her efforts changed perceptions of gorillas in popular culture.

Cultural Anthropology

  • Definition: Studies traditional beliefs, behaviors, and technologies of contemporary peoples.

  • Current practice of cultural anthropology extends to urban settings and various workplaces.

Culture Defined

  • Culture: A system of knowledge used to design actions and interpret behaviors of others.

  • Attributes of culture:

    • Dynamic: Continuously evolving over time.

    • Arbitrary: What is acceptable varies greatly among cultures (e.g., food practices).

    • Socially Shared: Cultural norms develop within social constructs.

    • Learned: Culture is not innate; it is acquired through interactions.

Arbitrary Nature of Culture and Food Examples

  • American view of dogs vs. other cultures that consume them.

  • Cultural differences in food consumption practices highlight arbitrary definitions of acceptable diet.

  • The concept of eating insects in certain cultures as a practical solution to food sustainability.

Beauty Standards Across Cultures

  • Attributes considered beautiful can vary widely:

    • Universal traits (such as facial symmetry) vs. culturally specific practices (e.g., neck rings in some cultures).

  • Discussion of practices like foot binding and the use of tattoos illustrating varying perceptions of beauty and social status.

Conclusion

  • Culture’s nature is complex, involving a blend of biological, social, and learned elements.

  • The module sets the stage for continued exploration of culture in relation to anthropology in the next session.