Intro to Anthropology HSP 3M

‘The purpose of Anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences’ Ruth Benedict (1887 – 1948)

What is Anthropology? Anthropologists study humanity through their cultures – past and present. A common misconception is that anthropologists only deal with digging into the past (this is actually archaeology)

Anthropology is comprised of four main areas: 1.linguistic anthropology, 2.cultural anthropology, 3.archaeology, and 4.biological or physical anthropology. Each type studies different aspects of people and their respective cultures.

Linguistic Deals with language and communication similarities and variation, including ‘doomed’ or extinct languages.

Cultural Examines cultural variations, with a focus on proving that culture is a part of our human nature.

Archaeology Explores ancient cultures by discovering, recovering, and examining architecture, documents, remains, and other pertinent findings.

Biological/Physical Studies evolution, genetic variation, and inheritance, adaptability using both the fossil record and modern day genetic research.

In addition, Anthropology explores social phenomena, but from a cultural perspective (as opposed to an individual one, like psychology and sometimes sociology). Anthropologists often research how cultures begin, develop, survive, and thrive.

Also …. Anthropologists pose important questions concerning the continuation of poverty, racism, violence, and social inequality around the world

Questions... Anthropologists also ask questions such as: why do humans have such different ways of living, thinking, and acting? why do gender differences exist?, how does technology influence cultures?, and what is the impact of our ever-expanding global village?

Culture The Latin translation of culture (cultura) is “to cultivate”, whereas the dictionary.com definition for culture is “the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.” (Dictionary.com) From this second definition, you can see that culture necessarily needs certain aspects.

Let’s see if you can determine for yourself what aspects are needed. Jot down a list of the necessary elements culture must have in order to meet the definition’s needs. What did you come up with? what matters most is that you recognize that even seemingly simple terms contain a great deal of complexity, especially when examining them through the social sciences.

Answer More than one individual, multiple aspects, multiple generations, change, shared information, commonalities, intentional, amoral, cohesive, successful

Transmitters We learn a lot about cultures through transmitters Transmitters paint a picture and help inform us about aspects of various world cultures Examples of transmitters: Music Food Language Religion Fashion Holidays

Discussion What are some transmitters of your culture? Take a few minutes and write down some down

Culture Shock Culture shock is an actual social sciences term. Anthropologist Kalevro Oberg coined the term to describe those feelings that often occur when people go to different cultural or social environments (like travelling to a foreign country).

Kalevro Oberg – Culture Shock Oberg argued culture shock stemmed from the difficulties in adapting to an environment different from the one you grew up in, as well as the unlikelihood that you would ever become fully assimilated into said culture. Culture shock also stems from kinship (descendents who live together, coming from common ancestors). Culture shock’s duration and severity varies from individual to individual.

Writing Task Describe a time in your life when you experienced Culture Shock. Try to remember the feelings you had when you first came to Canada, or visited a new place for the first time. Write a 1-page composition that describes your experience with Culture Shock. Make sure you cite specific examples of experiences that made you feel strange in your new surroundings

Myth Making 101 Myths are stories that explain how and why the world (including humans) was created, how and why things exist as they are and how and what things might become. Long before writing existed, myths were told orally as a means of ensuring cultural continuance; myths transmitted the culture’s values, morals, beliefs, and lessons.

Required Reading Take a moment to read some myths from different cultures.