Grade 11, University & College Preparation (Course Code: HSP 3M)
Author of Course: Kevin Leung, O.S.
Authors of Text: Colin M. Bain/Jill S. Colyer - The Human Way
UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Chapter 2.3 Notes Anthropology's Development
Three types of anthropology
1) Cultural - analyzes culture of living peoples
2) Social - analyzes social organization of living peoples
3) Physical - analyzes human evolutionary and genetic development
Culture: beliefs and behaviours that are transmitted from generation to generation
Three major elements: 3A's
1) Assets possessed - a car, a house, etc.
2) Acceptable attitudes - "everyone's cool, there are no losers"
3) Acceptable behaviour - exercising table manner when dining
Anthropological Concepts
Ethnographic studies: studies of the culture and traditions of distinct peoples
- implies that culture is static and clearly defined
- However, culture changes over time and there are many grey areas (gays, drink & drive, etc)
Myths: stories that explain the origins of the world and of human beings; recount the lives of cultural heroes and beings with supernatural powers.
Kinship: relationships among members of a social group that are based on members' descent from common ancestors. MOST COMMON SYSTEM - THE FAMILY (egs. p.31-32)
Difference between sociology and anthropology
- originally differed in the area of study (industrialized vs. non-industrialized people)
- now different in the methods used
- anthropologists rely on participant observation: living with the people being studied in order to understand how they believe their culture and society work.
Famous Anthropologists
- youngest of all disciplines (20th century), mostly Americans, mostly females
Margaret Mead (1901-1978)
- famous cultural anthropologist who compared Samoa and America; studied adolescence
- concluded that personalities are largely influenced by the society in which one lives in
- examined gender roles in different cultures
- accused of using sloppy methods, works exaggerated
Ruth Benedict (1887-1948)
- American who studied role of religion in developing and shaping human personality
- worked mostly with Aboriginals
- culture was "personality writ large" - a sum of all personality types of its people
Bronislaw Malinowski (1884-1942)
- Polish, founder of social anthropology, worked with people of New Guinea/islands in S. Pacific
- functional theory: all social institutions are designed and modified to serve the needs of most of the population
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