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HSP 3M1 (Unit Guide) - Introduction To Anthropology
HSP 3M1 (Unit Guide) - Introduction To Anthropology
Student Subject
Name: Teacher:
Expectations: These are the things you will be learning in this unit.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS: SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS
RESEARCH AND INQUIRY SKILLS: A1.1; A1.3; A2.2; A3.4; A4.1;
RESEARCH AND INQUIRY SKILLS: A1; A3; A4
A4.2; A4.3;
Anthropology is a social science that involves the scientific study of the origin, behaviour, and
physical, social, and cultural development of human beings. Anthropologists attempt to
understand what makes us human observing living cultures and using
archaeology to study human ancestors. In this unit, you will explore the
various fields of anthropology.
Cultural Anthropology is the branch of anthropology concerned with the study of human
societies, cultures, and their development. In this section, you explore the fields of cultural
anthropology; its’ schools of thought which shape areas of research; and the research
methodologies used by cultural anthropologists.
READ pages 14-16, 18, 20-25, and 32-36, in the Unit 2 Reading Package (What is
Anthropology?).
CREATE a summary of the reading about the 3 fields of cultural anthropology. The pages your
summary should focus on are below. SUBMIT your summary with your unit work.
Cultural anthropology often results in the creation of theories. At times, these theories begin
with an interest or belief and a cultural anthropologist will look for evidence that supports their
theory. In this case, the anthropologist is part of a School of Thought which is essentially a
shared perspective.
CREATE a summary of each School of Thought of Anthropology. The pages below will help
focus your summary. SUBMIT your summary with your unit work.
CREATE a table that describes each type of research method used in cultural anthropology.
Your table must not only describe the research method but also describe its advantages and
disadvantages. The research methods you must do this for include:
Physical anthropology is interested in questions like where do we come from? How did we
evolve? What makes human beings unique? Physical anthropology, often referred to as
biological anthropology, studies the development of human beings over time.
CREATE a summary of the reading about the 3 fields of physical anthropology. The pages your
summary should focus on are below. SUBMIT your summary with your unit work.
In the following assignment, you will research and present a selected culture. This culture may
exist in the present day or maybe from a group of people from the past.
SUGGESTED CULTURES:
Konyak Tribe Masaai Tribe Bribri People Sami People
(Asia) (Africas) (Americas) (Lapland)
Minangkabau People Himba Tribe Wayuu Tribe Romani People
(Asia) (Africas) (Americas) (Europe)
Nyishi Tribe Omo People Inuit People Scottish People
(Asia) (Africas) (Americas) (Europe)
Khasi People Akan People Amish People Torres Strait Islanders
(Asia) (Africas) (Americas) (Australia)
Mosuo People Bedouin People Kānaka maol People
(Asia) (Africas) (Americas)
Or choose a culture that is personally relevant to you.
YOUR TASK: Will be to research the cultural characteristics of your chosen group of people.
You will present your culture to the class through a slide/media presentation that is no
longer than 15 minutes in length.
SUBMIT your presentation to your teacher. EACH GROUP MEMBER must submit a
copy of the presentation.
Louis & Mary Leakey had numerous followers who continued the work of
these paleoanthropologists & established the field of primatology. The
goal of Leakey’s Angels (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, & Birute Galdikas)
was to show the connections & similarities between humans & apes.
WATCH the SciShow? video “Goodall, Fossey & Galdikas: Great Minds” as a
starting point to this assignment. To access the video, go to
https://tinyurl.com/y96wolkr or SCAN the QR code.
Primatologists often examine the characteristics human beings share with primates such as
chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. Examining primates can allow us to learn about many
things such as culture. For example, in the mid-1970s, Japanese primatologist Takayoshi Kano
found that females took a central position in bonobo society. This contrasts with chimpanzees,
where females tend to spend a lot of time marginalized at the edge of the community.
WATCH the TED video “The Gentle Genius of Bonobos” which reviews Savage-
Rumbaugh's work with Bonobos Apes. Ask the question is behaviour hard-
wired or is it culturally learned? Think of your behaviours, are they biologically
ingrained or have you learned them through cultural practice? To access the
video, go to https://tinyurl.com/pon9nf7 or SCAN the QR code.
TASK: you will explain how humans share similar characteristics with chimpanzees,
gorillas, and orangutans across the required categories. Be specific in each category.
For example, in comparing physical characteristics with humans be sure to refer to
specific species of primates. Avoid general comparisons.
YOUR TASK: You will now become one of “Leaky’s Angels” by attempting to illustrate the
similarities and differences between humans and primates. Steps:
SIGN UP for your selected primates with your teacher. Your teacher will provide you
with signup instructions.
COMPLETE a comparative analysis of your two chosen primates and human beings. As
you complete the comparison, REFLECT on what makes us truly and uniquely human.
Your comparison must be completed for all specified areas (behaviour, communication,
diet, etc.)
FORMAT: The format you convey this information is up to you however, it should be
visually communicated i.e. posters, comparison charts, videos, or slide presentations.
REMEMBER you will be required to submit and share this analysis digitally.
SUBMIT your presentation to your teacher. EACH GROUP MEMBER must submit a
copy of the presentation.