...Writing Assignment #3 Many people believe that fossils can be found about anywhere in the world, but there are certain locations where they can be located. Charles Darwin proposed that humans probably arose in Africa, and was explained thoughtfully in his book The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex. He believed that Africa was the most likely place to find fossils because our “early progenitors” lived on the African continent (pg. 90). Apes adopted the tropical climate, and he believed that humans were more alike with African apes, than Asian apes. As it came to happen, some of the biggest discovers would be found in Africa. With new discovers, it is quite intriguing to come upon something new, that perhaps the world has never seen before. Owen Lovejoy helped discover why Ardipithecus ramidus is so unusual, which represents the transition from tree dwelling to ground dwelling. He had lots of evidence to prove that this new structure was seen in Ardi, which was a new body plan. He discovered that Ardi’s hands fit together in a way that allowed the hand to bend far backward at the wrist, If lovejoy is right, this means that Ardi never went through a knuckle-walking stage like experts believed she did(pg. 92). He also pointed that Ardi’s pelvic blades, were shorter and broader than apes, which would let her balance on one leg while walking upright. Lovejoy also claims that she had an opposable big toe, which meant she was able to grasp branches, suggesting she spent...
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...Guided Reading Form: Reading Response You will need more space to answer these questions adequately so take as much as you need. Please type your answers. 1. Summarize the general argument of the reading: a. What is the overall claim of the article/chapters? The overall claim of this article is that it shows us how a society can speak for itself through the various cultural and ritual events that take’s place. The importance of understanding peoples culture and their rituals is what anthropologists try to seek out. Through Balinese cockfighting only were they able to better understand how such an event can be used to show case culture and societies values. The association between an animal and man showed that more prestige was given to the more powerful one and thereby increasing male status in the village. b. What kinds of evidence does the author base this claim on? What are the anthropological methods used to collect this evidence? Geertz uses a mixture of research methods in his ethnography, predominantly employing long-term participant observation and supports this participant observation method with the inclusion of historical and literary research, and cross-cultural comparison. Anthropological methods such as interviewing along with the use of ethnographic realism which aims to define accurate and objective methods that accounts the different ways of life from first hand observations and experience. Other ethnographic...
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...Chapter 1. introduction to physical anthropology Adaptation – An anatomical, physiological or behavioral response of organisms or populations to the environment. Anthropology – The study of human culture and evolutionary aspects of human biology that includes: cultural, archeology and physical or biological anthropology. Applied anthropology – the practical application of anthropological and archeological theories and techniques. Artifacts – Objects or materials made or modified for use by modern humans and their ancestors. Biocultural evolution – The mutual interactive evolution of human biology and culture. The concept that biology makes culture further influences the direction of biological evolution. Bipedally – on two feet walking habitually on 2 legs. Culture – behavioral aspects of adaptation including technology, traditions, language religion, marriage. Data – Facts from which conclusions can be drawn scientific information. Empirical – relying on experiment or observation. Ethnographies – Detailed descriptive studies of human societies – ugsaatnii zui Ethnocentrism – Viewing other cultures from the inherently biased perspective of one’s own culture – undestnii deerengui uzel Evolution – A change in the genetic structure of a population. The term is also frequently used to refer to the appearance of a new species. Forensic anthropology – An applied anthropological approach that deals with legal matters. Forensic anthropologists work with coroners, police...
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...Due date: Due in tutorial This assignment is worth 10% of your final mark. OBJECTIVE The objective of this assignment is to develop your critical thinking skills in evaluating a popular news article about human evolution and/or human biological diversity. News article: Skinny Genes: Could Heredity Raise Your Vulnerability to 'Be-Thin' Pressure? http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/10/03/skinny-genes-could-heredity-raise-your-vulnerability-to-be-thin-pressure 1. Critical evaluation of the news article. Critically evaluate the news article. Here are some questions to consider: Why do you think this scholarly research was picked up by the media and published in a popular news venue? Does this article stir up controversy or do you think it confirms biases that already exist within the general public? How good a job does the journalist do in conveying scientific ideas to a general audience? (~350 words) 2. Comparison of news article to original journal article. Locate the original journal article that the news story was based on and compare the news article to the journal article. How similar are they? What are the differences? Did the journalist choose to accentuate or ignore certain results of the study? Are there inaccuracies in the reporting of the original study or the science? (~400 words) Assignment specifics: Total Length – 3 pages (~750 words), not including the required cover page and reference page. Format...
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...Key Questions in ANT1CAG 1.What can anthropology offer to help understand global issues and problems? 2.How can anthropology contribute in our attempt to make sense of things that happen in or affect our everyday lives? 3.How do anthropologists think through things and how do they explain things? Emotional Knowledge Thinking and Feeling, Mind and Heart Anthropological Imagination What’s special about anthropology? ANTHROPOLOGY Clyde Kluckhohn ( Mirror for Man, 1944:16): “Ordinarily we are unaware of the special lens through which we look at life. It would hardly be fish who discovered the existence of water. Students who had not yet gone beyond the horizon of their own society could not be expected to perceive custom which was the stuff of their own thinking. Anthropology holds up a great mirror to man and lets him look at himself in this infinite variety” Anthropology subfields. -biological/physical – archeology –Linguistics – Social/Cultural Ethnology –comparative study of cultures or people Ethnography – a systematic study of a culture or people. History of Anthropology - Herodotus = father of anthropology? Age of Discovery (16th and 17th century) - Xuanzang (7th century chinese) - xuanzang said that the Indians were very clean, why has that changed? Ethnocentrism: evaluating other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of ones own culture. Edward Tylor –(1832 – 1917) 1st professor...
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...The piece presented on intercultural relations tries to find the correlation between our ethnic background and interaction we have among other ethnic groups. While their findings are compelling, they are not surprising to find. While this article aims place some light on the issue of diversity and its function, it shows us a whole new different reality on ethnicity and race. Let us tackle diversity first. Diversity is merely a positive way to interact with other cultures; it is a form in which explores cultures at a surface level, while the predominant society places their own way of life on a pedestal. Multiculturalism it is called and it is greatly applauded by universities and many grassroots organizations. When this practice is looked at closely, it is the most racist practice out there. In a subtle manner, the predominant society celebrates an ethnic culture but treats it in an exotic manner. The predominant society treats the ethnic group no different than the hunter who captures a rare breed of tiger. The hunter will celebrate the strength and rarity of the tiger, but it will assure the crowd and the tiger that he is in control, by keeping him in a cage. The predominant society creates holidays which celebrates different ethnic groups, but while this is done a cultural hegemony is at hand. A system in which the current system places politics, religion, and economics to justify everything they do. The predominant society uses these components to create a cage in which...
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...Problem Set – June 11th 1. How does our spatial representation of time constitute an element of consciousness? Jaynes outlines six essential features to consciousness in modern humans. The first is spatialization. This describes the ability to metaphorically construct abstract concepts in a spatial map. For example, think about human history from about 1000 AD to today. How did you conceive of this concept? Did you see a timeline running left to right, with bullet points for the Norman Conquest (AD 1066), Columbus’ landing in Central America (AD 1492), The American Revolution (AD 1776), and so on? Why should time need to run from left to right? Another example using time is how we conceive of short periods of time. If you’ve ever worn an analog watch, you most likely have once thought of a certain period of time in terms of a spatial block measured by the distance the hands on your watch travel. 2. What does Jaynes mean by excerptation? The second element to consciousness is excerptation. This is the ability to recall selected descriptive elements of a particular concept relevant to our experience. For example, if I ask you to think of an amusement park, you may first think of a Ferris wheel, a dart game you were good at, or maybe the shady looking carny who once stood in front of the balloon targets in order to prevent you from winning the good prizes. In all these cases, you are taking an excerpt from the total experience as representative of the whole. ...
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...J Anthropology Article #2 "Eating Christmas in Kalahari" This article confused me, to a point where I was kind of shocked at the time I finished this. At first, I thought the way the !Kung Bushmen people function in their society was quite odd. To think that they would criticize a fellow hunter about his kill and make him feel unappreciated? Was this a sign of ignorance? Or even jealousy for not being the hunter thats able to claim such a trophy? All throughout the article I was puzzled on how Robert Lee was criticized and bashed for his choice of an offering for these people during their Christmas tradition. I thought they were being disrespectful to him because it was "their" tradition and this was their way of not welcoming him to share this with them. As I kept reading I came to find that I was extremely far off on my judgement of these people. Yes, I thought they were rude and disrespectful for not being appreciative of ones generosity, but, I had come to realize that this was "their" way of life. this was "their" custom. I was stunned to know that they acted this way to keep the peace in society and to not allow one another to boast or brag. They did this to not allow one to think that because of his contribution he was higher and more of a "king" or "lord" than another when they are all the same regardless of who does what. They believe that this is the way of keeping peace and equality in all men and that no one is greater than another because in the end they...
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...Dr. Brook Anthropology 5 March 2012 Midterm 1 Espinal 1 Part A (2) Participant observation, for many years, has been a hallmark anthropological study. In recent years, the field of education has seen an increase in the number of qualitative studies that include participant observation as a way to collect information. Qualitative methods of data collection, such as interviewing, observation, and document analysis, have been included under the umbrella term of "ethnographic methods" in recent years Aspects of observation discussed herein include various definitions of participant observation, some history of its use, the purposes for which such observation is used, the stances or roles of the observer, and additional information about when, what, and how to observe It is also a structured type of research strategy. It is a widely used methodology in many disciplines, particularly, cultural anthropology. Its aim is to gain a close and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals (such cultural group, or a particular community) and their practices through an intensive involvement with people in their natural environment, usually over an extended period of time. Observation methods are useful to anthropologists in a variety of ways. They provide researchers with ways to check for nonverbal expression of feelings, determine who interacts with whom, grasp how participants communicate with each other, and check...
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...Cultural Anthropology Fall, 2014 Study Guide for Midterm Exam PART I: In-Class Component (10 points each, 100 points total) Directions The instructor will put on the in-class portion of the exam a number of terms, names, and concepts drawn from the following list. The student will pick ten (10) and answer in a short I.D./short answer format. Although your answers should be concise, they should be complete enough to convince the instructor that you thoroughly understand the course material. Where applicable, use examples or illustrations. Each student is permitted to have one 8” x 5” handwritten note card during the exam. Frank Boas scientific method “Creation Science” theory hypothesis Karl Marx Charles Darwin Frederick Engels Origin of the Species Jared Diamond “social Darwinism” Margaret Mead natural selection Yehudi Cohen zoological taxonomy Anthropology vs. Sociology taxon ethnographic methodologies Paleolithic genealogical method Mesolithic interviewing techniques Neolithic key cultural consultants agricultural revolution in Neolithic longitudinal research human zoological taxonomy annual cycle what primates have in common why anthropologists should spend more than one annual cycle primates “ivory tower” approach differences between humans and other primates “advocacy” approach Homininoids Homo sapiens American Anthropological Association ...
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...1. Difference between ethnography and ethnology. ethnography Field work in a particular culture. ethnology Cross-cultural comparison; the comparative study of ethnographic data, of society, and of culture. Ethnography is a field of anthropological research based on direct observation of and reporting on a people’s way of life. Cultural groups, such as communities, tribes, or dialect groups. However, classes or institutions within complex urban societies are also subjects of study. Ethnography consists of two phases: the process of observing and recording data, usually called fieldwork, followed by the preparation of a written description and analysis of the subject under study. Originally, ethnographic studies often included random anecdotes and facts about so-called primitive peoples whose way of life was thought to be disappearing. As the field of anthropology became more professional, however, ethnography became more systematic, and ethnographers attempted to interrelate the various aspects of a way of life. In recent years ethnography has become more specialized. Sometimes it involves studying small segments of large societies or focuses on specific, practical, or theoretical problems in anthropology. In conducting an ethnographic study, an anthropologist usually visits or lives for an extended period of time in a society that is not his or her own. The ethnographer’s research can then be used to test social scientific propositions, to add to the body of literature...
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...Trevor Gilliam Dr. Jim Merryman ANT 101 Nacirema Essay 7 June 2012 The origin of the Nacirema is unknown but the tradition states that the culture migrated from the east but not all from the same location and not all at the same time. The geography of the land of the Nacirema is very mixed. There are large areas of cold, snowy terrain as well as locations that seem to get rain daily. A desert inhabits part of the territory and a large river serves as a geographical landmark. Strangely, the people of Nacirema have not settled all of their territories equally and instead choose to live very close together in organized villages called Seitic. The Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed economy that has produced extreme wealth. The Nacirema are weirdly possessed with a demon that drives them to spend most of their time and efforts to collect certain material goods. Even though most of the people's time is dedicated to the economic hunts, a large part of the labors and a significant portion of the day are spent in ceremonial activity. The main focus of this activity is the human body, the appearance and health of which appears as a major concern in the character of the people. By worshipping their deities, many of the Nacirema confront and may even cause large social problems throughout the civilization. Nacirema culture is unique in that it has many different forms of worship and though these forms are all accepted by most, the moral problems...
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...CHAPTER 2 Multi-Bonding: Polygamy, Polygyny, Polyamory Defining and Identifying Multi-bonding Non-monogamous relationships can take any number of forms, including, but not limited to, serial pair-bonding (known most frequently as serial monogamy), polygamy, polyandry, communal living, and “open” pair-bondings, where sexual or sexual-emotional relationships outside of the primary one are tolerated to a greater or lesser degree (cf. Robinson, 1997). Polygyny has been defined as “the marriage of a man to two or more women at the same time” (Moorehead, 1991: 311), or the “practice of plural marriage” (Altman and Ginat, 1996: 3). The term polygamy has also been used synonymously with polygyny, although it could also be used to encompass polyandry (Welch and Glick, 1981). Polyandry refers to the marriage of one woman to two or more husbands, while polygynandry contemplates a situation in which two or more women are simultaneously married to two or more men (Al-Krenawi, Graham, and Slonim-Nevo, 2002). Polygynandry has also been used to refer to group marriage (Anon., 2004). The term informal polygamy has been used to describe relationships characterized by the simultaneous existence of a legal marriage of one man to one woman and an affair with a second woman that has become a stable feature of the family structure (Rivett and Street, 1993). In contrast, polyamory refers to “group marriage” or the existence of one or more sexual 27 28 • Multi-Bonding: Polygamy, Polygyny,...
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...Anthro 150 Extra Credit Assignment Archeological and anthropological data and theories have supported the idea that all human societies have developed along a universal “evolutionary” trajectory. Human societies started as small and egalitarian, then transitioned to large and socially complex. This evolution from “foragers” to “states” has paved the way for various theories about the progression of the human race. In Yoffee’s article, “Too Many Chiefs?” he discussed the idea of neo-evolutionism. He describes neo-evolutionism as being a stepladder model of bands turning into tribes, then chiefdoms, and finally states (Yoffee 1993). This model has been used for the past three decades, and has helped archeologists research the early states. Despite its benefits when investigating the rise of early states, this model has been rejected and critiqued by many people. Some anthropologists reject this theory due to their inability to see evolution on one trajectory. Those who reject neo-evolutionism allow for more informative theories of social change and evolution. The idea that all human societies develop along a universal “evolutionary” trajectory can be proved using a new social evolutionary theory discussed in Yoffee’s article, “Too Many Cheifs?” Yoffee breaks down the key components of the new social evolutionary theory and relates them to neoevolutionism. He shows that while taking the idea of a trajectory into account, the new social evolutionary theory does not rest solely...
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...ANTH 101 OL Cypress College Summer 2014 BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 3 Units CRN 30234 | June 23-July 23 | Fully Online Professor Becky Floyd Email: bfloyd@cypresscollege.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/ProfFloyd/ Course Description Office Hours I don’t have official office hours during summer. Join the Facebook group right away. Feel free to message me through Facebook or email me any time. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Blackboard We will be using Blackboard for this class: cypresscollege.blackboard.com Log in with your student ID (include the @) and your myGateway (or existing Blackboard) password. You need to use a newer computer with up to date software. For more info: cypresscollege.edu/academics/ distanceeducation Do NOT use Internet Explorer or mobile devices (especially to take tests!). Computers are available on campus, many in the L/LRC: ccllrc.info/ or call 714-484-7193 Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 100 C.! UC/CSU, AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC! This course introduces the concepts, methods of inquiry, and scientific explanations for biological evolution and their application to the human species. Issues and topics will include, but are not limited to, genetics, evolutionary theory, human variation and biocultural adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. The scientific method serves as foundation of the course.! Duplicate credit not granted for ANTH 101HC or ANTH 201 C.! ...
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