| Papers [1-14] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 8] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 —> | Search results on "HISTORICAL ANTHROPOLOGY": |
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Historical Anthropology, 2004.
This paper discusses the impact of sociological theories on the field of historical anthropology.
2,260 words (approx. 9.0 pages), 9 sources, APA, £ 56.95
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Abstract
This paper examines three specific sociological theories. The author contrast each theory. The paper demonstrates their impact on the field of historical anthropology.
From the Paper
"Some critics of the field of historical anthropology have accused the field and its practitioners of being generally if not entire theoretical. In other words, the charge leveled against the field is that much of its work and research tends to proceed without the benefit of a specific theoretical lens or framework within which a particular subject event or individual group is analyzed. Many social scientists argue that theoretical underpinning for any investigation is analysis allows the researcher to assess results with respect to ..."
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Historical Particularism vs. Cultural Ecology, 2002.
Discusses and compares these two concepts of anthropology.
1,168 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 28.95
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Abstract
Franz Boaz defined the concept in anthropology, ?Historical Particularism?, which focuses directly on an event itself and accounts for this event by tying it in some way to environmental and historical factors that could explain the creation of the cultural variables. The paper compares this theory to Julian Steward's "Cultural Ecology", which is different in its temporal emphasis. Whereas Boaz tended to focus on one particular event, Steward seems to be more interested in viewing the process of interaction between environment and culture over time. Steward examined the process by which societies adapted to their environment and then considered how changes or developments in that environment then lead to cultural change. The paper also shows that while Boaz and Steward?s views disagree on the the interaction between culture and environment, later theorists have attempted to resolve the differences between the theorists.
From the Paper
"Thus, while Rappaport employs an overarching framework that would be in accordance with Steward?s ideas about Cultural Ecology, his focus is not on the systematic development of the relationship between environment and culture, but on the particulars of any culture or historical event that is engrossed in the process of undergoing change. Indeed, Rappaport ?stated that much is to be gained by regarding culture ?as part of the means by which animals of the human species maintain themselves in their environment?? (Runk). Thus, his focus on the particularities of an event reflects the influence of Boaz on his work."
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Field Projects in Anthropology, 2003.
An illustration of the benefits of field work in the anthropology field through field projects, as seen from the view of Crane and Angrosino's,"Field Project in Anthropology: Third Edition."
1,612 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 1 source, APA, £ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper is a thorough analysis of the benefits of field work to the anthropology field, especially to a student or ethnographer. It uses fourteen different field projects as guides for an aspiring anthropologist to use when beginning fieldwork. This paper demonstrates the importance of fieldwork to the anthropology field as a whole, as well as to the individual. All of Crane and Angrosino's projects are summarized, and their meaning is clearly outlined. Topics covered include how to approach, research, begin, continue, and conclude fieldwork in any culture. It provides a concise base from which to base ethnographic studies.
From the Paper
"Julia Crane and Michael Angrosino?s Field Projects in Anthropology (Third Edition) seeks to illustrate the benefits of fieldwork to the anthropology field. Fieldwork is unequivocally necessary for a student to gain anthropological perspective (Crane 1992: v). There are numerous ways that a student can approach fieldwork, and Field Projects shines light on several aspects of anthropological fieldwork through fourteen different projects. These projects characterize some of the more useful data-collection techniques and show students an array of ways to approach anthropological fieldwork (1992: vi)."
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Cultural Anthropology, 2002.
Examines some of the common constants in cultural anthropology and how they apply to the field of cultural anthropology.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 2 sources, £ 18.95
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Abstract
There are distinct relationships between culture, maintenance systems, child rearing and ecology that, when observed from a detached view, provide a wealth of information about all of the communities (and all of their permutations) throughout the world. It is the assertion of this paper that these characteristics of a people, regardless of size or any other factor, are common throughout all peoples and is thus used as primary markers by anthropologists upon which to base their work. Therefore, this paper will demonstrate such relationships and how they apply to the field of cultural anthropology.
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Interpretive vs. Post Processual Anthropology, 2001.
An anthropology paper discussing the differences between processual and post processual anthropology..
1,397 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how many people believe processual and interpretive archaeology to be completely different schools of thought. By looking at the seven main concepts of processual archaeology and the eight main concepts of interpretive archaeology, the writer demonstrates how they go hand in hand as well as complement each other. The example used is the origin of agriculture.
From the Paper
"Though processual archaeology and interpretive archaeology appear to take different approaches to the study of the human past, they share a common end goal: to understand how societies came into being, how they developed and how they worked, all using data from the archaeological record. The two circles of thought each claim their distinctiveness from the other, but if we compare and contrast their main points, we will see how these two methods relate very closely. In other words, their main differences may just be in terms of scale of analysis. By examining the articles on the origins of agriculture (Redding; Richerson, Boyd, and Bettinger; Hayden; and Hodder) and the approaches of the authors in terms of processual vs. interpretive archaeology, we will see the strengths and weaknesses of each. Ultimately, this analysis will provide insight on how a combination of both fields may prove a more effective method for the study of the human past."
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Feminism and Anthropology, 2003.
A reflection on on the contributions of the feminist perspective to anthropology.
3,140 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 12 sources, MLA, £ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how feminist anthropology emerged in the latter half of the twentieth century and attempted to combat the representation (or lack of it) of women in anthropological writing. It looks at how in doing so, it moved through several stages, from trying to redress the imbalance in ethnographic knowledge, through a critique of the theoretical praxis of anthropology to the uncertain place that it has at present. It examines the background to the feminist movement in anthropology and attempts to see it in historical perspective. It then analyses each of the stages of feminist anthropology and assesses their contribution to the broader subject.
From the Paper
"Feminist anthropology has allowed two great ethnocentric divides to be broken down. The first is that between nature/culture. Running through all the work of feminist anthropology is the rejection of the place women have been assigned as somehow preordained or organic. Fatima Mernissi shows that the passive role of the women in some Muslim societies, who is seen as potentially more sexually aggressive than the male, is a cultural construct: ?what is feared in Muslim marriage is the growth of the involvement between a man and a woman into the all-encompassing love, satisfying the sexual, emotional and intellectual needs of both partners.? Such as involvement would be seen as a direct threat to man's relationship with Allah."
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Political and Economic Anthropology, 2008.
This paper reflects on two chapters in Robert Lavenda and Emily Schultz's "Core Concepts in Cultural Anthropology".
1,065 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 1 source, APA, £ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Lavina and Schultz in "Core Concepts in Cultural Anthropology" see political anthropology as the study of power, political ideology, political economy, political organization, social stratification, social control and law, status and role and much later ideas of nationalism and hegemony. The author points out that, in 'economic anthropology', all societies are reported to show a form of material life that can be explained in terms of production, exchange or related material culture, which dictates the types of laws and political practices in that society. The paper states that the study of emergencies, crises or wars tells a good deal about matters of nationalism, hegemony and leadership as reactions of weakness to situations that are unpredictable, such as the strong instinct for 'communitas' that was seen when the United States experienced 9/11.
From the Paper
"Some anthropologists like to study how societies cope with unnatural situations or crises. For instance, if a society has known famine and starvation, or is in a climate that means food can be grown or found only for part of the year, there will be effort to save food for hard times. If the food supply is year-round and easily found, there will be less of this planning ahead. What is very valuable will be guarded by law that can mean tradable goods of high value or perhaps special religious items that no ordinary person is to touch."
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Medical Anthropology, 2006.
This paper examines the issues of health and disease and looks at medical anthropology.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 0 sources, £ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the different aspects of medical anthropology. The underlying theories of medical anthropology are discussed as well as the concept of health and disease, taking into consideration different culture-based paradigms depicting each one. Disease profiles of the different civilizations, from foraging nomads to empires are compared and contrasted.
From the Paper
"Though giving birth occurs naturally in women, the experience itself varies among women due to the great influence of cultural beliefs and the resources available within different societies. Depending on how a society values or perceives childbirth as a medical event, the process will differ according to who conducts it (e.g. physician versus community midwife), how it is conducted (e.g. through a cesarean operation or spontaneous, natural birth) and where it occurs (e.g. whether it is in a modern and well-equipped obstetric facility or at home)."
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Anthropology in Today?s World, 2002.
A study of the application of anthropology today.
930 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 23.95
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Abstract
This paper describes the relevance of anthropology in today?s world. The paper demonstrates that their discoveries and theories bear heavily on our understanding of our past and future, as illustrated by the recent discovery of Neanderthal violence also sheds light on man?s capacity for love and caring. The paper states that anthropology is defined as ?the science of the physical, cultural and social development of man, his evolution, behavior and geographic distribution from prehistoric times to the present.?
From the Paper
"Anthropology is sometimes viewed as a bit arcane as well, but even a quick glance at some of the aspects of anthropologists? work indicates immediately that anthropology is more relevant today than ever. Indeed, anthropologists are one of the only groups of intellectuals who are able to draw together the hard sciences and social sciences and develop cohesive and encompassing theories of history, sociology and understanding."
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Darwinian Anthropology and Evolutionary Psychology, 2002.
This paper compares and contrasts the two major views of the cultural development of humans: Darwinian Anthropology and Evolutionary Psychology.
1,720 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 10 sources, MLA, £ 39.95
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Abstract
The writer explores the similarity between the two theories in that each acknowledges the evolutionary mechanisms for behavior that have been inherited. The rest of the paper highlights the ways in which the theories diverge: Darwinian Anthropology feels these are secondary to modern cultural influence while Evolutionary Psychology feels they are primary in explaining how and why we behave as we do.
From the Paper
"Many feel that a combination of the two theories is a viable solution to the differences and weaknesses we have found. While this is not a direct comparison of our two original theories, it is important to look at ways in which they could coexist. These coevolutionary theories combine the study of current adaptations in current culture to help understand the evolution of mechanisms which initially drive the culture. The inverse is also true; studying the mechanisms of evolution in the human mind helps to understand why we behave as we do in modern society."
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Psychological Anthropology, 2005.
An analysis of psychological anthropology and how culture and personality intermix.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 4 sources, £ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at psychological anthropology through many methods. It looks at the definition itself, how older and contemporary psychological anthropologists analyze their own work, and how personality and culture intermix. The paper looks closely at a few specific sub-categories, such as Freud, madness, and primitive cultures. The paper analyzes it in connection to personality, culture, emotion, madness and primitive cultures.
From the Paper
" Psychological Anthropology: A Universal Process Psychological anthropology is an attempt to discover the dynamics of group differences, often via means of close observation and study of a particular theme or culture. It combines the attributes of psychology and anthropology in an endeavor detect similarities between human beings in personal, social and cultural settings. Many scholars have defined their field using distinct nuances, as cater to their brand of craft, but underlying all psychological anthropology is a cultural analysis that aims to discover inherent qualities within us all. Bourguignon (1979), a psychological anthropologist, spent time analyzing the link between classic anthropology--in which scholars studied primitive cultures--and elements of psychology, such as Freud's psychoanalysis of the psychology of childhood development--or the issues of childhood projecting into adulthood."
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Museum Anthropology, 2007.
This paper discuses the impact of new technologies on the practice of museum anthropology.
1,610 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that new technologies are impacting the practice of museum anthropology by making possible a more accurate interpretation of what ancient objects are really saying, by removing long-held misconceptions, and by enabling museum anthropologists to get much closer to the real story told by these silent artifacts. The author points out that the invention of photography has made possible different kinds of exhibitions, while the invention of x-rays, combined with sophisticated computer analysis of these x-rays, has made possible a more informed understanding of what exhibit artifacts really mean. The paper relates that archaeologists, anthropologists, engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists are working together at the ancient site of Tiwanaku, Bolivia, to develop a large, subsurface surveying project that will attempt to identify artifacts before they are actually collected.
From the Paper
"Yet this was just the beginning of the ways in which technology would shape and frame the discourses engaged in by museum anthropologists. While the possibility of collections of photographs made possible a particular kind of exhibition, more recent advances have made possible a deeper insight into what the exhibitions actually mean. For example, the Krapina Neanderthal fossil bone collection was found in August, 1899, in caves in Croatia. It has long been thought that the collection was a relic of an ancient group of hominids that died out because they were weaker than other groups."
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Anthropology by Mary Douglas and Victor Turner, 2005.
A review of ritual and anthropology as described by Mary Douglas and Victor Turner.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, £ 18.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews two works by Mary Douglas and Victor Turner on the matters of ritual and anthropology (article sources are not named and are not included). The paper briefly explores issues of taboo behavior in scriptures and rituals, and concludes that the process of studying such scriptures and rituals is difficult because of the inter-connectivity found between them and their respective host societies.
From the Paper
"It is commonly accepted that many religious scriptures help convey social and communal codes. Dietary habits are a good example of this, where certain cultures avoided the ingestion of pork on the grounds that it was prohibited by their faith, but also that avoidance helped reduce the possibilities of disease. However, the authors promote the concept that there are multiple ways to understand adherence to certain scriptures and codes as presented in the religious texts. The concept of what is dirty, soiled, or sinful, for example, can be interpreted on one level as helping practitioners avoid lifestyle traits that were unhealthy. Yet this can be interpreted on a second level as well, where the avoidance of dirt was more of a symbolic avoidance of impurities."
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Native vs. Non-native Anthropology, 2005.
This paper contends that distinctions between native and non-native anthropology are insignificant.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 4 sources, £ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that a native anthropologist is one who conducts research in their own society whereas a regular anthropologist conducts research in any society. The paper considers how some would argue that there should be a distinction. This paper presents the hypothesis that the distinctions between native and regular anthropology do not matter. To support this argument, the work of the following two anthropologists is considered; Vincent Crapanzano, who is considered a Native anthropologist because he is doing research in his own society and Anne Allison, an American doing research in Japan.
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