What is Anthropology?

BUT FIRST….THE BABIES!!!

Anthropology What is Anthropology? The word anthropology itself tells the basic story--from the Greek anthropos ("human") and logia ("study")‏ The word anthropology itself tells the basic story--from the Greek anthropos ("human") and logia ("study")‏ Anthropology is the broad study of humankind around the world and throughout time. Anthropology is the broad study of humankind around the world and throughout time. It is concerned with both the biological and the cultural aspects of humans. It is concerned with both the biological and the cultural aspects of humans.

INTUITION and CURIOUSITY INTUITION and CURIOUSITY –Intuition is believing something to be true because a person’s emotions and logic support it –Intuition is not proof of fact – this is why we need anthropologists – they prove or disprove what we BELIEVE to be true

INTUITION and CURIOUSITY Curiosity. -- we all "do" anthropology because it is rooted in a universal human trait: curiosity. --we are curious about ourselves and about other people, the living as well as the dead, here and around the globe. -- We all ask anthropological questions.

Anthropological Questions Anthropological Questions * Do all societies have marriage customs? * Do all societies have marriage customs? * Are human beings innately violent or peaceful? * Are human beings innately violent or peaceful? * Did the earliest humans have light or dark skins? * Did the earliest humans have light or dark skins? * When did people first begin speaking a language? * When did people first begin speaking a language? * How related are humans, monkeys and chimpanzees? * How related are humans, monkeys and chimpanzees? * Is Homo sapiens's brain still evolving? * Is Homo sapiens's brain still evolving?

COMPARATIVE METHOD Anthropology begins with a simple idea: any detail of our behavior can be understood better when it is seen compared against a full range of human behavior. This, the comparative method, attempts to explain similarities and differences among people in the context of humanity as a whole. Anthropology begins with a simple idea: any detail of our behavior can be understood better when it is seen compared against a full range of human behavior. This, the comparative method, attempts to explain similarities and differences among people in the context of humanity as a whole.

Anthropology: Main Subdivisions: Physical Anthropology Mechanisms of biological evolution, genetic inheritance, human adaptability and variation, primatology, and the fossil record of human evolution Mechanisms of biological evolution, genetic inheritance, human adaptability and variation, primatology, and the fossil record of human evolution Cultural Anthropology Culture, ethnocentrism, cultural aspects of language and communication, subsistence and other economic patterns, kinship, sex and marriage, socialization, social control, political organization, class, ethnicity, gender, religion, and culture change Culture, ethnocentrism, cultural aspects of language and communication, subsistence and other economic patterns, kinship, sex and marriage, socialization, social control, political organization, class, ethnicity, gender, religion, and culture changeArchaeology Prehistory and early history of cultures around the world; major trends in cultural evolution; and techniques for finding, excavating, dating, and analyzing material remains of past societies Prehistory and early history of cultures around the world; major trends in cultural evolution; and techniques for finding, excavating, dating, and analyzing material remains of past societies Linguistic Anthropology The human communication process focusing on the importance of socio- cultural influences; nonverbal communication; and the structure, function, and history of languages, dialects, pidgins, and creoles The human communication process focusing on the importance of socio- cultural influences; nonverbal communication; and the structure, function, and history of languages, dialects, pidgins, and creoles

Why Study Anthropology? to analyse and understand diverse cultures and societies of the contemporary world. to analyse and understand diverse cultures and societies of the contemporary world. to critically and holistically examine perspectives and relationships with people from different societies, cultures, sub-cultures, etc. to critically and holistically examine perspectives and relationships with people from different societies, cultures, sub-cultures, etc. to give students a better understanding of cultural changes and intercultural relations in the context of phenomena such as globalization, migration, multiculturalism, and technological change. to give students a better understanding of cultural changes and intercultural relations in the context of phenomena such as globalization, migration, multiculturalism, and technological change. to focus on solutions to social, political, economic, and environmental problems. Anthropologists provide important input in the fields of international development, conflict resolution, resource management, health care, etc. to focus on solutions to social, political, economic, and environmental problems. Anthropologists provide important input in the fields of international development, conflict resolution, resource management, health care, etc. to promote the unique character of ethnographic research, the long-term, detailed study of a society. to promote the unique character of ethnographic research, the long-term, detailed study of a society.

Examples of career opportunities Anthropologist Anthropologist Program Analyst for immigration policies, international development, environmental protection, cultural heritage and education programs, etc. Program Analyst for immigration policies, international development, environmental protection, cultural heritage and education programs, etc. Public Policy Adviser Public Policy Adviser International Development Officer International Development Officer Consultant Consultant Academic Researcher Academic Researcher Researcher for media productions, organizational publications, etc. Researcher for media productions, organizational publications, etc. Community development adviser Community development adviser Immigration Officer Immigration Officer

Examples of career opportunities Human Relations Officer Human Relations Officer Media Coordinator Media Coordinator Diplomat Diplomat Museum researcher and program development officer Museum researcher and program development officer Public Relations Specialist Public Relations Specialist Conflict negotiator or advisor Conflict negotiator or advisor Ethics Advisor (e.g. healthcare issues) Ethics Advisor (e.g. healthcare issues) Teacher Teacher Research officer or negotiator for Aboriginal communities Research officer or negotiator for Aboriginal communities Advertising or marketing advisor Advertising or marketing advisor