 |
What is Anthropology?
The word anthropology comes from two Greek words: anthropos, which means "man" and logos which means "word." The study of anthropology therefore means the study of people. The two main branches of the discipline are cultural and physical anthropology.
Physical anthropology is concerned with the physical variations among humans, and similarities and differences between humans and other members of the animal kingdom. Heredity and the impact of environmental conditions are examined.
Cultural anthropology includes the study of human culture and how it has and continues to develop. The learned behavior of people constitutes their culture. Actions, language, things created, religious beliefs, and stories of people are examined. Linguistics (the study of language), archaeology (the study of the remains of cultures), ethnology (the study of behavior of groups of people), ethnography (the study of a specific group at a particular time), and studies in comparative religion are specialized branches of anthropology.
Zoology, anatomy, physiology, geology, and paleontology contribute to studies in anthropology.
Some of the major concepts studied by anthropologists are as follows:
acculturation
adaptation
anatomy
art
artifacts
cultural relativism
cultural universals
culture
culture trait
diffusion
enculturation
ethnicity
ethnocentrism
family
group
language
race
religion
rites
role
society
tools
tradition
trait
Anthropological concepts can be learned during a study of apples or food. Students can learn about sources, uses, and importance of foods for various cultures.
Using Anthropology With Various Topics
The study of anthropology is the study of people. The two main branches of anthropology are cultural and physical anthropology. Physical anthropology is concerned with the physical variations among humans, and similarities and differences between humans and other members of the animal kingdom. Heredity and the impact of environmental conditions are examined. Cultural anthropology includes the study of human culture and how it has and continues to develop. The learned behavior of people constitutes their culture. Actions, language, things created, religious beliefs, and stories of people are examined. Linguistics (the study of language), archaeology (the study of the remains of cultures), ethnology (the study of behavior of groups of people), ethnography (the study of a specific group at a particular time), and studies in comparative religion are specialized branches of anthropology. Zoology, anatomy, physiology, geology, and paleontology contribute to studies in anthropology.
Some of the major concepts studied by anthropologists are acculturation, adaptation, anatomy, art, artifacts, cultural relativism, cultural universals, culture, culture trait, diffusion, enculturation, ethnicity, ethnocentrism, family, group, language, race, religion, rites, role, society, tools, tradition, and trait. Anthropological concepts can be learned during a study of almost any unit topic.
Self
How are we alike and how are we different?
What have we learned as individuals in relation to language, beliefs, and stories?
Family
What traits have we inherited in our families?
What language, beliefs, and stories do our families have?
What roles, rites, traditions, and ways of learning do we have in our families?
School
How has the "culture of school" developed in our community and in others?
What languages, actions beliefs, artifacts, traits, and traditions are a part of our school and the schools of others?
How do we learn what is appropriate in the "school culture"?
Community
What physical variations exist among humans and other members of the animal kingdom in the community?
How have heredity and the environment affected the people of the community?
What languages, behaviors of groups, beliefs, artifacts, roles, and traditions are part of the community?
How are people helped to become a part of the community and how are ideas shared?
State
What physical variations exist among those within the state?
How have heredity and environment affected the cultural groups within the state?
What languages, beliefs, and traditions are a part of the state?
Regions
What physical variations exist among those within the region?
How have heredity and environment affected the cultural groups within the region and those of other regions?
What languages, beliefs, and traditions are a part of the region and of other regions?
United States
What physical variations exist among people of the nation?
How have heredity, environment, and diffusion of ideas and materials affected the cultural groups within the nation?
How do languages, beliefs, and traditions affect the actions of people in the nation?
World
What physical variations exist among people of the world?
How have physical and cultural traits been diffused among the people of the world?
How do physical and cultural traits affect world views and interactions among people of the world?
My Own Topic
|