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Questions and Answers
What concept describes the belief that natural phenomena possess spiritual powers?
What concept describes the belief that natural phenomena possess spiritual powers?
Which of the following terms refers to a belief system that recognizes more than one deity?
Which of the following terms refers to a belief system that recognizes more than one deity?
What is the term for a supernatural being considered sacred, including figures like Satan in Christianity?
What is the term for a supernatural being considered sacred, including figures like Satan in Christianity?
What principle does Laitcite's view on the separation of church and state reflect?
What principle does Laitcite's view on the separation of church and state reflect?
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Which scholarly work focuses on the basic elements of religious life?
Which scholarly work focuses on the basic elements of religious life?
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What distinguishes anthropology from theology in the study of religion?
What distinguishes anthropology from theology in the study of religion?
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What is a key characteristic of formal religions?
What is a key characteristic of formal religions?
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Which statement correctly reflects the relationship between religion and ritual?
Which statement correctly reflects the relationship between religion and ritual?
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What social function is NOT commonly associated with religion?
What social function is NOT commonly associated with religion?
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How do non-formal religions differ from formal religions?
How do non-formal religions differ from formal religions?
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What aspect does Sutton emphasize about religion and ritual?
What aspect does Sutton emphasize about religion and ritual?
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In the context of social organization prior to nation-states, what role did religion serve?
In the context of social organization prior to nation-states, what role did religion serve?
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What is a primary focus of the anthropology of religion compared to traditional theology?
What is a primary focus of the anthropology of religion compared to traditional theology?
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According to Mahmood, what aspect contributes to the contentious relationship between Islamic societies and the West?
According to Mahmood, what aspect contributes to the contentious relationship between Islamic societies and the West?
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What is the focus of the anthropology of ethics as described in the content?
What is the focus of the anthropology of ethics as described in the content?
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What does Laidlaw suggest about people's conduct and the ideal virtuous self?
What does Laidlaw suggest about people's conduct and the ideal virtuous self?
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How does Gellner perceive the nature of relationships in larger societies?
How does Gellner perceive the nature of relationships in larger societies?
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What role does culture play in collective identity according to Mann?
What role does culture play in collective identity according to Mann?
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Which statement best reflects Weber's view on culture and knowledge?
Which statement best reflects Weber's view on culture and knowledge?
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What aspect of social interaction is highlighted by Lambek?
What aspect of social interaction is highlighted by Lambek?
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How is nationalism characterized according to Breuilly?
How is nationalism characterized according to Breuilly?
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Study Notes
ANTH 203 - Course Review
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What is Anthropology?
- Social/Cultural Anthropology studies living groups to understand social processes and human experience.
- Key readings include "The Mushroom at the End of the World" by Anna Tsing, "Liquidated: An Ethnography of Wall Street" by Karen Ho, and "Climate Change and Tradition in a Small Island State" by Peter Rudiak-Gould.
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Ethnography
- Scientific description of individuals or groups through participant observation.
- Ethnology is the comparative study of cultural differences and similarities.
- Ethnographies are detailed studies where anthropologists live with and observe the people they study.
- Emic approach focuses on the insider perspective - concepts and categories of the people.
- Etic approach focuses on the outsider perspective - concepts and categories of the researchers.
- Participant observation follows individuals and cultures over extended periods to gain understanding.
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Other Key Terms
- Qualitative Data: Data not represented by numbers (e.g., descriptive accounts)
- Quantitative Data: Data represented by numbers (e.g., statistics)
- Ethnocentrism: Belief that one's own culture is superior.
- Cultural Relativism: Suspending judgments of other cultures, understanding them within their context.
- Examples include genital cutting, eating insects, specific religious clothing requirements, etc.
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Holism, Comparative Approach:
- The interconnectedness of cultural elements and subcategories, like kinship and religion.
- Comparative studies analyze societies in relation to each other, not in isolation.
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Darwinism in Anthropology
- The flawed idea that natural selection shapes emotions and social behaviors (dated).
- Outdated idea claiming human behavior and culture are biological.
Historical Particularism: Franz Boas
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Historical particularism emphasizes that cultures develop uniquely within their history and environment.
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Societal evolution is not linear.
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Cultural elements are context-dependent.
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Ethnographic study should adopt an emic (insider) perspective.
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Cultural Materialism
- Material conditions (home, food, clothing, technology etc.) determine human thoughts and behaviors.
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Symbolic Anthropology: Clifford Geertz
- An anthropological theory that considers culture as a symbolic system.
- The meaning of symbols within a culture is interpreted rather than simply observed.
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Interpretive Anthropology
- Focuses on how humans use symbols to understand their culture.
- Cultural meaning is deeply connected to the symbols used within society.
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Functionalism
- Social institutions (like family, religion) support biological and societal needs.
- Durkheim believed societies needed various institutions to fulfill needs.
Multilinear Cultural Evolution & Neoevolutionism
- Multilinear Cultural Evolution: Studies cultural evolution as a process that can take different paths.
- Neoevolutionism: Explanations of cultural change through similar cultural adaptations in response to similar environmental conditions.
Post-Modern Period and Post-Modernism
- Post-Modernism: A movement in anthropology that seeks to interpret and describe cultures rather than generalize or create laws.
- Modernists often feel detached from scientific study, while post-modernists challenge the dominance of theoretical generalizations to understand cultures.
Doing Cultural Anthropology
- The study of living groups to understand social processes and human experience.
Ethnography Continued
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Participant Observation: Living and interacting with a group
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Structured vs. Unstructured Data Collection: Predetermined questions (e.g., questionnaires) vs. open-ended questions (e.g., interviews, observations).
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Thick Description: Qualitative research of cultural factors and insights from a researcher.
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Applied Anthropology: Using anthropological knowledge to solve specific problems.
The Anthropological Perspective
- Holistic View: Anthropologists consider the larger picture, the interconnectedness of all aspects of a culture.
- Relative View: All behaviors are explained within a specific cultural and social context.
- Naturalistic Observation: Studying people in their natural environments.
- Comparative Perspective: Evaluating different cultures to see how behaviors vary.
- Global Perspective: Recognizing global forces impact local cultures and how they adapt.
- Bio-cultural Approach: Examining the interface of biology and culture.
- Reflexivity: Reflecting on how one's personal characteristics and experiences can shape and impact the research of observed cultures.
Culture & Identity
- Culture: Learned, shared behaviors in humans, including beliefs, language, values, and worldviews which unify and differentiate groups.
- Nationalism: A learned identity, not a biological one, shared amongst groups of similar people based on cultural values.
Social Organization
- Kinship: Biological and social relationships, including bilateral (from both parents), unilateral (from one parent, patrilineal (father's), or matrilineal (mother's) descent) systems.
- Non-kinship relationships: Societal relationships without blood ties.
- Sodalities: Non-kinship relationships (e.g., clubs, workgroups).
- Political systems: How power and authority are distributed.
- Power: Ability to get desired results.
- Authority: Legitimate use of power.
Anthropology of Exchange/Economic Anthropology
- Reciprocity: Exchange without expecting an immediate return (charitable giving, Christmas gifts).
- Redistribution: Goods flow from a central point out to the community.
- Barter: Directing exchange that involves direct trade for goods or services.
- Market: Exchange influenced by a currency to buy and sell goods or services.
- Subsistence Strategies: Foraging, Horticulture, Pastoralism, Intensive Agriculture, Industrial Agriculture.
Religion, Ritual, and Knowledge
- Anthropology of Religion differs from Theology; Theology focuses on ideas while Anthropology observes lived reality.
- Religion is a system of beliefs, values, practices, and symbols addressing life's ultimate questions.
- Rituals are practiced by individuals and cultural groups and are elements of religion rather than being the entirety of religious expression.
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Description
This quiz reviews key concepts in Anthropology, including its definition, methods, and important readings. You'll explore critical elements like ethnography and the emic vs. etic approaches to study cultures. Prepare to test your understanding of cultural anthropology and related texts.
