lecture 1

Question 1

anthropology is composed of 4 fields

Answer 1

1.) cultural (+ ethnography)
2.) biological
3.) archaeological
4.) linguistic

Question 2

What is a emic perspective

Answer 2

explain cultural practices from an insider perspective (from the participants within the culture)

Question 3

what is a etic perspective

Answer 3

explain cultural practices from an outsider perspective (observer)

Question 4

what is cultural relativism

Answer 4

not to judge cultural practices/behaviours but seek to understand/explain them within the context of the culture

Question 5

what are the 3 levels of theory?

Answer 5

HIGH
- practices/behaviours across all cultures
MIDDLE
- practices/behaviours across a broad set of contexts/circumstances
LOW
- practices/behaviours in specific context/circumstances

Question 6

T/F low level theory is more etic

Answer 6

false, high = etic, low = emic

Question 7

what is ritual?

Answer 7

stylized + repetitive enactment of words, actions and performances. sometimes associated with magic/religion

can involve 1+
- objects
- colours
- actions
- events
- places
- words

Question 8

what is magic?

Answer 8

explanatory system of causation that is more supernatural (doesn’t follow physical/naturalistic explanations). typically comes from rituals and often words at a distance without direct contact

anthro examples:
- sorcery
- witchcraft
- conjuration

Question 9

how did James George Frazer define magic

Answer 9

sympathetic magic (ethnographically observed magical practices) which can be defined by 2 principles
1.) law of similarity
2.) law of contact

Question 10

what is the law of similarity

Answer 10

cause makes wanted effect based on similar properties (similia principle)

ex.) how a brain looks similar to a walnut

Question 11

what is the law of contact

Answer 11

2 things connected remain so (action on one causes an effect on another)

ex.) the “bad luck spot” or stepping on a crack in the sidewalk having “consequences”

Question 12

Jones model of magic (explain)

Answer 12

triangle

                        LUDIC
(for entertainment and pleasure) 
          [entertainment magic]

(material interactions (special
cause/effect instruments and
relationships) powerful objects)
EMPIRIC RITUALISTIC
[Natural magic] [Instrumental magic]

Question 13

3 levels of theory related to ritual and magic

Answer 13

HIGH
magic and ritual are adjustable and adaptive responses that maintain social order and cohesion. provides people with a sense of agency over the unpredictable.
MIDDLE
witchcraft uses practices based on the concept of sympathetic magic
LOW
english witch bottles are a means of addressing the fear of witchcraft as well as the unpredictability of ailments

Question 14

what is a witch bottle

Answer 14

magical item used as protection against witchcraft (usually has urine, bent pins, nails, hair, wool, or bone in a ceramic/glass bottle)