ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - John Colarusso, Andy Roddick, Participant Observation

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANTHROP 1AA3
• Professor: Tracy Prowse

Document Summary

Looking at the word anthropology it can be broken down into two parts: Logia=study of: thus anthropology is the study of humankind and aspects of humankind and our closest relatives (primatology is included) Anthropology is the systematic study of humankind (past and present from earliest fossil evidence that we have) On a broad basis we can say a few things about anthropology: Look at a population and may decide to divide into groups. Differentiate based on sex (males vs. females), skin colour (what are some of the reasons for these differences languages, body size, shape of face, belief systems) This is a key characteristic of anthropology. Looking at coffee growing in south america, want to understand the broader social, economic, political, religious aspects of the population. Anthropology is holistic: how can we understand the entire picture of the human condition, both biological and cultural, both past and present.