Anthropology Notes PDF

Anthropology Notes What does the word research mean to you? - To me research means gathering information on a topic that you don\'t know much about. I think looking at different sources to gather information is encouraged. Ethnographic research - qualitative form of data acquisition...

Anthropology Notes What does the word research mean to you? - To me research means gathering information on a topic that you don\'t know much about. I think looking at different sources to gather information is encouraged. Ethnographic research - qualitative form of data acquisition and analysis - Researcher is a sponge and are not detached - Applied work is becoming the norm and no longer the exception in the field - In anthropology long term engagement is required including living and working alongside or with people you\'re studying Culture in anthropology - a system of behaviors, language, material goods, symbols, values, and beliefs necessary for people to function as a particular social group. - The science of anthropology demonstrates how culture is not static but always in motion. - Constantly shifting, never the same Franz Boas German American father of American anthropology that created 4 field approach Cultural diffusion- asserts that cultures are in a constant process of always borrowing and mixing, rather than evolving in a linear fashion Rejected prevailing **scientific racism** by studying each culture in its own historical and environmental context which was radical for that time Cultural relativism- asserts that one must understand and interpret another culture in its own terms without imposing the observer's cultural values and biases, or their own standards of culture Scientific Racism Anthropometry was "the science if measuring human anatomy and a frequent site for racist faux-scientific theories, where physical features like chin length were used to explain social behavior His work led him to think that this was not true The origins of north American anthropology are distinctly progressive and ideas about race and gender became known and accepted to be cultural constructions rather than biological truths Anthropology is continuing to change Anthropology today is applying knowledge and skills to real world problems The four\* fields of anthropology: 1. Cultural 2. Biological 3. Linguistic 4. Archeology 5. Applied Cultural- understanding humans by documenting the meanings they make in different worlds they inhabit. Interested in how certain people think, what they value, given how they live. Biological- study the long history and immense physical variety of humans. Want to know how humans became the animals we are. Linguistic- understand humans from the ways they use language. Less concerned with grammar than with the way people communicate and how language shapes their place in the world. They analyze how language reflects but also shapes culture and cognition. Archeology- understand humans by studying the physical or material traces they leave behind. The 4 fields can overlap which is called mixed methods. Subspecialties including forensic, medical, environmental anthropologies and anthropologies of food and anthropology of tourism Bronislaw Malinowski (1884-1942) - Widely considered the father of modern fieldwork anthropology - Did extensive fieldwork in the Trobriand islands from 1914-1920 Fieldwork- living with members of another culture, learning their way of living and attempting to understand their world for a significant amount of time Cultural relativism helps anthropologists understand that all cultures are equally valid and logical. Noble savage- represents the inverse of what many people believe to be modern or civilized culture Anthropology seeks to engage in research that considers the perspectives and agency of the community being studied Agency- ability of individuals to act independently/make own decisions The field in anthropology is where people are Anthropologists study those in power to provide a holistic view of how power works. Can include studies of local and regional powerbrokers, heads of state, military regimes, multinational corporations, white supremacy Anthropology is the study of how individuals acquire and use power within societies. Fieldwork- broad term that includes research activities conducted in various settings Ethnography- a comprehensive research approach that is focused on the in-depth study of a specific culture Archeologists seek to understand the lives of people in the past and what they leave behind AAA- American Anthropological Association Concepts: What is anthropology? the study of human societies and cultures and their development The Cultural Iceberg- culture has large invisible component What is culture? the shared set of (implicit and explicit) values, ideas, concepts, and rules of behavior that allow a social group to function Enculturation- the process through which an individual learns about their own culture through exposure and influence from various external sources and forces Cultural diffusion- cultures are in a constant process of always borrowing and mixing, rather than evolving in a linear fashion Ethnocentrism- the tendency to use one\'s own culture as a frame of reference to judge other cultures, beliefs, and people Cultural relativism- anthropologists should not judge other cultures based on their own values and practices Reflexivity- the process of reflecting on oneself as a researcher, acknowledging how personal biases, experiences, and social contexts influence the research process and outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of being aware of one\'s impact on the study and the subjects involved. Applied anthropology- involves using anthropological methods and insights to address practical issues in real-world contexts, such as health, education, and community development. It often aims to solve specific problems or inform policy. Cultural anthropology- the study of cultural variation among humans, focusing on social practices, beliefs, customs, and artifacts. It seeks to understand how cultures shape human behavior and social structures. Linguistics- refers to the study of language in its social and cultural contexts. It examines how language influences communication, identity, and social interaction. Archaeology- is the study of past human societies through their material remains. It involves excavating sites, analyzing artifacts, and reconstructing historical contexts to understand cultural development and change over time. Biological anthropology- focuses on the biological and evolutionary aspects of humans. It examines human evolution, genetics, health, and the biological variations among populations. Sociolinguistics- studies the relationship between language and society, exploring how language varies and changes in different social contexts, including factors like class, ethnicity, and gender. Qualitative research- emphasizes understanding human behavior and cultural phenomena through in-depth, non-numeric data collection methods, such as interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. Quantitative research- involves systematically collecting and analyzing numerical data to identify patterns, test hypotheses, and make population generalizations. It often employs statistical techniques. Participant observation- is a research method where the anthropologist immerses themselves in a community or social setting to observe and engage with participants while collecting data about their behaviors and practices. Observation- refers to the systematic noting and recording of behaviors, events, or conditions in a particular setting. It can be either participant (involved in the activity) or non-participant (an outsider). Field notes- are detailed records kept by anthropologists during their fieldwork, documenting observations, conversations, and reflections. They serve as essential data for analysis and interpretation. Field Work + Its Limitations- primary research method in anthropology, involving direct engagement with communities and cultures. Limitations include potential researcher bias, access issues, ethical concerns, and the challenge of representing complex cultural dynamics accurately. Ethnography- is a qualitative research method that involves the detailed study of people and cultures through immersive observation and participation. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of social practices and meanings. Thick description- is a concept introduced by anthropologist Clifford Geertz, referring to a detailed account of social action that includes context, meaning, and interpretation, providing a deeper understanding of cultural phenomena. Dominant culture- refers to the prevailing culture in a society that holds power and influence, shaping norms, values, and practices that are widely accepted and promoted over others. Subculture- is a group within a larger culture that has distinct values, norms, and practices. Subcultures often arise in response to or as a divergence from the dominant culture. Noble Savage- is a concept that romanticizes indigenous peoples or those living outside of Western civilization as pure, innocent, and uncorrupted by modernity. It reflects Western fantasies about primitivism and simplicity. Holism- is an approach in anthropology that emphasizes understanding human behavior and cultural phenomena in their entirety, considering the interconnectedness of social, cultural, biological, and historical factors. b\. Agency Linguistic anthropology seeks to understand how language adapts shapes and influences behavior identity values beliefs etc. of a specific society Linguistic anthropologists generally examine language as a part of social life Eugenics is rooted in discrimination - Global connections and power inequalities have shaped the world as we see it today - Globalization and colonialism are social economic and political processes that have profound impact on culture and society - Anthropologists study these to understand how they shao human behavior, attitudes, beliefs, traditions customs etc. - Globalization is "the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa" (Steger 2013, 13). Neocolonialism is the continuation of the economic, political, and cultural dominance that characterized traditional colonialism, but without direct occupation or administration associated with colonial empires