Introduction to Anthropology HSB4U

Introduction to Anthropolog y HSB4U Learning Goals Describe what anthropologists' study Describe the three major schools of thought in anthropology (functionalism, structuralism and cultural materialism) with references to their typical questions and approaches. Identify ways in which we can...

Introduction to Anthropolog y HSB4U Learning Goals Describe what anthropologists' study Describe the three major schools of thought in anthropology (functionalism, structuralism and cultural materialism) with references to their typical questions and approaches. Identify ways in which we can apply anthropology to our culture Analyze an image from the three major schools of thought What do Anthropologists Study? Culture and cultural comparisons ○How are cultures of the world different or similar? ○What practices exist in various cultures around the world? ○What understanding can we gain about other cultures as well as our own? 3 Types of Anthropology 1.Cultural Anthropology Examines and compares living cultures and peoples Looks at material objects, acceptable norms and behaviours. 2. Social Anthropology Examines the social organization of living peoples. (Kinship, parentage, ancestry) 3. Physical Anthropology Studies the evolution of humans Related to the sciences such as biology and genetics Activity On this timeline, identify as many rituals in your culture that identify the passage from childhood to adulthood.  How do schools transmit culture? How can a lack of knowledge about culture affect a student at school? For Class example, imagine you are someone Discussion who has just arrived in Canada and showed up to your first day of grade 9 Canadian geography. Urban Anthropology Watch the clip. – click Question: What things would be interesting to anthropologists? Three Anthropological Theories Structuralism A theoretical perspective in the social sciences that seeks to uncover the deep, underlying structures and patterns that shape human thought, behavior, and social institutions. Structuralists o All cultures develop complex rules about where items are good and where they are bad. o The set of rules is different in each culture. o Structuralist believe that anthropologists must seek out and explain these rules. Structuralism Period: 1940-1970 Typical Questions: What are the principles governing how the mind works? How are those principles reflected in human cultures? Structuralism Structural anthropology was pioneered by the French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, who sought to uncover the universal structures and logical relationships that underlie diverse cultural phenomena. Structural anthropology emphasizes the study of cultural systems, such as kinship, language, and myth, as interconnected and interdependent parts of a larger, overarching structure. The structural approach to ethnography and ethnology focuses on identifying the underlying patterns and logical relationships  Structuralism Structural analysis of myth and religious doctrine examines the ways in which these cultural forms reflect and perpetuate the deep, universal structures of human thought and social organization. Binary Opposites According to structuralists, the human mind functions on the principles of binary opposites. Humans tend to see things in terms of two forces that are opposite to each other. Some examples are: Night and day Raw and cooked Good and evil These binary opposites are defined in a particular culture in a way that is logical to its members Example We see the opposition of law and order in our justice system. The American and Canadian justice system has a strong focus on crime and punishment versus crime and rehabilitation. Functionalism Functionalism Period: 1930-1960 Typical Questions: What purpose does this institution serve? How does the institution contribute to social stability? All aspects of a society—institutions, roles, norms, etc.—serve a purpose and that all are indispensable for the long-term survival of the society Functionalism 1.Society as a System: Societies are complex systems of interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability. 2.Consensus and Social Order: Social order results from a consensus or shared norms and values amongst individuals. 3.Functional Necessity: Each part of the society, whether an institution or role, fulfills a necessary function contributing to society’s overall stability. Functionalism oAccording to functionalist, all cultures are set up to deal with the universal problems that societies face. o These problems are all connected with trying to meet either a physical or psychological need. o Every custom or practice in a culture serves a purpose, particularly in providing stability. o Established laws, practices, and customs within a society can be called institutions. Example We need skilled workers in society, so we have a public education system to meet that need. Functionalism oAt the core of functionalism is a belief that society itself is a logical institution that functions in the best interest of the majority. o Functionalists believe that the role of anthropologists is to explain, not to judge. Cultural Materialism Cultural Materialism Period: 1970-present Central Approach: To understand a culture, you must examine members’ reproduction and economic production Typical Questions: How do population and economic factors influence culture? What laws of development apply to all cultures? Cultural Materialism o According to cultural materialists, technological and economic factors are the most important ones in moulding society. This theory is known as materialism. o Cultural materialists also believe in a theory called determinism, which says that the types of technology and economic methods that are adopted always determine the type of society that develops. Marvin Harris (1927-2001) Cultural Materialist o Argued that material factors are at the starting point to understanding a culture.(Society’s infrastructure) o These material factors include the ways in which goods are produced, and the methods used to reproduce the population at what is considered an appropriate rate. o The infrastructure determines a society’s structure (social classes, distribution of wealth) and its superstructure (music, recreation and the arts). Example Cows in India are sacred. In Canada cows, are a source of food. In India, cows were invaluable animals used to work the fields. When infrastructure changed (the introduction of agriculture), society also changed to value cows as an important animal culturally. They became revered. However, in Western cultures, since cows were a source of food, we do not place the same value on cows.. Functionalism: how does this Structuralism: What respond to a need binary opposite in society? might a church portray? What infrastructure (economy, demographics, Explain the following image by technology) might responding to these 3 questions this respond to?.  Read the article linked here. Also located in HUB Pick 1 of the Activity anthropological theories. How would that theory explain the differences in views on marriage?