Introduction to Anthropology and Culture

What is Anthropology?

• Anthropology is the study of humanity and everything that makes us human.
• It has four academic subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Linguistic Anthropology.
• There is also one practical subfield called Applied Anthropology.

What is Cultural Anthropology?

• Cultural Anthropologists study the similarities and differences among living societies and cultural groups.
• They ask broad questions about humankind.
• They often study social groups different from their own, but also examine subcultures within their own society.

What is Culture?

• Culture is a set of beliefs, practices, and symbols that are learned and shared.
• Beliefs are all mental aspects of culture.
• Practices are behaviors and actions.
• Symbols are meanings of cultural objects and ideas.

Subfields of Cultural Anthropology

• Anthropology of family and kinship
• Anthropology of food and nutrition
• Anthropology of gender and sexuality
• Anthropology of religion
• Anthropology of science
• Business Anthropology
• Digital Anthropology
• Ecological or environmental anthropology
• Economic anthropology
• Feminist anthropology
• Medical anthropology
• Political anthropology
• Psychological anthropology
• Queer Anthropology
• Urban anthropology
• Visual Anthropology

The Other Subfields of Anthropology

• Biological Anthropology – study of human origins, evolution, and variation.
• Archaeology – study of the material past, using excavation.
• Linguistic Anthropology – study of human language.
• Applied Anthropology – application of anthropological theories, methods and findings to solve practical problems.

A Brief History of Anthropological Thinking

• Early travelers like Zhang Qian (164-113 BC) and Ibn Battuta (1304-1369) contributed to the development of anthropology.
• The "Age of Discovery" (1400-1700s) involved exploration and exploitation.
• The "Age of Enlightenment" (beginning in the 1700s) emphasized science and observation.
• The 1800s saw the development of science, participant-observation, and cultural relativism with contributions from individuals like Sir Charles Lyell, Charles Darwin, and John Locke.

Anthropology and Colonialism

• Anthropologists often collaborated with governments during the colonial era.
• This collaboration often resulted in the exploitation of indigenous peoples.
• Decolonization movements are calling for the repatriation of artifacts and the decolonization of museums and academic institutions.

Anthropological Perspectives

• Holism: This perspective underscores how the different aspects of human life influence one another.
• Cultural Relativism: This principle advocates for understanding others from the perspective of their own culture.
• Comparison: This method is used to learn about similarities and differences across cultures.

The Importance of Cultural Anthropology Today

• It helps us understand people from different backgrounds.
• It equips individuals with valuable skills for the workforce, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• It fosters a broader understanding of other cultures.

Why is Anthropology Important?

• It helps us understand the complexities and influences of race, popular music, and medical anthropology.
• It illuminates issues related to gender, malnutrition, power dynamics, and violence in various regions.
• It contributes to the understanding of human behavior and the world we live in.

Explore the fascinating field of anthropology, which studies humanity, culture, and social practices. This quiz covers the four subfields of anthropology, with a focus on cultural anthropology and its various aspects, including family, food, and gender. Test your understanding of the concepts that shape human societies.