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Final Project Part A Submission: Interview Preparation Southern New Hampshire University ATH- 101-R1006 Introductions to Anthropology September 24, 2023

I. Defining Anthropology Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, encompassing the exploration of human nature, human society, and the human past. "Anthropology takes a broad approach to understanding the many different aspects of the human experience, encompassing human biology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics as its foundational pillars" (American Anthropological Association, 2021). It is a holistic discipline that seeks to understand the complexities of human existence through a multifaceted lens. The field of anthropology can be thought of as the sum of all its parts, with its various subfields working together to provide a comprehensive understanding of humanity. These subfields include cultural, archaeological, linguistic, and biological (physical) anthropology. Cultural anthropology is concerned with the study of contemporary human cultures and societies. It explores the beliefs, customs, traditions, social norms, and practices of various cultural groups around the world. Archaeology involves the study of past human societies through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other material remains. It aims to reconstruct and understand ancient cultures and their development over time. Linguistic anthropology focuses on the study of human languages, their evolution, structure, and the role they play in shaping culture and communication. It explores how language influences social interactions and identity. For instance, a linguistic anthropologist studying the endangered Ainu language of Japan, documenting its grammar, vocabulary, and oral traditions to preserve the linguistic heritage of the Ainu people. Biological anthropology examines human evolution, variation, and adaptation from a biological and evolutionary perspective. It encompasses the study of human genetics, primatology, skeletal biology, and human evolution.

II. Anthropological Perspective Any study may benefit from adopting an anthropological viewpoint. This is especially useful in situations of crisis. Anthropology takes into account a wide range of variables, including how the situation has affected culture, biology, and the environment. A. Global Cultural Crises “Cultural anthropologists specialize in the study of culture and peoples’ beliefs, practices, and the cognitive and social organization of human groups. Cultural anthropologists study how people who share a common cultural system organize and shape the physical and social world around them, and are in turn shaped by those ideas, behaviors, and physical environments.” Cultural relativism or understanding a culture on its own terms without passing judgment, is a theme in anthropology. This perspective is vital in situations where there are global cultural crises, such as war, migration, or cultural conflicts. Anthropologists can serve as cultural interpreters, assisting various groups in understanding one another's viewpoints, attitudes, and behaviors. This knowledge can help with peacemaking, conflict resolution, and diplomatic success. Anthropologists investigate the social, historical, and cultural backgrounds of cultural crises. Studying topics like colonization, globalization, cultural appropriation, and displacement is part of this. Anthropologists can help identify the underlying causes of crises and promote more knowledgeable policies and solutions by deconstructing these elements. Cultural heritage preservation is a problem of anthropology. Languages, customs, and cultural practices are frequently under danger during times of crisis. In order to preserve these

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cultural components and prevent their loss, anthropologists try to record and protect them. This is crucial for indigenous groups that are experiencing cultural evaporation. B. Biological Crises A branch of anthropology known as "biological anthropology" focuses on the biological components of mankind, such as genetic variation, human evolution, and physical variance among groups. One needs to take an anthropological perspective in order to fully comprehend the breadth and significance of biological anthropology. This viewpoint is essential because it situates biological facts within a more comprehensive context of human culture, behavior, and society. Understanding the connections between the biological and cultural facets of human life is one of the main justifications for taking an anthropological viewpoint in biological anthropology. Humans are cultural beings who are significantly influenced by their environments and societies in addition to being purely biological beings. Biology and culture are interwoven, and anthropologists understand that researching one without taking the other into account results in an incomplete picture. “Because these studies take place within an understanding of the context of human behavior and culture, biological anthropology stands as a unique link between the social and biological sciences.” (University of California Santa Cruz, 2022) Anthropologists assist humanitarian groups in comprehending the cultural norms and preferences of impacted populations in instances like natural disasters. This minimizes the possibility of unanticipated negative effects by ensuring that assistance is offered in culturally acceptable ways.

C. Environmental Crises “"Environmental anthropology is uniquely positioned to explore the complex relationship between human activities and environmental changes, offering insights into why certain choices are made, bridging social and natural sciences, and examining the interplay between cultural universals and particularities" (Palmer, 2020) To effectively address the complex environmental challenges facing our world, one must embrace an anthropological perspective within environmental anthropology. This perspective emphasizes the holistic understanding of human-environment interactions, acknowledging the interplay between cultural, social, and ecological factors. By providing a more thorough understanding of how various cultural groups interact with their environments, anthropologists help to design environmental policy. They are in favor of inclusive, culturally sensitive, and rights-based approaches to resource management and conservation. Anthropology can help communities build resilience and adjust to environmental changes. By obtaining an understanding of how cultural practices, knowledge, and social structures affect a community's ability to deal with environmental challenges, anthropologists can aid in the creation of sustainable adaptation strategies. III. Historical Perspective A. One significant historical contribution of anthropology that has helped legitimize the field in the present day is the work of Franz Boas. Boas is often considered the father of modern anthropology, and his emphasis on cultural relativism and the rejection of ethnocentrism laid the foundation for the field's credibility. “Boas’ concept of cultural relativism defied this

notion, emphasizing the necessity of evaluating cultures on their own terms rather than through a Western lens.” (Cassar, 2023) His research on the Inuit people in North America challenged prevailing racist and colonialist views, demonstrating that different cultures had their own valid ways of life and knowledge systems. Boas's advocacy for rigorous fieldwork and the collection of empirical data helped establish anthropology as a legitimate and scientific discipline, influencing the field's methodologies and ethical standards that continue to shape anthropology today. B. Many cultural groups and individuals use their past through rituals and traditions that connect them to their ancestors and history. For example, Indigenous communities often perform ceremonial dances, storytelling, or religious rituals that draw on historical narratives and symbolism. These practices reinforce cultural identity and continuity, allowing people to feel a deep connection to their past. Oral traditions, including storytelling and oral histories, are prevalent ways individuals and groups pass down knowledge and memories from the past. For instance, families might share stories of their ancestors' experiences to educate younger generations about their heritage and values. C. People frequently incorporate aspects of their ancestry into their identities. Individuals' worldviews and behaviors are shaped by their family histories, which include customs, values, and experiences. For instance, a family with a long history of volunteerism may instill in its members a feeling of civic responsibility, influencing their actions and values today. Even though family histories can have an impact on people, humans are not only a product of their ancestry. People can choose to deviate from family customs and expectations since they

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have free will. This may lead to the development of distinctive identities that incorporate personal experiences and decisions. D. The historical legacies of communities and regions frequently impact the identity of their residents. People from a region with a long tradition of crafting, for instance, might be proud of their artisanal abilities and use them in their current occupations. In a community or regional setting, people are not static relics of the past. Their identities develop as a result of how they respond to shifting conditions. For instance, communities with a history of farming may switch to alternative livelihoods as a result of economic changes or environmental changes, which can result in changes to identity and cultural norms.

References American Anthropological Association. (2021). What Is Anthropology? https://www.americananthro.org/advance-your-career/resources/what-is-anthropology Cassar, C. (2023, August 20). Franz Boas: The father of American anthropology . Anthropology Review. https://anthropologyreview.org/influential-anthropologists/franz-boas-the-father- of-american-anthropology/?expand_article=1 Palmer, C. T. (2020, January 1). Culture and sustainability: Environmental anthropology in the anthropocene . Perspectives An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 2nd Edition. https://pressbooks.pub/perspectives/chapter/culture-and-sustainability-environmental- anthropology-in-the-anthropocene/#:~:text=Arriving%20at%20Environmental %20Anthropology&text=Because%20human%20activities%20have%20changed,humans %20and%20their%20cultural%20systems. University of California Santa Cruz. (2022, December 1). Biological Anthropology. Anthropology. https://anthro.ucsc.edu/about/sub-fields/biological- anthro.html#:~:text=Biological%20anthropology%20deals%20with%20the,to%20allow %20survival%20and%20reproduction . U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). What is cultural anthropology?. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1209/what-is-cultural-anthropology.htm#:~:text=Cultural %20anthropologists%20study%20how%20people,the%20concept%20of%20culture %20itself.

ath101 final project part a

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