Intro to Cultural Anthropology

Unit 1 – Intro to Anthropology & Culture

Unit 2 – Cultural Relativism: Understanding Differences

Unit 3 – Language and Communication

Unit 4 – Ethnographic Research Techniques

Unit 5 – Subsistence and Economic Systems

Unit 6 – Kinship and Family Structures

Unit 7 – Marriage and Sexuality

Unit 8 – Gender Roles and Identities

Unit 9 – Religion and Belief Systems

Unit 10 – Political Organization in Anthropology

Unit 11 – Art, Music & Expressive Culture

Unit 12 – Globalization's Impact on Culture

Unit 13 – Applied Anthropology: Modern Challenges

Unit 14 – Anthropological Ethics & Cultural Preservation

## What do you learn in Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology explores human societies and cultures worldwide. You'll learn about cultural diversity, social structures, beliefs, and practices. The course covers topics like kinship, religion, gender, ethnicity, and globalization. You'll also dive into anthropological research methods, including fieldwork and participant observation, to understand how anthropologists study different cultures.

## Is Introduction to Cultural Anthropology hard?

Most students find Cultural Anthropology pretty manageable. The concepts aren't super complex, but there's a lot of new terminology to wrap your head around. The trickiest part is often shifting your perspective to view cultures objectively. Reading assignments can be heavy, and you'll need to keep up with current events. Overall, it's more about understanding ideas than memorizing facts.

## Tips for taking Introduction to Cultural Anthropology in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Watch ethnographic documentaries to see anthropological concepts in action
3. Keep up with global news to connect class topics to real-world events
4. Create flashcards for key anthropological terms and theories
5. Participate in class discussions to practice analyzing cultural phenomena
6. Read ethnographies to get a feel for anthropological writing styles
7. Check out "The Gods Must Be Crazy" for a fun look at cultural relativism
8. Try applying anthropological concepts to your own culture and experiences

## Common pre-requisites for Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

1. Introduction to Sociology: This course explores social structures, institutions, and human behavior in groups. It provides a foundation for understanding social dynamics.

2. World History: This class covers major historical events and developments across different cultures. It gives context to the cultural variations you'll study in anthropology.

## Classes similar to Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

1. Introduction to Archaeology: Explores how we study past human societies through material remains. You'll learn about excavation techniques and how to interpret archaeological findings.

2. Linguistic Anthropology: Focuses on language and its role in human culture. You'll study how language shapes and is shaped by social interactions and cultural norms.

3. Biological Anthropology: Examines human evolution, genetics, and biological diversity. You'll learn about our primate relatives and how humans have adapted to different environments.

4. World Religions: Surveys major religious traditions around the globe. You'll explore various belief systems and their impact on cultures and societies.

## Majors related to Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

1. Anthropology: Focuses on the study of human cultures, past and present. Students learn about cultural diversity, human evolution, and archaeological methods.

2. Sociology: Examines social behavior, institutions, and structures. Students analyze how societies function and change over time.

3. Global Studies: Explores international relations, global cultures, and world systems. Students gain a broad understanding of global issues and intercultural communication.

4. Ethnic Studies: Focuses on the experiences and contributions of specific ethnic groups. Students examine issues of race, identity, and cultural representation.

## What can you do with a degree in Introduction to Cultural Anthropology?

1. Cultural Resource Manager: Works to preserve and protect cultural heritage sites. They assess the cultural significance of artifacts and locations, and develop plans for their conservation.

2. International Development Specialist: Helps design and implement programs to improve living conditions in developing countries. They use their cultural knowledge to ensure projects are culturally appropriate and effective.

3. Diversity and Inclusion Consultant: Advises organizations on creating inclusive work environments. They use anthropological insights to help companies navigate cultural differences and promote equity.

4. Market Research Analyst: Studies market conditions to examine potential sales of products or services. They use anthropological methods to understand consumer behavior and cultural trends.

## Introduction to Cultural Anthropology FAQs

1. Do we have to do fieldwork in this class? Usually, intro classes don't require extensive fieldwork, but you might have small observation assignments. These help you practice basic anthropological research methods.

2. Is there a lot of writing in this course? Expect to write several short papers analyzing cultural phenomena. You'll likely have a longer research paper at the end of the semester.

3. How is this different from sociology? While there's overlap, anthropology focuses more on cultural diversity and often uses more qualitative methods. Sociology tends to look more at social structures and institutions within societies.

Anthropology

1.3 History and Development of Anthropological Theory

1.1 Defining Anthropology and Its Subfields

1.2 The Concept of Culture

1.4 Human Biological and Cultural Evolution

2.2 Ethnocentrism and Its Implications

2.1 Understanding Cultural Relativism

2.3 Challenges and Critiques of Cultural Relativism

3.1 Language, Thought, and Culture

3.3 Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures

3.4 Language Change and Globalization

3.2 Linguistic Anthropology and Its Key Concepts

4.2 Participant Observation and Interviewing Techniques

4.3 Data Analysis and Interpretation in Ethnography

4.1 Principles of Ethnographic Fieldwork

4.4 Ethics in Ethnographic Research

5.1 Types of Subsistence Strategies

5.2 Economic Anthropology and Exchange Systems

5.3 Globalization and Economic Change

6.3 Descent and Inheritance Patterns

6.1 Kinship Systems and Terminology

6.2 Family Structures Across Cultures

7.1 Marriage Practices and Cultural Variations

7.2 Sexuality and Cultural Norms

7.3 Contemporary Issues in Marriage and Family

8.1 Biological Sex vs. Cultural Gender

8.2 Gender Roles Across Cultures

8.3 Gender Inequality and Feminist Anthropology

8.4 LGBTQ+ Identities in Cross-Cultural Perspective

9.1 Anthropological Approaches to Religion

9.2 Types of Religious Beliefs and Practices

9.3 Ritual and Symbolism

9.4 Religion in the Modern World

10.1 Types of Political Systems

10.2 Power, Authority, and Social Control

10.3 Conflict Resolution and Legal Anthropology

11.1 Anthropology of Art and Aesthetics

11.3 Material Culture and Cultural Heritage

11.2 Music and Dance in Cultural Context

12.1 Theories of Cultural Change

12.2 Impact of Globalization on Local Cultures

12.3 Cultural Hybridity and Transnationalism

12.4 Technology and Cultural Transformation

13.1 Fields of Applied Anthropology

13.2 Anthropology in Development and Policy

13.3 Medical Anthropology and Global Health

13.4 Environmental Anthropology and Sustainability

14.1 Ethical Guidelines in Anthropological Research

14.2 Cultural Preservation and Indigenous Rights

14.3 Anthropology's Role in Addressing Global Challenges

Browse all Intro to Cultural Anthropology Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next