What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "anthropology"? Most people will say dinosaur bones. Anthropology is not the study of dinosaur bones, it is the study of humans. Why would one want to study humans? The reasons are far beyond more than words can say. There are a vast array of reasons that people choose to become anthropologists. They want to understand the reason things happened in the past with humans, how we got to where we are today, and what might happen in the near future. Are there patterns throughout history? There is more to anthropology than just a text book. Take time to read this website throughout it's entirety because there is an abundance of knowledge that some people may never get the chance to come across or understand.
The field of anthropology is divided into four different categories where each have a different set of research techniques and attractions. The subdivisions of anthropology consist of: biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology anthropology (What is Anthropology, 2012). Anthropology consists of the studying of humans, past and present.
"To understand the full sweep and complexity of cultures across all of human history, anthropology draws and builds upon knowledge from the social and biological sciences as well as the humanities and physical sciences. A central concern of anthropologists is the application of knowledge to the solution of human problems. Anthropologists often integrate the perspectives of several of these areas into their research, teaching, and professional lives" (American Anthropological Association, 2014).
Cultural anthropology deals with individuals in the field who are interested in the aspects of a society all around the world. Normally cultural anthropologists focus on religious beliefs within a society, marriage, political and social organizations, kinship systems, subsistence and economic patters (What is Anthropology, 2012). The Southeast Asian Hmong is a large-scale society that cultural anthropologists are studying today.
The field of anthropology is divided into four different categories where each have a different set of research techniques and attractions. The subdivisions of anthropology consist of: biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology anthropology (What is Anthropology, 2012). Anthropology consists of the studying of humans, past and present.
"To understand the full sweep and complexity of cultures across all of human history, anthropology draws and builds upon knowledge from the social and biological sciences as well as the humanities and physical sciences. A central concern of anthropologists is the application of knowledge to the solution of human problems. Anthropologists often integrate the perspectives of several of these areas into their research, teaching, and professional lives" (American Anthropological Association, 2014).
Cultural anthropology deals with individuals in the field who are interested in the aspects of a society all around the world. Normally cultural anthropologists focus on religious beliefs within a society, marriage, political and social organizations, kinship systems, subsistence and economic patters (What is Anthropology, 2012). The Southeast Asian Hmong is a large-scale society that cultural anthropologists are studying today.
The Hmong culture originated in China and migrated to northern Southeast Asia. Anne Fadiman's book of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down deals with the Hmong and their migration to the United States and how it ultimately affected their lives. The page of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down will continue to discuss the Hmong culture and how their life changes are relevant to medical anthropology.
Chelsey Victor • Utica College • Cultures, Health and Healing - ANT 415 • Spring 2014