MODULE #1: WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?
1-2 hours
A. Overview: This module is taught as a combination of lecture and student participation. Instructor will explain the four sub fields of anthropology and provide examples of each. Students will participate in a definition of culture and identifying the different groups involved in anthropological research.
B. Objectives:
1. Define the four sub fields of anthropology
2. Explain the concept of culture through use of examples
3. Describe ways in which anthropology helps understand human behavior
4. Identify diverse interests involved in anthropological research
5. Identify principles of stewardship, diverse interests, real world problem solving
C. Principles:
1. Stewardship: importance of conservation to understand past cultures (we have recovered information as a result of protecting sites that now give us that evidence (e.g., archaeological parks, preserves) nonrenewable resource
2. Diverse interests: descendant communities have a vested interest inarchaeological resources; protection of heritage; non-vanishing indigenous people
3. Real world problem solving: archaeologists and descendant communities work together to preserve the past and tie it to the present
D. Instructional Procedures: This module is primarily lecture and student activity. Throughout the lecture, students are asked questions to ensure they are grasping the concepts introduced. It is important to tie in real world experiences to the content, so the questions ask the students to think of some of the concepts in the context of today’s world. Powerpoint is useful to help identify concepts but the lecture can be taught with traditional technology (whiteboard, etc.).
E. Assessment: Students will complete activities in class.
F. Lecture Outline:
1. Define anthropology (study of humankinds; understand social and cultural behavior)
2. Describe each of four sub-fields (biological, cultural, linguistics, archaeology). Provide examples of how each is applied in real world. Can use the web area to assist in this section.
a. Activity: Define the four sub fields (branches) of anthropology. In what way are the linked together to form the discipline of anthropology? Define and discuss three key elements of culture and how each helps us better understand human behavior.
http://www.wsu.edu:8001/vwsu/gened/learn-modules/top_culture/culture-index.html
3. Define culture; have students assist in definition, providing examples
a. Activity: Each student has to think of two ways in which he or she defines him/herself. Most will choose an ethnicity and will find it hard to go beyond that, but others will manage to add class, status (e.g., single mother), sport participation, music participation, sexuality, etc. It is useful in demonstrating that culture is socially constructed.
b. Alternative Activity: In small groups students define "American culture." If they had to explain it to someone from another country, how would they do so? What characteristics would they define? Do material traits help define a culture? What about social behaviors? How might this be related to what we can learn from archaeology?
4. Discuss holistic approach to the study of humanity through anthropology.
5. Have students discuss ways in which four branches of anthropology are linked and how anthropology helps us better understand human behavior.
G. Video: Faces of Culture Introduction to Anthropology.
1. Activity: (Joe Watkins) Descendant communities in the city: Make a list of some of the descendant communities in the area. Choose one group and discuss: origin of the group (geographical, social, religious), history of group in the area, social structure (if any) retained from their original culture, including (religious or other social organizations, governmental/social leadership, language), what continues to bind the group together in this area (religion, economy, other), if you were to conduct a project of any sort on this group, how would you convey your results to them?
2. Activity: Goal of anthropology: systematic understanding of cultural aspects of human behavior; tries to account for cultural differences and similarities and seeks to understand how cultural institutions operate. Have students summarize what they have learned about anthropology and culture.