A Step Into Anthropology

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of humans and human diversity. Anthropology provides knowledge to people to help understand the different cultures and diveristy that exist in our world.

How it started?

The inception of Anthropology dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. This was due to European colonial espansion in which contact between Europeans and the rest of the world had increased. Through these connections both sides were introduced to one another's culture. Since then, anthropologists have applied knowledge of other peoples culture and life to help solve issues that are effecting humanity.

What Anthropologists do?

Some of the many things anthropologists consists of stidying the transmission of diseases, promote diversity training in big companies study human origins, and help develope the economies of underdeveloped countries. Anthropology is crucial when it comes to helping people move away from practices of ethnocentricism, judgement, and racism. Anthropologist research structures of power and how indiviuals play a role in determining their own lives.

How Anthropologists work?

Anthropologists start their work in a local setting, to understand the patterns of the daily lives of those people, and to find the connections between a particular culture and the rest of the world. The main method of work, is called "ethnographic fieldwork", in which an anthropologist live with the people of a community for a period of time to better understand their lives.

Margaret Mead: An American anthropologist

Margaret Mead:
Margaret Mead was an American anthropologist. She is known for examining teen sexuality in Coming of Age in Samoa.

Did You Know?

  • The word anthropology stems from the greek word anthropos which means "human" and "logos" which is associated with ("thought", "reason", or "study").

  • Holism:

    The anthropological commitment to consider the full scope of human life, including culture, biology, history, and language, across space and time.

    Example


    Human development, whether as individuals or as a group, is holistic. Over the course of time, the people we become is influenced by our interaction with the environment, such as others we associate with, the place we live in, the culture we are born into, and decisions that the environment may force upon us or we force on ourselves. Therefore, it is important to note and respect the upbringing of others, as we are born into different environments, and become different people.

  • Globalization:

    The worldwide intensification of interactions and increased movement of money, people, goods, and ideas within and across national borders.

    Example


    One example of the effects of globalization is the high population of Cape Verdean immigrants. Interestingly, there are more Cape Verdeans who live outside of Cape Verde than the entire population of Cape verde; this has been made possible through advancement in technologies that have permitted the increase in immigration of Cape Verdeans to many parts of the world. As a result, many Cape Verdeans work hard in countries like the US and send money, clothes, presents, and provide jobs by building houses and starting business back home.