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BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College) Introduction to Anthropology ANT 100 The evolution and behavior of human beings as cultural animals are the focus of this course. Students are introduced to the basic concepts and methods of the major divisions of anthropology: physical, social and cultural; archeology and linguistics. Emphasis is placed on preliterate societies to facilitate the study of the interrelation of various aspects of culture and covers the major topics and concepts that you may encounter in the course. Please note that this is just a general study guide and may not cover all of the specific material covered in your particular class. It is always a good idea to consult with your instructor and use any course materials provided to you to get the most out of your studies. I. Introduction to Anthropology โ Anthropology is the study of human culture and biology. โ There are four main subfields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology. โ Cultural anthropology studies contemporary cultures and societies. โ Physical anthropology studies human biology and evolution. โ Linguistics studies language and how it is used in society. โ Archaeology studies the material remains of past cultures. II. Culture โ Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a group or society. โ Culture is learned and passed down through socialization. โ Culture influences how people think and act. โ Culture can vary greatly from one group or society to another. III. Social and Cultural Anthropology โ Social and cultural anthropology focuses on the study of contemporary cultures and societies. โ Cultural anthropologists may use various methods to study culture, such as participant observation, interviews, and surveys. โ Cultural anthropology seeks to understand how cultural practices and beliefs shape and are shaped by social, political, and economic systems. IV. Physical Anthropology
โ Physical anthropology studies the biological aspects of human beings, including evolution, genetics, and human variation. โ Physical anthropologists may use techniques such as skeletal analysis and DNA analysis to understand human evolution and variation. V. Linguistics โ Linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure. โ Linguists study how language is used in society and how it changes over time. โ Linguistics also includes the study of language evolution and the relationships between different languages. VI. Archaeology โ Archaeology is the study of past cultures and societies through the material remains they left behind. โ Archaeologists use a variety of methods to study ancient cultures, including excavations, laboratory analysis of artifacts, and the study of written records. VII. Preliterate Societies โ Preliterate societies are societies that do not have a written language. โ Preliterate societies are often studied in anthropology to understand how various aspects of culture, such as social organization, economic systems, and beliefs and values, are interrelated. VIII. Basic Concepts and Methods in Anthropology โ Anthropologists use a variety of methods to study culture, including participant observation, interviews, surveys, and the analysis of artifacts and other material remains. โ Ethnography is the study of a specific culture or society through in-depth fieldwork. โ Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. โ Cultural relativism is the idea that cultural practices should be understood in their own context, rather than judged by the standards of another culture. IX. Applications of Anthropology
Some key elements of culture include: Beliefs : Culture includes the shared beliefs, values, and worldview of a group of people. These beliefs shape how people understand and make sense of the world around them. Customs and traditions: Culture includes the customs and traditions that a group of people follow. These may include things like religious practices, holidays and festivals, and ways of greeting and interacting with others. Behaviors: Culture shapes how people behave in different situations. This may include things like how people dress, how they speak, and how they interact with others. Artifacts : Culture includes the material objects that a group of people create and use. This may include things like art, music, literature, and technology Social and cultural anthropology is the study of contemporary cultures and societies. Cultural anthropologists may use a variety of methods to study culture, such as participant observation, interviews, and surveys. Some key concepts and areas of study in social and cultural anthropology include: Culture and society: Cultural anthropologists seek to understand how cultural practices and beliefs shape and are shaped by social, political, and economic systems. This may include studying things like family structure, religion, economics, politics, gender roles, and artistic expression. Cultural relativism: Cultural relativism is the idea that cultural practices should be understood in their own context, rather than judged by the standards of another culture. This means that cultural anthropologists aim to understand and describe a culture on its own terms, rather than imposing their own cultural values and beliefs onto the culture they are studying. Ethnography: Ethnography is the study of a specific culture or society through in-depth fieldwork. Ethnographic fieldwork involves spending an extended period of time living in and observing a particular culture, often participating in the daily activities and routines of the community.
Ethnography is a key method used in cultural anthropology to gain a deep understanding of a culture. Ethnocentrism : Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. Cultural anthropologists strive to avoid ethnocentrism and instead seek to understand and appreciate other cultures on their own terms. Physical anthropology is the study of human biology and evolution. Some key areas of study in physical anthropology include: Human evolution: Physical anthropologists study the evolution of the human species and the relationships between different human populations. This may include studying fossils and analyzing DNA to understand how the human species has changed over time. Human variation: Physical anthropologists study the biological variation that exists among different human populations. This may include studying things like physical characteristics, genetics, and disease susceptibility. Non-human primates: Physical anthropologists may also study non-human primates, such as apes and monkeys, to understand the evolution of the human species and the relationships between different primate species. Bioarchaeology: Bioarchaeology is the study of human remains from archaeological sites. Bioarchaeologists use techniques such as skeletal analysis to understand things like diet, health, and social status in past cultures. Linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure. Some key areas of study in linguistics include: Sounds of language: Linguists study the sounds of different languages, known as phonetics, and how these sounds are used to form words and communicate meaning.
Preliterate societies are societies that do not have a written language. Some key points about preliterate societies include: Definition: Preliterate societies are societies that do not have a written language. This does not necessarily mean that they are "primitive" or lack advanced technologies or complex social systems. Study of preliterate societies: The study of preliterate societies is often important in anthropology because it allows researchers to understand how various aspects of culture, such as social organization, economic systems, and beliefs and values, are interrelated. Methods of study: Anthropologists may use a variety of methods to study preliterate societies, including participant observation, interviews, and the analysis of artifacts and other material remains. Ethnography: Ethnography, or the study of a specific culture or society through in-depth fieldwork, is often used to study preliterate societies. Ethnographic fieldwork involves spending an extended period of time living in and observing a preliterate society, often participating in the daily activities and routines of the community. Limitations: It is important to note that the study of preliterate societies has its limitations. For example, preliterate societies may not have written records, which means that researchers must rely on other methods to understand their culture and history. Additionally, the study of preliterate societies can be influenced by the biases and perspectives of the researchers, so it is important to be aware of these potential limitations. Some key concepts and methods used in anthropology include: Participant observation: Participant observation is a method used in anthropology in which the researcher becomes an active participant in the culture or society being studied. The researcher may live in the community and participate in daily activities and routines, while also observing and taking notes on cultural practices and beliefs.
Interviews: Anthropologists may use interviews to gather information about a culture or society. This may include structured interviews, in which the researcher asks a set of predetermined questions, or unstructured interviews, in which the conversation is more open-ended and the researcher follows the interests of the interviewee. Surveys : Surveys are a method of gathering information from a large number of people using a standardized questionnaire. Surveys may be used to gather demographic information or to ask questions about attitudes and beliefs. Artifact analysis: Anthropologists may study artifacts, such as tools, weapons, and pottery, to understand the culture and history of a society. This may include analyzing the materials used to make the artifact, the techniques used to create it, and the context in which it was found. Ethnography: Ethnography is the study of a specific culture or society through in-depth fieldwork. Ethnographic fieldwork involves spending an extended period of time living in and observing a particular culture, often participating in the daily activities and routines of the community. Ethnocentrism: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. Anthropologists strive to avoid ethnocentrism and instead seek to understand and appreciate other cultures on their own terms. Cultural relativism: Cultural relativism is the idea that cultural practices should be understood in their own context, rather than judged by the standards of another culture. This means that anthropologists aim to understand and describe a culture on its own terms, rather than imposing their own cultural values and beliefs onto the culture they are studying. Anthropology also has a wide range of practical applications in fields such as cultural preservation, public health, international development, and conflict resolution. Some specific examples of the applications of anthropology include:
