Anthropology

ANTH100 Assignment 1 Heather Hartwig American Military University October 21, 2012 Assignment 1 1) Discuss what evolution is in terms of physical anthropology. Evolution refers to â€Å"change over time†. In terms of physical anthropology, evolution is changes over time in living organisms. This means that living things have passed their traits from one generation to the next. There are very little changes that occur with each generation, but over time these changes accumulate in each living organism.It is believed that all life on Earth has common ancestry that lived more than 3. 5 billions of years ago (Park, 2008). 2) Define evolution. Evolution is defined as the idea or scientific theory that was proposed by Charles Darwin. Darwin believed that all species changed and evolved by natural selection from the same common ancestors. Evolution simply means that a species undergoes genetic change over time. Over many generations a species can evolve into something different. Thes e changes take place because of changes in DNA, which originated as mutations.Not all species evolve at the same rate. The theory of evolution does not prove that species will constantly evolve or how fast the species will change when it does (Park, 2008). 3) Discuss what a physical anthropologist may examine/investigate in order to study evolution. Paleoanthropology is a branch of paleontology that falls under physical anthropology. Paleoanthropologists study extinct primates and fossils. They use these examinations to further investigate the evolution of humans.They examine ancient humans, like the anthropoids. Anthropoids are considered humans closest relative and have been linked to human evolution (Coyne, 2009). 4) Discuss ‘how’ a physical anthropologist would study your answer for Q3 and why it is helpful for studying evolution. Paleoanthropologists are able to study evolution by examining fossils and ancient humans. They do this by investigating the fossil record and continue to make additions all the time. The first identifiable multicellular organism formed about 585 million years ago.The earliest fossil of the primate can go back before the extinction of the dinosaur over 65 million years ago. Bones and teeth were discovered in Montana and Wyoming (Park, 2008). Even though there was primate like evidence before the dinosaur extinction, (Shipman, 2012). 5) Find at least one outside source related to your answer for Q3 and Q4 (e. g. the genome project for DNA- do not use this example in your paper since it is provided for you). My outside source for questions 3 and 4 is a journal by Pat Shipman titled Fossils.This journal was published in The New Scientist Vol. 215, Issue 2876, p. 8-16. 6) Briefly describe the source and how is it helpful for examining/investigating evolution. It is a journal that discusses fossils of early life and evolution. It gives facts and information pertaining to the timelines, type and the formation of fossils. 7) Choose a second subfield of anthropology – cultural, linguistic, or archaeology. I chose Archaeology as my second subfield of anthropology. 8) Discuss how an anthropologist in this subfield would study evolution.Park defines archaeology as a subfield of anthropology that studies the past culture of humans and reconstructs the past cultural systems that existed. He goes on to say that they study cultures and people that are no longer living (Park, 2008). Archaeology reconstructs past cultural systems. Archaeology began as a method of identifying places and objects that were already known from historical records. It has become a very resourceful means of discovering new information not only about the historical period but also about years beyond the reach of written investigational facts.The purpose of archaeology is not only to recover ancient artifacts but to identify the relationship that these objects may have had with early human life. It also shows how early human primat es and modern humans are closely related. 9) Discuss what an anthropologist from your chosen subfield may examine/investigate in order to study evolution. Archaeologists have investigated fossils and remains of early humans and primates to show how human posture has changed over the years.The information that has been collected shows us a timeline of how much we have evolved since the discovery of the earliest human remains (Park, 2008). 10) Discuss ‘how’ an anthropologist from your chosen subfield would study your answer for Q9, and why it is helpful for studying evolution. Archaeologists have reconstructed human and primate remains that they have discovered to show how closely we are related to each other. They have used the information that they discovered to prove that humans have evolved from and can be compared to the primate species.Compared to earlier species, modern humans have evolved into a more upright species. Early humans were found to have a more curved p osture (Palmer, 2010). The archaeological information that is recorded proves that there is another explanation for our species other than what is believed by many. The Bible teaches that we were created by God. However, archaeologists make a strong case that contradicts what the Bible teaches. 11) Find at least one outside source related to your answer for Q9 and Q10. My source for questions 9 and 10 is Origins Human Evolution Revealed by Douglas Palmer. 2) Briefly describe the source and how is it helpful for examining/investigating evolutionThis book goes into detail on the story of the origins of the human species. It goes into detail about the journey of apes and humans. It compares and contrasts the differences as well as the similarities between early human species and the modern human species. 13) Discuss how the study of evolution between physical anthropology and your chosen subfield compare and contrast. Paleoanthropology and archaeology go hand in hand, because they both study fossils, extinct primates and the remains of early humans.They generally work together when investigating a site where artifacts have been discovered. The team work and information that is provided between paleoanthropology and archaeology gives us a better understanding of how humans have evolved into the modern species that we are today. 14) Conclude by discussing one new piece of information you learned about evolution. The one piece of information that I have learned about evolution is that I cannot solely base my understanding of how the human species became based off of my beliefs from the Bible.I understand now that scientific research has given factual information on how humans can and have evolved from ancient remains of primates and early humans. I will maintain that I believe that God did create us to an extent. However, I think that his creations have continued to evolve into the species that are here on earth today.References Palmer, Douglas. 2010. Origins human evolution revealed. Octopus Books, USA. New York, NY. Park, Michael A. 2008. Introducing anthropology an integrated approach. Fourth edition. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY. Shipman, Pat. 2012. Fossils. The new scientist. Vol. 215, Issue 2876, p. 8-16. Anthropology Anthropology is the scientific study of humans as social organisms and how they interact with each other in a social gathering or community set up. It entails the study of humans past, present and evolution of the cultural, physical stature, linguistic traits and archaeology. An anthropologist interest lies in comprehending human diversity and way of life in an explicit manner. The four main branches of anthropology which include biological, cultural, archaeology and linguistic clearly elaborate what it entails to be human (Lavenda-2013). Biological anthropology talks of how the evolution of humans is genetically influenced and not enhanced by the surroundings. Cultural anthropology is centered on the study of structural system of individuals sharing a common belief or norm. Linguistic anthropology majorly revolves round the psychology of speech, structure and function in humans. Lastly, archaeology is based on the systematic revealing of fossils through excavation, dating the fossils to determine the period of usage and analysis. Anthropology mainly seeks to familiarize the unfamiliar with proven facts and provide knowledge that deciphers facts from fiction.Cultural anthropology is a very enticing concept of anthropology because it does not only enable one to accept and appreciate cultural diversity but also develop globally conscious individuals. As mentioned earlier, this aspect of anthropology explicitly studies human cultures, belief, daily routine, values, ideas, technical economies and domains of social and cognitive organization (Lavenda-2010). There are two means by which an anthropologist can study culture due to its abstract nature; empiricist approach, whereby he mainly relies on observation of the human behavior in a particular community set-up and subjective approach in which the researcher understands the structure of ideas and meanings that exist in a member a certain culture. The primitive perception that I personally had about humanity has been scraped off as a result of the in-depth study of cultural anthropology. Individuals and communities were initially characterized by their social, economical and political factors within their localities. Evolutionism has showed a conceptual comprise due to the easy interaction of individuals as a result of the modern evolution of technology that has made every corner of the world accessible to any person. The level of interactions between individuals from a similar ecology niche has almost become non-existence due to the replacement with television programs, movies and social electronic devices. Despite this, the social interaction circle has grown larger as a result of technology which enables an individual interact with more people different from parts of the world over a short period of time. This study has personally helped me get over the notion that Muslims are associated with terrorism. I initially felt fear when I was in an environment filled with Muslims; well, not Muslims alone but any individual wearing a veil. This mostly applied to Muslim women that wear the veils covering up their faces, leaving out the eyes. I can attribute this fear from to the society I grew in; I was used to my Christian community before I came to campus. The laws and beliefs we had were so strict that we feared other dominions, this seclusion was driven into us by the clergy; to make us believe that people that had different beliefs and practices were potential risks and could harm us at any time. The primitive notion that was instilled in me always had a bearing to this question; if they are good people, why do they find it relevant to cover their faces that much? The definite answer was that they had something to hide; not only secrets but sinister motives. Religious profiling and the threats that came to our country and get aired on national television also cultivated the fear in me. It would have never reached this point if my parents would not have been reacting to the issue with so much disgust as they used to do. My elementary and high school environments were more or less the same because all my schooling up to university level were based in the same strictly Christian district. There were some primitive practices we used to do that I now see them to have been very hurting if not shameful to the face of evolution and humanity at large; there was no shaking of hands or exchanging pleasantries with non-Christians, no accepting gifts from them and worst still, avoid all conversations. I can't imagine that I would literally snob them! I must admit that I had a tough time adjusting to the campus environment. I was always tensed in my first semesters when a non Christian would sit next t me. I remember a particular case when I came to a lecture late and found all seats occupied except one; next to Sikh, I literally missed that 2 hour lecture and had to struggle with my continuous assessment test. It is during that course that I made a turning point and my point was later boosted when I got to learn about anthropology. The struggle I had in my first continuous assessment test was the same one I had in the second. Ironically, the Sikh boy who I was evading was the same one that noticed my problem and came to help. At first I was adamant but with lack of options I thought; why not give it a try. I must admit that that is the sweetest memory I hold dear and use it to enlighten my rural folk later on. With that act of compassion I learnt that religion does or dress code does not define someone's character. Study of anthropology has helped know the value that I hold about my culture and the justifications I give to the are the same ones that any other person would give in support to their religion and culture. It also taught me that judging or profiling others because f ethnicity and background is a heinous notion; if everyone was to discriminate then the world would be an unbearable place to stay. All we could be witnessing are endless fights and ultimate wars. Cultural anthropology thus, aims at enabling the native of a particular culture objectively and rationally understands their own culture to deduce what makes them stand out from the other cultural groups hence upholding the aspect of self acceptance. Besides, it enables one apply the knowledge gained from familiarizing with different cultures to alleviate human challenges and misconceptions rather than causing ethnic conflicts. The collective study of different cultures enables scholars to identify the similarities and unique aspect of various cultures, hence embracing diversity.References:Robert H LavendaCore concept in cultural anthropologyRobert H LavendaAnthropology: What does it mean to be human? Anthropology â€Å"From ruttier to rummies: A Contribution toward the Ethnography of Peeling. † In Cultural Anthropology: A Sampler. Up. :19-22. 2. Elliot Rolling objectives for the article were to observe male urinating behaviors In public restrooms. I believe he did meet his objectives because he was able to observe them Pee. 3. As stated before, the method that Rings used to research his topic was to observe males urinate. I feel Like watching people pee could make people uncomfortable, mad, or actually elate their privacy.Although, the only way to actually understand the culture behind males urinating is to actually observe their behaviors so I think that his method was inappropriate but necessary. 4. The author's findings started off not in the bathroom, but actually led up to why a male goes into the bathroom. While in a social group, one must withdraw themselves from the group by some sort of excuse or statement like saying, â€Å"l have to go to the bathroom. † He further di scusses that bathrooms could also be used as a social setting.For example, in high school hanging UT in the hall ways was not allowed, yet if students met up in the bathrooms, they could hangout and talk without the disturbance of a teacher. Going on, he discovers that â€Å"peeing is the activity primarily intended by†¦ Males†. He discovers that men prefer to have there own personal space of one urinal to the left and right. This becomes violated when one another know each other. Another key fact that Rings realizes is that during the act of peeing, one must look forward and keep they're eyes to themselves.If one was to look at another man, this might â€Å"invite the suspicion of nonsexual interest. † Also, he notices the â€Å"shaking of the penis† to get the last drops out, even though no matter how much shaking you do, when you finish up and walk out the bathroom, the last drops of pee come out and onto your pants. He concludes that Americans value thr ee things: privacy, masculinity, and cool. And infers that â€Å"elimination patters are intimately linked with a cultures system of values. † 5. I think that the significance of the work is trying to understand how people learn the etiquette of using the bathroom without formally being taught.In class we learned bout ethnography, which is the description of a culture through an observer. In the article, a man was observing males Pee. 6. I evaluate this work as an Interesting topic because many people would not think twice about the fact that there was so much that went Into public etiquette. If I were conducting this experiment I would have test subject stand at certain urinals and see which urinals random strangers would consistently use to get better and accurate Information. Anthropology By agrarian 2 October 2013 1. Orrin Elliot 1975 â€Å"From Ruttier to Rummies: A Contribution toward the Ethnography of Peeing.In Cultural Anthropology: A Sampler. Up. Elliot Rings objec tives for the article were to observe male urinating behaviors in public restrooms. I believe he did feel like watching people pee could make people uncomfortable, mad, or actually realizes is that during the act of peeing, one must look forward and keep they're eyes article, a man was observing males Pee. 6. I evaluate this work as an interesting topic that went into public etiquette. If I were conducting this experiment I would have test consistently use to get better and accurate information.