Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science Overview

Study Notes

Change is a fundamental aspect of nature and is reflected in societal evolution.
Innovations in science and technology continuously reshape lifestyles across generations.

Focuses on the study of people and their cultures through various research methods, notably ethnography, which involves prolonged engagement with subjects.
Franz Boas is regarded as the Father of Modern American Anthropology, contributing to "historical particularism" which emphasizes the uniqueness of each culture.
Four Fields of Anthropology:
- Biological Anthropology: Study of human origins including genetics and evolution.
- Cultural Anthropology: Exploration of contemporary human societies and their social customs.
- Linguistics: Examination of language development and relationships between languages.
- Archaeology: Study of past cultures through material remains.
Goals of Anthropology:
- Identify similarities and differences across cultures to foster understanding and preservation of diversity.
- Generate new knowledge and theories about humanity.
- Cultivate a more objective perspective on one’s own culture.

Investigates societal patterns, social interactions, and the everyday cultural dynamics that shape communities.
Employs qualitative research methods to analyze various social phenomena, including family, socioeconomic factors, ethnicity, and norms.
Founder of Sociology: A French philosopher and mathematician emphasized the need for systematic societal studies.
Goals of Sociology:
- Develop theories and principles about societal dynamics.
- Enhance understanding of human roles within societal frameworks.
- Promote appreciation of interdependencies in social structures.

Systematically studies government structures, political behavior, and power dynamics.
Recognizes that politics influences individual lives both directly and indirectly.
Goals of Political Science:
- Foster informed and responsible citizenship.
- Maintain social order and encourage cooperation between groups.
- Uphold individual rights and minimize conflict.

Defined as a comprehensive system of living shared among group members, shaped by historical context.
Explicit Culture (Material Culture): Observable behaviors and actions shared within a society.
Implicit Culture (Non-Material Culture): Underlying abstract beliefs and values which may not be immediately evident.

Social Nature: Culture arises from collective behaviors and does not exist in isolation.
Variability: Cultural practices are diverse, unique to specific societies, and evolve over time; not uniform across different contexts.
Shared Understanding: Within cultural groups, members communicate and relate through common symbols and practices.
Learned Behavior: Culture is acquired through social interactions rather than innate.
Transmission: Cultural knowledge is passed from one generation to another through socialization processes.