My Lesson Take-aways
· What is anthropology?
In its simplest terms, anthropology is the study of humans and their ways of life. It is concerned with the origins of humanity, development, behavior, relationships, cultural relations, and the structures of societies. Anthropology, as a discipline, is considered both as social science, as it studies all aspects of human and natural sciences, as it also study the biological and physiological aspects of humans.
· Why do anthropologists study primate behavior?
One of the main interests of anthropology is to identify the origins and biological evolution of humans. Biologists like Charles Darwin believed that our species evolved from apes and emerged by adapting to the environment's changes. Anthropologists study primate behavior mainly because primates are the closest living relative to humans. Through studying primates, anthropologists can explain the similarities and differences between primates and humans and what makes our species unique from other living creatures.
· What common characteristics does anthropology share with the other sciences?
Similar to other social sciences disciplines, anthropology is focused on studying humans. Archeology focused on studying the material remains; Economists are interested in how societies produce and trade goods; Sociology is concerned with human interactions in the community; Psychology studies the human mind and behavior. Whereas, Anthropology study all these aspects of social life and their interrelationships.
· Why do anthropologists use an emic approach in their research?
Anthropologists use an emic approach in studying cultures of people because it provides a lens or point-of-view from the culture the anthropologists are studying, which will later provide comprehensive and culturally rich knowledge. Since anthropologists put themselves in an insider perspective, they can go further in-depth on the details of a society's practices and beliefs.
· What distinguishes anthropology from other human sciences?
Unlike other disciplines, anthropology studies all aspects of humans beings, interactions, all societies past and present, and ought to explain beliefs, practices, cultures. It is distinguished through its unique approaches, broad scope, unit of analysis, and methods used.
· What are the personal and professional uses of anthropology to you?
Studying anthropology can help me understand the different cultures around the world and identify how we are all connected, what makes our beliefs, practices similar and different as I move from place to place. Professionally, It has an essential usage to develop further and expand my knowledge about the discipline, especially that I major in social sciences, which will later help me become a reliable and knowledgeable teacher to my future students.
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