Cultural Anthropology
Jestoni Udal November 20, 2013
Cultural Anthropology Fr. Edgar Javier, svd
Activity No.1 – November 6, 2013
1. Define the following terms:
a. Anthropology
“The word anthropology is derived from the Greek words anthropo, meaning “human beings” or “humankind,” and logia, translated as “knowledge of” or “the study of.”1 Likewise, it is a study which comprises four subfields: the physical anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology and cultural anthropology or ethnology, which constitutes a broad approach to the study of humanity.2 Furthermore, “Anthropology is the exploration of human diversity in time and space.”3 Consequently, anthropology is a study or discourse of human being which deals human condition in every particular context and time, both past and present. It is a study that deals humans as biological species, as beings with culture and language present in a society, and so on.
b. Cultural Anthropology
“Cultural anthropology is the study of human society and culture, the subfield that describes, analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural similarities and differences.4 So, it is in this field that human beings are studied in a cultural perspective in order to identify the commonality and difference of one culture to the other. Likewise, “Cultural anthropology or ethnology is the subfield of anthropology that examines various contemporary societies and cultures throughout the world.”5 Therefore, it does not study human being individually but societally or as a group, in order to come up with a generalization of their way of life.
c. Ethnology
“Ethnology examines, interprets, analyzes, and compares the results of ethnography—the data gathered in different societies.”6 Likewise, “ethnology is the comparative science that attempts to identify and explain cultural differences and similarities, test hypotheses, and build theory to enhance our understanding of how social and cultural systems work.7 Thus, ethnology is
Cultural Anthropology Fr. Edgar Javier, svd
Activity No.1 – November 6, 2013
1. Define the following terms:
a. Anthropology
“The word anthropology is derived from the Greek words anthropo, meaning “human beings” or “humankind,” and logia, translated as “knowledge of” or “the study of.”1 Likewise, it is a study which comprises four subfields: the physical anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology and cultural anthropology or ethnology, which constitutes a broad approach to the study of humanity.2 Furthermore, “Anthropology is the exploration of human diversity in time and space.”3 Consequently, anthropology is a study or discourse of human being which deals human condition in every particular context and time, both past and present. It is a study that deals humans as biological species, as beings with culture and language present in a society, and so on.
b. Cultural Anthropology
“Cultural anthropology is the study of human society and culture, the subfield that describes, analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural similarities and differences.4 So, it is in this field that human beings are studied in a cultural perspective in order to identify the commonality and difference of one culture to the other. Likewise, “Cultural anthropology or ethnology is the subfield of anthropology that examines various contemporary societies and cultures throughout the world.”5 Therefore, it does not study human being individually but societally or as a group, in order to come up with a generalization of their way of life.
c. Ethnology
“Ethnology examines, interprets, analyzes, and compares the results of ethnography—the data gathered in different societies.”6 Likewise, “ethnology is the comparative science that attempts to identify and explain cultural differences and similarities, test hypotheses, and build theory to enhance our understanding of how social and cultural systems work.7 Thus, ethnology is