Cultural anthropology

The article by Clifford Geertz of “Common Sense as a Cultural System” causes a reader to understand and re-evaluate what for most is a simple thought process in which many people have to react to a given situation. Clifford Geertz takes this principle of human consciousness and researches the deeper understanding of this social construct. Geertz uses many examples to demonstrate the relevance of common sense, one of the main examples he uses to explore common sense is through the use of an…

extinct, every culture that disappears, diminishes a possibility of life” (162). All cultures around the world teach us that different ways of understanding and interacting with our environment exist and that no one way is superior than the other. Cultural diversity in society exposes people to different ways of thinking and makes the world a more exciting place to live. When judging groups of people within another culture based on our own standards and beliefs, that culture is misunderstood and…

While doing researchers, many anthropologists use the tool of ethnographic fieldwork. Instead viewing a culture from a bird's eye perspective, anthropologists insert themselves into the culture they wish to study. This is known as participant observation. However, when entering an unfamiliar culture and encountering unknown people, anthropologists first have to gain the trust of the people around them to learn about their lives. This is called creating rapport. In both The Spirit Catches You and…

cultures define art, and what purposes does art serve? Use any type of art which you would like to explain the anthropological perspective on art. Be sure to refer to some key concepts discussed in the class lectures related to art. Part B: The anthropology of art does not treat such artifacts as “exotic objects,” but instead examines them for the roles they play in people’s lives. According to the class lecture, how were exotic “artificial curiosities” the antithesis of an anthropological…

Amanda Barbato Professor Martinez ANTH 2410 8am TR 24 November 2015 Film Response 4 In Cultural Anthropology: Appreciating cultural diversity textbook written by Conrad Kottak, he discusses globalization and the effects it has on today’s societies. While there are positive and negative aspects of every advancement in technology/society, globalization remains a discussion that people are in debate over. Through observations in the media and advancements in technology, globalization is impacting…

Throughout my education in anthropology numerous theories and practices have aided in formulating my future endeavors. Knowledge in the four sub-fields of anthropology strengthened my understanding of multidisciplinary concepts. Anthropology, as the study of human beings has contributed to my comprehension on the importance of collaboration. With my degree in cultural anthropology, I hope to work in community outreach. This essay will discuss the anthropological concepts of: cultural relativism,…

modern anthropology”, Franz Boas is best known for establishing the area of cultural anthropology. Having possessed a scientific background with a doctorate in physics, he was one of the first scientists of his day to question the beliefs behind social Darwinism and scientific racism, and try to come to an understanding regarding the differences among people and their cultures. Boas dedicated his life to the study of anthropology, and he used his knowledge and drive to establish anthropology at…

Anthropology is the study of what makes us human and helps us further understand each other in a way for us to continue to coexist in the world. American anthropology is generally divided into four main sub fields that each serve an important purpose. They have different skills involved but have some similarities to them. Anthropologists take a far-reaching approach to comprehending the many altered aspects of the human experience, which we call holism. Through archaeologic anthropology, they…

countries culturally. This relates to the etic method and its concepts and how ideas are studied through an outsider point of view. The fish is studying the outside and not really looking on this inside of its “culture.” The emic method is one where the cultural studies are defined in terms of an individual who lives within a culture which is opposite of what Kluckholn is saying about the fish. The fish is unaware of its own surroundings which limits the fish’s ability to embrace its customs and…

aspects of the human condition to explain in its totality, yet its existence is thought to be one of the most fundamental parts of being human. The study of emotion has taken many forms, shifting the focus from facial expression, to language, to cultural history and beyond, varying not from discipline to discipline, but also from person to person. Strictly speaking, though the vague idea of emotion as a conscious experience of feelings resulting from situations and producing actions is generally…