Intro to Anthropology

Unit 1 – What Is Anthropology?

Unit 2 – Cultural and Archaeological Methods

Unit 3 – Cultural Change: Theories and Concepts

Unit 4 – Early Human Evolution: Biological Evidence

Unit 5 – Genus Homo: The Rise of Modern Humans

Unit 6 – Language and Communication

Unit 7 – Economic Anthropology: Work and Value

Unit 8 – Political Anthropology: Power and Authority

Unit 9 – Social Inequalities

Unit 10 – Human Migration's Global Effects

Unit 11 – Forming Family through Kinship

Unit 12 – Gender and Sexuality

Unit 13 – Religion and Culture

Unit 14 – Anthropology of Food

Unit 15 – Anthropology of Media

Unit 16 – Art, Music, and Sport

Unit 17 – Medical Anthropology

Unit 18 – Human–Animal Relationship

Unit 19 – Indigenous Anthropology

Unit 20 – Anthropology on the Ground

## What do you learn in Introduction to Anthropology

Anthropology is all about studying humans - past and present. You'll explore human evolution, cultural diversity, and how societies function. The course covers topics like archaeology, linguistics, and social structures. You'll learn about different cultures, how humans adapt to their environments, and the ways we communicate and create meaning in our lives.

## Is Introduction to Anthropology hard?

Intro to Anthro isn't usually a killer course, but it can be challenging if you're not used to thinking about human behavior in a scientific way. There's a fair amount of reading and some new terminology to learn. The concepts aren't super complex, but you'll need to keep an open mind and be ready to question your assumptions about how societies work.

## Tips for taking Introduction to Anthropology in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Pay attention to case studies - they're key for understanding how anthropological concepts apply in real life
3. Don't just memorize terms, try to understand how they relate to each other
4. Practice applying anthropological perspectives to your own life and culture
5. Watch ethnographic documentaries like "The Ax Fight" or "Nanook of the North" to see anthropology in action
6. Read classic anthropological texts like "Coming of Age in Samoa" by Margaret Mead
7. Engage in class discussions - they're great for processing new ideas
8. Keep an open mind about different cultural practices

## Common pre-requisites for Introduction to Anthropology

1. Introduction to Sociology: This course explores how societies are structured and how they function. You'll learn about social institutions, culture, and social interactions.

2. World History: This class gives you a broad overview of human history across different civilizations. It provides context for understanding cultural developments over time.

## Classes similar to Introduction to Anthropology

1. Cultural Anthropology: Dives deeper into the study of human cultures. You'll explore topics like kinship, religion, and economic systems in different societies.

2. Biological Anthropology: Focuses on human evolution and biological diversity. You'll learn about primates, human ancestors, and how humans adapt to different environments.

3. Archaeology: Explores how we study past human societies through material remains. You'll learn about excavation techniques and how to interpret artifacts.

4. Linguistic Anthropology: Examines how language shapes culture and vice versa. You'll study language diversity, communication styles, and how language changes over time.

## Majors related to Introduction to Anthropology

1. Anthropology: Studies human diversity across time and space. Anthropology majors learn about cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological aspects of human life.

2. Sociology: Focuses on understanding social behavior and institutions. Sociology majors study topics like social inequality, demographics, and social movements.

3. Archaeology: Concentrates on uncovering and interpreting material remains of past human societies. Archaeology majors learn excavation techniques, artifact analysis, and theories of cultural change.

4. Cultural Studies: Examines how culture shapes and is shaped by various aspects of society. Cultural Studies majors explore topics like media, identity, and globalization.

## What can you do with a degree in Introduction to Anthropology?

1. Cultural Resource Manager: Works to preserve and protect cultural heritage sites. They conduct surveys, manage archaeological excavations, and ensure compliance with preservation laws.

2. Market Researcher: Applies anthropological methods to understand consumer behavior. They conduct ethnographic research and analyze cultural trends to inform marketing strategies.

3. International Development Worker: Helps implement and evaluate development projects in various cultures. They use their understanding of cultural diversity to ensure projects are culturally appropriate and effective.

4. Museum Curator: Manages and interprets collections of cultural artifacts. They research, design exhibits, and educate the public about different cultures and historical periods.

## Introduction to Anthropology FAQs

1. Do we have to do fieldwork in this class? Most intro courses don't require fieldwork, but you might have small observation assignments. These are usually fun and help you practice applying what you're learning.

2. Is there a lot of writing in this course? There's usually some writing, often in the form of short essays or research papers. It's a good chance to practice analyzing cultural phenomena.

3. How does anthropology differ from sociology? While both study human society, anthropology tends to focus more on cultural diversity and often includes biological aspects. Sociology typically concentrates more on social structures and institutions within societies.

Anthropology

1.1 The Study of Humanity, or "Anthropology Is Vast"

1.2 The Four-Field Approach: Four Approaches within the Guiding Narrative

1.3 Overcoming Ethnocentrism

1.4 Western Bias in Our Assumptions about Humanity

1.5 Holism, Anthropology’s Distinctive Approach

1.6 Cross-Cultural Comparison and Cultural Relativism

1.7 Reaching for an Insider’s Point of View

2.1 Archaeological Research Methods

2.2 Conservation and Naturalism

2.3 Ethnography and Ethnology

2.4 Participant Observation and Interviewing

2.5 Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

2.6 Collections

3.1 The Homeyness of Culture

3.2 The Winkiness of Culture

3.3 The Elements of Culture

3.4 The Aggregates of Culture

3.5 Modes of Cultural Analysis

3.6 The Paradoxes of Culture

4.1 What Is Biological Anthropology?

4.2 What’s in a Name? The Science of Taxonomy

4.3 It’s All in the Genes! The Foundation of Evolution

4.4 Evolution in Action: Past and Present

4.5 What Is a Primate?

4.6 Origin of and Classification of Primates

4.7 Our Ancient Past: The Earliest Hominins

5.1 Defining the Genus Homo

5.2 Tools and Brains: Homo habilis, Homo ergaster, and Homo erectus

5.3 The Emergence of Us: The Archaic Homo

5.4 Tracking Genomes: Our Human Story Unfolds

6.1 The Emergence and Development of Language

6.2 Language and the Mind

6.3 Language, Community, and Culture

6.4 Performativity and Ritual

6.5 Language and Power

7.1 Economies: Two Ways to Study Them

7.2 Modes of Subsistence

7.3 Gathering and Hunting

7.4 Pastoralism

7.5 Plant Cultivation: Horticulture and Agriculture

7.6 Exchange, Value, and Consumption

7.7 Industrialism and Postmodernity

8.1 Colonialism and the Categorization of Political Systems

8.2 Acephalous Societies: Bands and Tribes

8.3 Centralized Societies: Chiefdoms and States

8.4 Modern Nation-States

8.5 Resistance, Revolution, and Social Movements

9.1 Theories of Inequity and Inequality

9.2 Systems of Inequality

9.3 Intersections of Inequality

9.4 Studying In: Addressing Inequities within Anthropology

10.1 Peopling of the World

10.2 Early Global Movements and Cultural Hybridity

10.3 Peasantry and Urbanization

10.4 Inequality along the Margins

11.1 What Is Kinship?

11.2 Defining Family and Household

11.3 Reckoning Kinship across Cultures

11.4 Marriage and Families across Cultures

12.1 Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Anthropology

12.2 Performing Gender Categories

12.3 The Power of Gender: Patriarchy and Matriarchy

12.4 Sexuality and Queer Anthropology

13.1 What Is Religion?

13.2 Symbolic and Sacred Space

13.3 Myth and Religious Doctrine

13.4 Rituals of Transition and Conformity

13.5 Other Forms of Religious Practice

14.1 Food as a Material Artifact

14.2 A Biocultural Approach to Food

14.3 Food and Cultural Identity

14.4 The Globalization of Food

15.1 Putting the Mass into Media

15.2 Putting Culture into Media Studies

15.3 Visual Anthropology and Ethnographic Film

15.4 Photography, Representation, and Memory

15.5 News Media, the Public Sphere, and Nationalism

15.6 Community, Development, and Broadcast Media

15.7 Broadcasting Modernity and National Identity

15.8 Digital Media, New Socialities

16.1 Anthropology of the Arts

16.2 Anthropology of Music

16.3 An Anthropological View of Sport throughout Time

16.4 Anthropology, Representation, and Performance

17.1 What Is Medical Anthropology?

17.2 Ethnomedicine

17.3 Theories and Methods

17.4 Applied Medical Anthropology

18.1 Humans and Animals

18.2 Animals and Subsistence

18.3 Symbolism and Meaning of Animals

18.4 Pet-Keeping

18.5 Animal Industries and the Animal Trade

19.1 Indigenous Peoples

19.2 Colonization and Anthropology

19.3 Indigenous Agency and Rights

19.4 Applied and Public Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples

20.1 Our Challenging World Today

20.2 Why Anthropology Matters

20.3 What Anthropologists Can Do

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