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anthropology. An Introduction. Expected Outcomes. -Explain how anthropology was studied in the past -Explain how anthropology is studied today -Explain the importance of having a holistic picture, and why physical, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic aspects are studied
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anthropology An Introduction
Expected Outcomes • -Explain how anthropology was studied in the past • -Explain how anthropology is studied today • -Explain the importance of having a holistic picture, and why physical, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic aspects are studied • -Brainstorm some of the modern research techniques used by anthropologists
What is Anthropology? • It is the study of humanity! • How do people differ? • Why is it important to have differences? • Anthropology helps humans survive! Humanity faces a number of challenges, such as climate change, language extinction, and overpopulation, and we need more than politicians or “common-sense” to solve them!
Historically... • How were civilizations studied? • They were studied from a religious perspective. • For example, when the Native Americans were discovered, they were explained as remnants of the lost tribes of Israel. • Anthropology used to be studied by naturalists and “pseudoscientists”, and was more of a hobby • Questions that anthropologists ask are a reflection of the time period. What do you think they are asking nowadays?
Anthropology Subfields • There are 4 main subfields: • Physical • Archaeology • Cultural • Linguistics • Why is it important that we study all 4 subfields? • What does it mean to have a “holistic” picture?
1. Physical Anthropology • -also known as Evolutionary Anthropology • -focuses on the biological differences between humans, and how they came about • -studies fossils, animal evolution, primates • -studies DNA, cold-heat tolerance, disease, and population genetics
2. Archaeology • -studies the history of human populations • -relies on the written words of others...what’s the problem with this? • -studies material remains of ancient cultures • -studies civilizations up to 2.5 million years before there even was a written language! • -uses carbon dating
3. Cultural Anthropology • -studies why there are different cultures around the world • What are some cultural differences you can think of? • -studies how cultural traditions established and maintained throughout generations • -studies why most cultures are ethnocentric (they believe their way is the best and right way!) • -studies how race, religion, and ethnicity can all lead to conflict
4. Linguistics • -there are approximately 6000 languages worldwide! • -linguistics studies the how language evolved in the first place • -compares human communication with the communication systems of other living things • -studies why languages become extinct
How do you study anthropology? With a partner, make a list of all of the tools and technology you would need to study one of the followinG ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS: With a partner, make a list of all of the tools and technology you would need to study one of the followinGPRESENT-DAY CULTURES: • ANCIENT MU OR LEMURIA • ANCIENT ATLANTIS • RAMA EMPIRE OF INDIA • OSIRIAN CIVILIZATION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN • UIGER CIVILIZATION OF THE GOBI DESERT • TIAHUANACO • THE MAYANS • ANCIENT CHINA • ANCIENT GREECE • SCANDANAVIAN VIKINGS • BABYLONIANS • AZTECS • ANCIENT EGYPTIANS • ANUAK / ANYWAK OF ETHIOPIA (ETHIOPIA) • BEEMBE OF CONGO (CONGO) • RAHANWEYN OF SOMALIA (SOMALIA) • AKAWAIO OF BRAZIL (BRAZIL) • NAVAHO / NAVAJO OF AMERICA (USA) • CREE OF CANADA (CANADA) • JEWS OF IRELAND (IRELAND) • CHOPES / TORVLAKS OF ROMANIA (ROMANIA) • ASSYRIANS OF IRAQ (IRAQ) • AKHA OF THAILAND (THAILAND)