Exam 1 Flashcards
Define archaeology.
The study of humanity. I.e., what makes us different/similar, what causes these similarities and differences.
Define culture.
A learned set of beliefs, practices, and symbols.
How can you learn about different cultures?
Through conducting interviews, making observations, cultural participation and through texts and literature.
Define biological anthropology.
The study of human biological origins, evolution and variation.
What do biological anthropologists study?
- Living populations
- DNA
- Fossils
- Non human primates
What is linguistic anthropology?
The relationship btw:
- Language and culture
- Language and identity
- Language and worldview
- Document/preserve endangered languages
What is applied anthropology?
Using anthropological knowledge to solve problems.
What is applied anthropological sciences outside of academic settings?
- Mediate cultural differences
- Develop sustainable land use practices
- Develop government policy
- Provide better healthcare
What is the anthropological concepts psychic unity?
- All humans share the same basic emotional and intellectual capacities - we are a single species.
- People are people no matter where you go and when you go in time.
What is the concept of anthropological concept of plasticity?
Every human can learn and participate in any culture, learn any language, etc.
Define the concept of holistic.
It’s the theoretical perspective that views societies as a whole, rather than as the sum of their parts.
What is needed to understand holism?
Aspects including:
- biology
- religion
- economics
- demographics
- geography
What is armchair anthropology?
Making conclusions w/out firsthand knowledge.
What is an example of armchair anthropology?
- Accounts of travellers and missionaries
- Narratives from colonial perspectives of the “primitive” native peoples
What does fieldwork include?
- firsthand observation
- data collection
- travel
- interviews
- excavations
- collection genetic material
What’s is another word normative?
Perspective.
“They way things are” vs “the way things should be”.
Descriptive vs normative.
“Is” vs “ought” statements.
What is a descriptive statement?
“The way things are”.
What is a normative statement?
“The way things should be”.
Define ethnocentrism.
The tendency to view one’s culture as natural, superior, and correct.
What is/are negative features of ethnocentrism.
It hinders attempts to understand/study other cultures.
Unavoidable to some degree.
What is cultural relativism?
A concept that encourages an understanding of other cultures w/out making value judgements based on the context of ones own culture.
Thought question: does respecting cultural differences make it impossible to support human rights?
Consider these points in your response.
- Anthropologists do not argue that moral claims are impossible and supposer human rights.
- Studying/understanding is not the same as approving or excusing.
- In some cases, cultural practices might conflict with the idea of universal human rights i.e., gender equality, freedom from violence, female genital mutilation
- Anthropology tends to emphasize cultural relativism—the idea that cultural practices and beliefs should be understood within their own context rather than judged according to the standards of another culture
Define anthropology.
The study of humans, their societies, cultures, behaviours, and biological characteristics, both past and present.