Welcome to Anthropology 102 Course Website: The Syllabus and Schedule are available on the site Also: Introduce yourself > “Discussions and Private Messages” > Self Introduction Weekly discussion questions will be posted on this site > “Discussions and Private Messages” 1

Chapter 1 The Essence of Anthropology 2

What Will You Learn? Describe the discipline of anthropology and each of the sub-fields. Compare anthropology to other fields within the social sciences and physical sciences. Identify the characteristics of anthropological field methods and the ethics of anthropological research. Explain the usefulness of anthropology in light of globalization. 3

What is Anthropology? Anthropology is the study of humankind through all times and places. Quite literally it is the study of humans. The study of the biological and cultural evolution and diversity of human beings, past and present. Anthropology is a comparative discipline which seeks to understand what makes people different and what they all have in common. 4

What Do Anthropologists Do? Anthropologists are concerned with the description and explanation of reality. They take on a Holistic approach: the fundamental principle of anthropology wherein various parts of human culture and biology must be viewed in the broadest possible context in order to understand their interconnection and interdependence. 5

Why the Holistic Approach An analogy for anthropology’s holistic approach is a conversation and its broadest possible context. With only partial information it is difficult to grasp what is going on – “hit Sara” “Hit Sara!” “I hit Sara” “the mechanic hit Sara with a huge bill” “A car hit Sara” “Sara’s mother shouldn’t hit Sara when she tries to run out into the street” 6

What do Anthropologists Do? (continued) Upon data collection anthropologists must then analyze their information. They formulate and test hypotheses concerning humankind so they can develop theories about our species. 7

Ethnocentrism When studying new cultures, anthropologists must maintain cultural awareness. This includes identifying and eliminating ethnocentric beliefs or the understanding that their own culture is the proper culture. The holistic approach also guards against the culture bound theory or idea that the world and reality are based on the assumptions and values of one’s own culture. 8

Culture Bound Exorcism vs the Scientific Community Historically Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam, Judism, Western Medicine Pin The Exorcist (1973) Movie (First Video)John Marshall asks Kalahari bushmen/san why an extremly ill child is not taken to a clinic for ARV’s they respond with because ‘it’s too late, and the child will die’ 9

Critical Thought Where did you sleep as a child? – crib, bassinet, swing, co- sleep? How did this affect your growth as a child? Will this be reflective of how you might put your own child to sleep? – Why or why not? 10

Four Sub-Fields of Anthropology Physical Anthropology Archaeology Linguistic Anthropology Cultural Anthropology 11

Interaction Between Subfields These rings are continuous rather than discreet In this hierarchy forensic anthropology uses theory and methods from both archaeology and physical anthropology Archaeology allows the forensic anthropologist to consider associated items at the crime scene as well as providing a systematic method for recovering items (excavate using a grid to keep things organized, don’t use a backhoe that damages and mixes up items being recovered) Physical anthropology allows the forensic anthologist to identify the sex based on physical characteristics of the skeletal remains (the width and shape of the pelvis: the female pelvis is wider and more bowl shaped to accommodate childbirth) 12

Medical Anthropology The use of insights from cultural anthropology and physical anthropology to understand the relationship between human health and cultural behaviors. 13

Applied Anthropology Often seen as the fifth sub-field of anthropology. This is the use of anthropological knowledge and methods to solve practical problems, often for a specific client. 14

Cultural Anthropology The study of different patterns in human behavior, thought, and feelings. Focuses on humans as culture-producing and culture-reproducing creatures. Culture is a society’s shared and socially transmitted ideas, values, and perceptions. These are used to make sense of experience and generate behavior and are reflected in that behavior. 15

How do anthropologists study cultures? Fieldwork is the term anthropologists use for on-location research. A main component of fieldwork is participant observation, the technique of learning a people’s culture through direct participation in their everyday life over an extended period of time. 16

Ethnography and the role of Ethnology Ethnology is the study and analysis of various cultures from a comparative and historical aspect. This utilizes ethnographic accounts and developed theories to help explain cultural differences and similarities. This is largely allowed through ethnographic study. – The detailed description of a particular culture based on fieldwork. 17

Remembering Ethnography vs Ethnology Ethnography is a single ‘photograph’ of a culture Ethnology is a compilation of these ‘photographs’ It is possible to see changes taking place over time, as well as similarities between places. In addition to this the “photographer’s” perspective influences what can be seen, e.g. a woman is less likely to have a picture of the inside of the men’s restroom than the inside of the women’s restroom maxresdefault youtube.com 18

Linguistic Anthropology This is the study of human languages. There are three components of this discipline. 1)Descriptive – this includes syntax and grammar of the language. 2)Historical – the way languages change over time. 3)Social or cultural – Anthropologists here understand the relationship between a people’s culture and their language. 19

Archaeology This branch of anthropology focuses on the study of material culture through the recovery and analysis of material remains. May include artifacts such as: tools, hearths, plant, marine, animal or human remains and pottery. 20

Historical Archaeology Historical archaeologists generally study the time frame within the past 5,000 years of humanity or the time frame wherein written accounts exist. This may include societies and indigenous cultures such as: Egypt, Pompeii, Andean Cultures, Native American groups, etc. 21

Bio-archaeology These archaeologists focus on the study of human remains through emphasizing the preservation of cultural and social processes in the skeleton. They will make inferences about the relationship between ancient peoples and the environment. 22

Critical Thought What could bio- archaeologists learn about diet and lifestyle from the study of skeletal remains? How might this information be useful in a modern context? 23

Contemporary Archaeology While most archaeologists have a focus on the human antiquity some prefer to focus their research on modern societies and cultures. One method of evaluation for modern cultures is through the Garbage Dump Project. Archaeologists focus on studying modern human waste. 24

A Visual approximation of William Rathje © Family Guy

Critical Thought Imagine the amount of trash your family or yourself disposes of daily, weekly, or annually. If someone were to study your trash what would they learn about you? What do the items we dispose of say about us to future generations or archaeologists? 26

Cultural Resource Management A branch of archaeology tied to government policies for the protection of cultural resources It involves surveying and/or excavating archaeological and historical remains threatened by construction or development. NAGPRA- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. 27

Physical Anthropology Physical anthropology, also known as biological anthropology, focuses on humans as biological organisms, evolution, and human variation. Analyze fossils and observe living primates to reconstruct the ancestry of the human species. The biocultural perspective focuses on the interaction of biology and culture. 28

Molecular Anthropology A sub-field of physical anthropology. This discipline focuses on the genetic and biochemical techniques to test hypotheses about human evolution, adaptation, and variation. 29

Human Adaptation Often studies about human adaptation will focus on the ability of humans to adapt or adjust to their material environment, both biologically and culturally. Although biological adaptations allow for humans to occupy marginal environments, cultural adaptations enhance their survival. 30

Critical Thought What are some cultural adaptations we have made in our own culture to better allow us to survive in this environment? Are there negative effects of these adaptations? If so, do the benefits outweigh those negative effects? 31

Physical Anthropology Paleoanthropology is the study of the origins and predecessors of the present human species; specifically the study of human evolution. These anthropologists focus on reconstructing the course of human evolution through fossilized remains. 32

Physical Anthropology Primatology – The study of living and fossil primates. – These studies offer scientific perspectives on the behavior of our ancestors and our closest living relatives. 33

Physical Anthropology Forensic anthropology – This is an applied sub-field of physical anthropology that specializes in the identification of human skeletal remains for legal purposes. 34

Anthropology as one of the Humanities The empirical approach of anthropological research, observations gathered through senses and verified by others, has led to many insights on human failures and successes, weaknesses, and greatness. Through this method of data collection anthropologists can create and test hypotheses and develop theories. 35

Anthropology as one of the Humanities (continued) Doctrine – An assertion of opinion or belief handed down by an authority as true and indisputable. Hypothesis – A tentative explanation of the relation between certain phenomena. Theory – An explanation of natural phenomena, supported by a reliable body of data. 36

Anthropology’s Comparative Method Uses the methods of other scientists by developing hypotheses and arriving at theories. Anthropologists make comparisons between peoples and cultures past and present, related species, and fossil groups. 37

Anthropological Ethics Since anthropologists work directly with people or material items created by people they have many ethical obligations. The most important obligation is always to the people or materials you are studying. – Informed Consent- recorded agreement to participate in research; federally mandated for all U.S. and European research. 38

Anthropology and Globalization Globalization refers to worldwide interconnectedness, evidenced in global movements of natural resources, human labor, finance capital, information, infectious diseases, and trade goods. The forces driving globalization are technological innovations, lower transportation and communication costs, faster knowledge transfers, and increased trade and financial integration among countries. 39

Connectedness Every human lives in a large global village. Because of this we can no longer afford to ignore our global neighbors despite how distant or foreign they may seem. It is essential that we learn about the aspects of the cultures that make us all both uniquely separate and connected. 40