Paleolithic Cave Paintings: Importance to Human History and Art

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of an anthropologist in a colonial setting, according to the text?

Documentation of differences that functions to support continued subjugation of the group he studies.

During which cultural movement of 18th century Europe did modern anthropology develop?

The Age of Enlightenment.

What is the focus of Cultural Anthropology, according to Table 1?

The study of customary patterns in human behavior, thought, and feelings.

What is the definition of Diffusionism in anthropology?

The spread of certain ideas, customs, or practices from one culture to another. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main schools of diffusionism?

The British school and the German school. Signup and view all the answers

According to the British diffusionists, where did civilization originate?

Egypt. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Archaeology, according to Table 1?

The study of human culture through the recovery and analysis of material remains. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the authors of the textbook that defined diffusion?

Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride. Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the word 'anthropology' and what does it mean?

The word 'anthropology' has a Greek origin, where 'anthropos' means 'man' and 'logos' means 'word', thereby meaning a word or study about man (human beings). Signup and view all the answers

What does anthropology represent, according to Barnard (2000)?

Anthropology represents the science of human beings. Signup and view all the answers

How does Langness (1974) define anthropology?

'...the scientific study of human beings-that is, of the human creature viewed in the abstract: male, female, all colors and shapes, prehistoric, ancient, and modern.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the major task of anthropology, according to Ahmed (1986)?

To enable us to understand ourselves through understanding other cultures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of anthropology, according to Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride (2011)?

The study of humankind in all times and places. Signup and view all the answers

How does anthropology study human beings, according to the text?

In aspects ranging from the biology and evolutionary history of Homo sapiens to the features of society and culture that decisively distinguish humans from other animal species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the historical context in which anthropology emerged?

The colonial expansion of Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What criticism has been leveled against anthropology in the context of colonialism?

That it has contributed to the gulf between Western and non-Western cultures by providing information that supports the mental constructs developed by those in power. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Anthropology

Anthropology originates from the Greek words "anthropos" meaning man and "logos" meaning word, thus studying human beings.
Anthropology is the science of human beings, aiming to understand themselves at all times and places.
It involves the study of other cultures, employing participant observation and collecting qualitative data.

Origins of Anthropology

Anthropology emerged from the colonial expansion of Europe.
Anthropology contributed to the gulf between Western and non-Western cultures by providing information that supports the mental constructs developed by those in power.
Many scholars argue that modern anthropology developed during the Age of Enlightenment, a cultural movement of 18th century Europe.

Special Fields of Anthropology

Physical Anthropology: the systemic study of humans as biological organisms.
Cultural Anthropology: the study of customary patterns in human behavior, thought, and feelings, focusing on humans as culture-producing and culture-reproducing creatures.
Linguistic Anthropology: the study of human languages, looking at their structure, history, and relation to social and cultural context.
Archaeology: the study of human culture through the recovery and behavior.

Theories of Anthropology

Diffusionism

Diffusionism is the spread of certain ideas, customs, or practices from one culture to another.
The diffusionist school of thought started growing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
There are two main schools of diffusionists: the British school and the German school.
The British diffusionists proposed that every aspect of civilization originated from Egypt and later spread to other parts of the world.
The German diffusionist school was led by prominent scholars such as...