GE6100 - Understanding The Self

LESSON 3: ANTHROPOLOGY

ANTHROPOLOGY

The investigation of the natural and social development and various people, over a significant time
span. It is the study of Anthropology aims to look at the differences and similarities of individuals.

ANTHROPOLOGISTS
Anthropologist’s aims to clarify describe and explain reality as they make test and hypothesize about
the evolution of humans.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY

Anthropology is a relatively new field of inquiry that has developed in recent times. Human
interaction started a long time ago. Reasons for contact are varies—it can be for trade or barter,
acquiring land, property, extension or power or even spreading religion. The study of Anthropology
deals with the similarities and differences of these connections.

ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
A basic tenet of anthropology, is that culture should be perceived in a vast context to comprehend the
interconnectedness and interdependence of humans. This perspective would allow people to
understand, appreciate and respect different culture.

Sub-Fields Of Anthropology
1. Physical
2. Archaeological
3. Linguistic
4. Cultural
5. Applied

1. Physical Anthropology
Sometimes referred to as Biological Anthropology which deals with the advancement, and assorted
variety of individuals. It is focused on studying fossils or remains of both human and non- humans to
understand and provide answers to the biological evolution of species. Physical anthropologists work
comprehensively on three noteworthy issues:

1. Human and nonhuman primate advancement.

2. Significance of human race and it's advancement.
3. Natural bases of human conduct.

2. Archaeology
This is focused on the study of material remains in an attempt to describe the behavior of humans.
Studies material remains in order to describe and explain human behavior.

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3. Linguistic Anthropology
Based on the word itself, this field of Anthropology aims to study different human language. It is an
attempt to give a description to a language focusing for example on the way sentences are
constructed. It aims to discover the history and evolution of language and how language is used to
convey messages in different cultural settings.

4. Cultural Anthropology
Focuses on the study various forms of human behavior, human thoughts and human feelings as
it aims to discover different patterns. It’s sub parts focuses on ethnology and ethnography.

Culture
A society’s shared and learned ideas, values, and perceptions, which are used to make sense of
experience and which generate behavior and are reflected in that culture. It is a society’s way of life.

Studying Culture by Fieldwork

Sometimes referred to as location-search whereby the method of investigating culture is by direct
participation by studying and immersing in the day to day life of the people.

Studying Culture: Ethnology

The study and analysis of various cultures from a comparative and/or historical viewpoint using
ethnographic accounts and developing anthropological principles that would aid in explaining
similarities and/or differences between groups of people.

Cultural Resource Management

A branch of archaeology connected with government strategies for the safety of cultural resources
that usually involves surveys and excavation of archaeological and/or historical sites or remains that
is a threat with the advent of structural innovations or developments.

5. Applied Anthropology
This is Anthropology in actions and is characterized by utilizing and applying different techniques and
hypothesis of Anthropology for the benefits of society.

HOW DO ANTHROPOLOGISTS DO WHAT THEY DO?

1. Anthropology as an approach to Humanities.
2. Anthropology as an approach to Science.
3. The Comparative Method.

ANTHROPOLOGY AS ONE OF THE HUMANITIES

The rounded and comparative standpoint of Anthropology has directed to many insights on human
downsides and accomplishments, flaws and magnitude that allows us to think about the shared
involvement of being human.

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ANTHROPOLOGY AS A SCIENCE
The view of Anthropology as being empirical in nature which is based on human observation of the
environment rather than relying on faith or on intuition.

Theory - A justification of natural phenomena, held by a dependable data.

Hypothesis - A cautious description of the relative connectedness between certain phenomena.

ANTHROPOLOGY’S COMPARATIVE METHOD

Utilizing the scientific methods of other scientist by offering hypothesis in order to arrive at proposed
theories. This is done by making comparisons between people examining their past and present
culture or by comparing related species through their remains or fossils.

HOW DOES ANTHROPOLOGY COMPARE TO OTHER DISCIPLINES?

Anthropology is concentrated on the interconnectedness and interdependence of human experience
in the past or present. This holistic approach enable Anthropologists to understand and deal with the
issue of Globalization.

ANTHROPOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION

Globalization speak the interconnectedness of humans in a world-wide setting. It is evidenced in
global activities related to natural resources, human employment, investment/economics, data or
information, communicable diseases, and trade properties. The forces that drive globalization
nowadays are technological in nature.

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