Anthropology: The Fundamental Social Science
Anthropology is, according the American Anthropological Association, "the study of humans, past and present" (AAA, 2011). Anthropology looks at what it means to be human; it is "a field of inquiry that studies human culture and evolutionary aspects of human biology, including cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and biological anthropology" (Jurmain, Kilgore, & Trevathan 2006: 6). It, therefore, is the fundamental social (and behavioral) science discipline that is concerned with humans. To understand Anthropology, one must understand social science, which is "a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of sociality" (Webster's, 2011). While other social sciences describe and explain aspects of humanity, anthropology looks at humanity holistically.
Anthropology
Anthropology is, at its heart, a discipline concerned with both the biological and sociocultural aspects of humanity. As such, it sets the stage for all other disciplines. Disciplines such as economics, geography, history, linguistics, political science, and sociology all rely on anthropological information and methodology, or, at least, understand humanity is a fundamentally limited way (e.g., understanding humanity only from a western/North American perspective or a post-industrial revolutionary perspective). Anthropology, however, tries...
, 1997). Ideas and Ideologies Throughout the years, sociology concepts have been developed, interpreted and put in rational frame works with concepts that advocate for social ideology. Human perspective thinking is guided by the systems of ideas that provide relevant societal theories with commitment and implications that promote social change (Johnston and Oliver, pg 1). Ideologies are of fundamental importance, especially when scrutinizing social and cultural formations that lead to social change.
It was originally established in the early 19th century by Auguste Comte who tried to unify history, psychology and economics through an understanding of society as a broad paradigm. Emile Durkheim took this a bit further and focused on the way societies could maintain a sort of integrity within the modern work where past cultural trends (religion, ethnicity, etc.) were no longer the singular part of society. His view,
He wanted to show how conversation analysis and ethnomethodology may elucidate two interrelated matters of continuing concern to the ethnographer: the role of culture in shaping an informants' behavior and the apparent capacity of an investigated culture to compel the fieldworker to follow local habits of thought. For this research, Watson defined ethnomethodology as "the study of how people, in their everyday lives, constitute the world as a recognizable state
Social Theory and Globalization: The topic of globalization has become one of the trendiest subjects in modern political and academic debates because it covers a broad range of discrete economic, cultural and political trends. Since its multi-facet in nature, the attributes of globalization have become difficult for people to conceive especially for those who believe its existence. Consequently, there are various definitions of globalization that have emerged from various disciplines of
Gift giving creates a bond between the giver and the receiver. Mauss felt that to reject a gift, was to reject the social bond attached to it. Likewise, to fail to reciprocate is viewed as a dishonorable act in some cultures. Gift giving is a means to create social cohesion among the group. What Distinctive contributions did Weber make to social theory? Weber used his work to attempt to understand the
Culture is learned - passed down through parents, peers, and reinforced with positive responses, or discouraged with negative responses. . Humans seem to have an inherent nature to belong -- and therefore strive toward being included in the dominant culture -- a process called acculturation (Middleton, 2010, 4-52). Culture may be thought of as unique to certain structures. For instance, under Islamic society there is Saudi culture, Bedoin culture, and
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