Wednesday 1-16.doc

Wednesday 1/16/08- Chapter 1 Anthropology is the study of the human species and its immediate ancestors Holistic- encompasses anything from any field if it could tell us about humans Bicultural- interaction between and impact of biology and culture. Focuses on the way they both can work together Comparative- try to find universal truths and similarities in cultures worldwide Studies people today, worldwide, people 100s of years ago worldwide and people 1,000,000s of years ago and primates worldwide. Beginnings- in 1880s The upper-middle class white males began to study dying Native American tribes as they began disappearing. They tried to look into everything about the Natives but they did it in a very egocentric manner, always looking down on the Native Americans as an inferior people. Ethics of Anthropology has changed over years. Founded by Franz Boaz. Anthropology has 4 Subfields 1. Biological or Physical 2. Archaeological 3. Linguistic 4. Cultural America is the only country to have this breakdown of Anthropology. Biological Study of human biological diversity through time and space. Paleoanthropology ? ?old human study?- the study of human evolution using the hominid fossil record. Lucy is in Houston- second time ever left Ethiopia- is the most complete fossil of that age Primatology- the study of the biology and behavior of nonhuman primates Chimpanzees, bush babies, monkeys, lemurs, etc Bioarchaeology- Study of human remains from archeological sites. Ask same questions as cultural anthropologists, but they cannot interview so they look at anatomy instead. Human variation- how are we different? How are we the same? Are we moving? How do we get there? Molecular Anthropology The study, using modern molecular genetics, to investigate the origin, relationships, history, structure, and migration patterns of human populations. ? this science is still in its infancy and we are still learning new techniques and developing new technology. Forensic Anthropology- Applied Anthropology The application of anthropological and skeletal biological principles to medico-legal issues. Mass fatalities, incomplete bodies, bones, etc. Applications of anthropological data, perspectives, theory, and methods to identify, assess, and solve contemporary social problems Medical Anthropology- the study of disease, health problems, health care systems, and theories about illness in different cultures and ethnic groups. *finish*Physical Anthropology- looking at bodies Archaeology Study of human behavior and cultural patterns through material remains. Paleolithic archaeology- prehistoric- know nothing about it except what we find in the dirt Historical archaeology- studies newer things, not a very old field Nautical archaeology- studies underwater things, ships mostly. Geoarchaeology- the study of site formation processes to determine the best locations for locating *finish* sites Ethnobotany- the study of plant remains and their potential uses by people Zooarchaeology- study of animal remains at an archaeological site. Cultural Resource Management (CRM) - Applied Anthropology Our government realizes the value of culture. So, whenever things are built, archaeologists do surveys to protect anything historically and culturally valuable. Linguistic Anthropology Study of linguistic variation in its social and cultural context across space and time Cultural Anthropology Study of human society and culture Describes, analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural similarities and differences. Ethnography Ethnology - field work in a particular - the theoretical, comparative culture study of society and culture in time - participant observation- do both and space. Anthropology Study of human biological diversity in time and spice Holistic The 4 Subfields Biocultural Biological Comparative Archaeological Scientific Linguistic Humanistic Cultural Interdisciplinary Tools and perspective to interact with those from other cultures, respectfully and with comfort. Better understand diversity Read Chapter 2