Crewe & Nantwich U3A Philosophy & Anthropology Group

Presentation 7th October 2013

This document is derived from a PowerPoint Presentation given by Alan White.

Notes used as a presentation aid are provided at the end (these were interleaved with the presentation but not displayed on screen).

The order of presentation varied in response to group interaction and was not as ordered here.

Discussion Points 1. What is Anthropology?

2. What are the aims of Anthropology? 3. What are the rules? 4. What methodologies do anthropologists use? 5. How does Anthropology compare to other disciplines of

science/philosophy? 6. Is it connected with philosophy? 7. Is it a social science? 8. If so how does it differ from other social sciences? 9. What codes of practice should we adopt when we organise meetings

dealing with anthropological topics? 10. What changes have there been in anthropology theory and practice? 11. What differences are there in the way different countries and

institutions deal with anthropology? 12. Relevance of Culture. What is it? Significance of Cultural Relativism?

Definition of anthropology OxfordDictionaries.com

the study of humankind, in particular:

• (also cultural or social anthropology) the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development.

• (also physical anthropology) the science of human zoology, evolution, and ecology.

Anthropology www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/anthropology

Anthropology

• is the scientific study of the origins of humans, how we have changed over the years, and how we relate to each other, both within our own culture and with people from other cultures.

• the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings

– Social Science: the branch of science that studies society and the relationships of individual within a society

21 types of Anthropology www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/anthropology

1. archaeology, archeology the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures

2. descriptive anthropology, ethnography the branch of anthropology that provides scientific description of individual human societies

3. ethnology the branch of anthropology that deals with the division of humankind into races and with their origins and distribution and distinctive characteristics

4. physical anthropology the branch of anthropology dealing with the genesis and variation of human beings

5. cultural anthropology, social anthropology the branch of anthropology that deals with human culture and society

6. Assyriology archeology of the ancient Assyrians 7. Egyptology archeology of ancient Egyptian artifacts 8. Sumerology the archeology of ancient Sumerians 9. marine archaeology, marine archeology, underwater archaeology,

underwater archeology the archeology of underwater sites 10. palaeoclimatology, paleoclimatology the study of the climate of past ages

11. palaeogeography, paleogeography the study of the geography of ancient times or ancient epochs

12. paleography the study of ancient forms of writing (and the deciphering of them) 13. palaeopathology, paleopathology the study of disease of former times (as

inferred from fossil evidence) 14. palaetiology, paletiology the explanation of past events in terms of scientific

causes (as geological causes) 15. palaeology, paleology the study of (especially prehistoric) antiquities 16. protoanthropology, protohistory the study humans prior to the invention of

writing 17. palaeoethnography, paleoethnography the ethnography of paleolithic humans 18. craniometry the branch of physical anthropology dealing with the study and

measurement of dry skulls after removal of its soft parts 19. garbology the study of a society by analyzing its garbage 20. mythology the study of myths 21. ritualism the study of religious or magical rites and ceremonies

History The British were the first to formally recognize the practical value of anthropology and also the first to employ applied anthropologists (Foster 1969: 181). E.B. Tylor considered anthropology to be a "policy science" and advocated its use in improving the human condition (Sills 1968: 337). Anthropology was first used in the administration of the British colonies under the rubric of indirect rule (originated by Lord Lugard) by Northcote Thomas in Nigeria in 1908 (Foster 1969: 187). The first formal administrative applied work in the US was not until 1934 with the Indian Reorganization Act of the New Deal. Anthropologists, acting as liaisons between Native American groups and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), observed the leadership and patterns of government on reservations and made recommendations on the establishment of tribal charters and constitutions (Foster 1969: 200). The start of employment of anthropologists working in federal policy is generally credited to John Collier, Commissioner of the BIA, who argued that the specialized skills of anthropologists should be utilized in public sector programs (van Willigen 1986: 24). Applied work in archaeology was first initiated during the 1920s when government policy-makers first cooperated with archaeologists in public works projects (Fiske and Chambers 1997: 283).

Practical Anthropology – (Brits 1st ) www.indiana.edu/~wanthro/theory_pages/Applied.htm

extract:-

An Introduction to A-Level Anthropology Royal Anthropological Institute's Discover Anthropology Programme

See also other videos at: Royal Anthropological Institute's Discover Anthropology Programme - YouTube

Plus: http://www.discoveranthropology.org.uk/about-anthropology.html

Cultural Relativism

Definition of relativism in English (Oxford Dictionaries)

relativism

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛlətɪvɪz(ə)m/ noun

the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation

to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.

PHA Anthropological/Sociological Topics

Date Presenter Topic Handout PRE

Handout POST

Apr 15 David Hands & Sonia Gregor

Methodology of Anthropology

May 13 John Kirkby

Subject Matter: Anthropological considerations based on John's experience in advising on the handling of humanitarian problems with regard to refugees. John will be discussing, in particular the current issues in Syria.

Introductery preview/synopsis: Refugeedom: its effects on people's lives with special reference to the present Syrian refugee crisis

A 1998 paper co-written by John from which he will be drawing factors for discussion: Beneficiaries and Humanitarian Assistance in Complex Emergencies

Jun 17 Carol Davenport Title: The Elderly In Society

Term 3 - Summer (Apr - Jun 2013)

2013

Date Presenter Topic Handout PRE

Handout POST

Feb 6 Tom Brooks

Descartes' dualism in the human species.

Transcript

Feb 20 Berenice & Bryan Halson

Indigenous people today

'Boundaries and Indigenous Peoples'

Mar 5 Shirley Race Malayan cultures

Slide Presentation Script

Mar 19 Alan White

1. India and Tibetan crossing of boundaries. 2. Discussion

Outline Notes

Spring Term Jan - March

2012

Date Presenter Topic Handout PRE

Handout POST

Apr 16 Anne Alexander Pilgrimages

A History of Pilgrimages (RTF - rich text format document)

Apr 30 Robert Spowage

Invader Effects on the Evolution of South American Indian Society - followed by discussion

May 14 Alan White

Change of programme: Short presentation leading to Discussion on the effects of Evolving Technology on Human Evolution. Will Technology lead to our Doom or to our Survival? AFTER REFRESHMENTS - we will discuss themes for next year. ( Doreen McCarthy's presentation has been postponed until next year)

May 28 Julian Ward Differing Views on the Boundary Between Reason and Faith

Paper presented at meeting

Jun 11 S.G.

summary and discussion on philosophical/anthropological themes and findings through the year

Journeys & Boundaries by S.G. (RTF - rich text format document)

Term 3 Summer Apr – Jun 2012

Date Presenter Topic Handout PRE

Handout POST

Sep 26 S.G. Relation Journeys: Boundaries. Syllabus & Map

Time Map from Pat H

Oct 10 S.G.

Journey 1. into current permanently growing changing archaeological & paleo-anthropological findings re. development of human species.

Presocratics

Oct 24 Sonia & Alan Subgroups discussion: What is Philosophy & Anthropology?

Reports

Nov 7

Renee Robinson on dev. of ‘self’ from British v. Dutch cultures.

Paul Schur on working in and exploring a north Indian mountain culture.

2011

Date Presenter Topic Handout PRE

Handout POST

Sep 10 Doreen McCarthy

Journey to Greece

2012

END of PRESENTATION

• Notes follow:

These were rough and not meant for presentation but provides additional information. One or two additions have been made to provide reference.

Page 2 - Notes

• Author: Alan White (AW)

Main Ref Book [SCA]: Social & Cultural Anthropology (see slide)

Relativism [ODE – Oxford Dictionaries ] the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.

(AW) Anthropologists form cultural groups and should be studied.

(AW) Categorical cage (also Book – search for 'cage')

(AW) If Shakespeare had been an anthropologist what a work it would be. Shakespeare lived in a very different culture and yet in studying his plays we continue to learn more about human nature and society. What qualifications did he have?

In our society when we reason in any topic we are expected to cite collaborative sources and the credibility of those sources. If a source does not have recognised qualifications then statements are given little credence no matter how well they may be reasoned or may chime with our feelings. On the other hand qualified sources are often given unquestioning trust.

Page 8 Notes

• History

• The British were the first to formally recognize the practical value of anthropology and also the first to employ applied anthropologists (Foster 1969: 181). E.B. Tylor considered anthropology to be a "policy science" and advocated its use in improving the human condition (Sills 1968: 337). Anthropology was first used in the administration of the British colonies under the rubric of indirect rule (originated by Lord Lugard) by Northcote Thomas in Nigeria in 1908 (Foster 1969: 187). The first formal administrative applied work in the US was not until 1934 with the Indian Reorganization Act of the New Deal. Anthropologists, acting as liaisons between Native American groups and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), observed the leadership and patterns of government on reservations and made recommendations on the establishment of tribal charters and constitutions (Foster 1969: 200). The start of employment of anthropologists working in federal policy is generally credited to John Collier, Commissioner of the BIA, who argued that the specialized skills of anthropologists should be utilized in public sector programs (van Willigen 1986: 24). Applied work in archaeology was first initiated during the 1920s when government policy-makers first cooperated with archaeologists in public works projects (Fiske and Chambers 1997: 283).

Page 9 Notes

• The link is to the web so a connection is required

• (For talk use local copy)

• Shows (a) attitudes to learning Anthropology; (b) teaching

• Note heading on board ‘Overt Participatory Observation’

Page 11 Notes

• Beautiful book by group founder Dr Sonia Gregor

• One of several books

• This not just Anthropology but with interwoven poem anthology and wonderful graphic illustrations.

Page 12 Notes

• Among the Dou Donggo – early 1980s

• If time bring up the eBook copy of [SAC] and run through bookmarks on various topics.

Page 13 Notes

• To show we have had many talks on the subject