Transcript Cultural Anthropology

Cultural
Anthropology
a brief overview
What is Cultural Anthropology?
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the study of how culture shapes human
behaviour (learned) and ideas
early 20th Century: studied non-industrial,
non-Western cultures
today: research on all cultures, in both
urban and rural settings
How do Cultural Anthropologists
Gather Information?
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research and knowledge is based on
observation
make reasonable and objective conclusions
from their data (observations)
The Importance of Objectivity
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anthropologists are NOT to impose judgements
on unfamiliar practices and ways that they
observe
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ethnocentrism: the tendency to judge other cultures by
one’s own values
cultural relativism: an attitude of respect and acceptance
for other cultures in how they have developed ways to
survive and meet the needs of their environment;
must record observations honestly, accurately, and
objectively
however…
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anthropologists don’t have to agree or
approve of practices they observe, BUT
they must strive to understand these
practices and record them honestly and
accurately
The FIVE Branches:
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archaeology: the cultural anthropology of
the past, particularly prehistoric cultures
The FIVE Branches…continued
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archaeology: the cultural anthropology of
the past, particularly prehistoric cultures
applied anthropology: the action-oriented
branch of cultural anthropology which takes
a hands-on approach to issues such as
waste disposal, pollution, and health care
anthropological linguistics: the study of
language, a specific part of culture
The FIVE Branches…continued:
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ethnology: the study and comparison of
past and contemporary cultures
ethnography: an in-depth description of a
particular culture (a case study)