101, Anthropology Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden Boas, Franz- one of the founders of modern anthropology. He studied the Kwakutil language- spoken around the coastal area of Vancouver. Strong believer in linguistic relativity- different grammatical categories produce different categories of thought (opposite of noam chomskys view of universal grammar) Bohannan, Laura / Tiv-Wrote an article called Shakespeare in the Bush which accounts her experience of telling the story of Hamlet to the Tiv in Nigeria. Purpose: she retold the story so that it made sense to their culture- they used art and music to interpret Shakespeare. -Storytelling is a very important art form among the Tiv- they rely on the elders to interpret the symbolism. -Stories dont translate to other cultures -She thought stories were universal, but the Tiv interpreted it differently through their culture Chomsky, Noam- Linguist- Argued that the human brain contains a limited set of rules for organizing language, so that all languages have a common structural basis. (He calls this set of rules: universal grammar) -One Single underlined structure - Creole Languages: More mature languages with developed grammatical rules and native speakers. The fact that languages share certain features confirms the idea that Creoles are based on universal grammar Labov, William- sociolinguist- studied the pronunciations of R in different contexts. Did a famous study 40 yrs ago in department stores (went to department stores of diff. prestige and saw that ppl of higher prestige pronounced R more clearly.) This is the study of phoenetics Lvi-Strauss, Claude / structuralism(Structuralist anthropologist) -Human beings inherently classify things around them in terms of binary. -The patterns of myths are ultimately
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET structured by the mind (so myth can be added in terms of binary) - suggested that myths use structuralism- there is a universal pattern to the structure of mythsderived from the shared structure of the mind: said the same basic elements make up the stories told in all societies (folktales all have similar themes) he said the reason for these similarities is the human brain- the structure of the story derives from the human mind. The human brain that we all have in common leads us all to think similarly -Levi Strauss said people inherently want to classify and order things. Marx, Karl- social theorist (along with max weber) who focused on the stratification systems associated with industrialization. Marx observed England and its industrial capitalism and saw socioeconomic stratification as a sharp and simple division between 2 opposed classes: the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (property-less workers.) The bourgeoisie were the owners of the factories, mines, large farms and other means of production. The proletariat (or working class) were ppl who had to sell labor to survive. -Industrialism hastened proletarianization (the seperation of workers from means of production) The bourgeoisie also dominated the means of communication, schools. -CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS (recognition of collective interests and personal identification with ones economic group) was a vital part of Marxs view of class. He saw bourgeoisie and proletariat as socioeconomic divisions with radically opposed interests. -In the past: the company owners had all the power and workers were propertyless -Today, workers are part-owners but the wealthy still have control-not just company owners but also CEOs of companies. -Modern stratification systems include a middle class of skilled and professional workers. Turner, Victor
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden -updated durkheims idea of bubbling up of c ollective emotional intensity generated by worship as communitas- an intense community spirit, a feeling of great social solidarity, equality, and togetherness. It gives ppl a sense of community with other marginal ppl based on their own liminality -Turner also studied liminality (the inbetween phase of a passage right, for example a GSI) -Turner said as ppl become more complex, liminality is more common- Ppl can exist apart from a rite of passage (can exist in the inbetween state) Weber, Max / Protestant work ethicProtestants worried about saving, investing, and planning for the long term. This enabled the rise of capitalism. They were more concerned with saving up and the future whereas the catholics were worried about the now. Code switching- Speakers sift from one language or dialect to another Spanglish Creole- Develop from pidgins (languages that form in situations of acculturation when diff. societies come into contact and must devise a system of communication.) Eventually, after generations of being spoken, pidgins develop in creole languages. These are more mature languages with developed grammatical rules and native speakers (ppl who learn the language as their primary means of communication.) Ex) Creoles are spoken in several Caribbean societies and Gullah is spoken by African Americans on coastal islands in S. Carolina and Georgia. -Supporting the idea that creoles are based on a universal grammar is the fact that such languages all share certain features. Examples of shared features: All use particles (such as will, was) to form future and paste tenses. All also form questions by changing inflection rather than by changing word order. Diglossia- Language with high (formal) and
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET low (informal, familial) dialects. People employ the high variant at universities and in writing, professions, and the mass media. They use the low variant for ordinary conversation with family members and friends. Ex) Diglossia is the name of the phenomena in Europe where people regularly switch dialects. Ex) We rank certain speech patterns as better/ worse because we recognize that theyre used by groups we also rank (ppl who say dese, dem, dere instead of these, them, there indicate low social rank.) Euphemism- Substitution of an inoffensive word for a more unpleasant one Focal vocabulary Specialized sets of terms and distinctions that are particularly important to certain groups. Grammar- A system of rules for a language. -specifically pertaining to the syntax. Honorifics- Terms used with people, often by being added to their names to honor them. Such terms may convey or imply a status difference between the speaker and the person being referred to. -Americans tend to be less formal than other nationalities, but they still use honorifics such as Mr. Mrs. Dr. Professor etc -Japanese language: -sama is added to a name to show great respect Hypercorrection- correcting a mistake that isnt there Ex) -Ex: You and I vs. You and Me
because it sounds more educated;
Kinesics- Study of communication through body movements and facial expressions. -Related to kinesics is the examination of cultural differences in personal space/displays of affection. -A speakers enthusiam is conveyed not only thru words, but thru facial expressions, gestures, and other signs of animation. -Body movements communicate social differences: Ex) Lower class Brazilians, especially women, offer limp handshakes to their
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden superiors Ex) In Japan, different bows are used depending on social status Ex) In Madagascar and Polynesia, ppl with lower status shouldnt hold their heads above ppl of higher status Lexicon- (or vocabulary) is a languages dictionary- it sets names for things, events, and ideas. (is a dictionary for all of languages morphemes and their meanings.) -Lexicons influence perception. Thus, Eskimos have several distinct words for different types of snow that in English are just called snow. -The Specialized sets of terms and distinctions that are particularly important to certain groups are Focal Vocabulary. (Lexicon is a Part of Linguistics) Minimal pairs- Words that resemble eachother in all but one sound Ex) bat and vat, bin and tin, (strain and plane are not minimal pairs- they have more than one diff. in phonemes) Morpheme- Smallest MEANINGFUL unit of a word. It can be made up of more than one sound (doesnt have to be just one sound lke a phoneme) Ex) Unbreakable- has 3 morphemes: un break able Ex)Teach Teach + er Teach + er + s -The morpheme has to make the word meaningful- cant have: unbreak or teache Morphology- study of morphemes and word construction- Study of internal structures of a word. (part of Linguistics). Phoneme- A sound contrast that makes a difference or differentiates meaning-Smallest sound contrast that distinguishes meaning -We find phonemes in a given language by comparing minimal pairs (words that have totally different meanings but differ by just one sound.) -bit vs beat vowel phoneme: /I/=bit and /i/= beat
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET -There are 3 phonemes in the morpheme able: a b le Merry vs Marry vs Mary Phonemics- Studies only the significant sound contrasts (phonemes) of a given language. -Inside version of speech Ex) How Spanish has rr. Different from r. Ex) In English, [r] and [l] craw vs claw. [b] and [v] bat vs vat. In Spanish, however, [b] and [v] dont distinguish meaning and therefore arent Phonetics- The study of speech sounds in general, what people actually say in various languages. Not what the language is made of but how it sounds- the outside view of a language(Phoenetics is the outsiders perspective of speech) Phoenemics vs Phoenetics: -Phonemics is how language is made up and phoenetics is how the language actually sounds Phonology- Study of a system of distinctive sounds in a language (part of linguistics) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis- idea that different languages produce different patterns of thought- Developed by Edward Sapir and his student Benjamin Lee Whorf. Argued that the grammatical categories of different languages lead their speakers to think about things in particular ways. Contrasts Noam Chomskys view that all languages have a common structural basis. Ex) In English- he, she, him, her distinguish gender whereas the Palaung in Burma do not have words to distinguish gender. The French have an even more complex way to distinguish male and female (la belle fille and le beau fils)This shows that English cant help paying more attention to differences between males and females than do the Palaung. And the French pay more attention to it. Semantics- A languages meaning system. Cultural contrasts and changes affect lexical distinctions (using word like peach instead of salmon) within semantic domains. Style shifting- Varying ones speech in different social contexts.
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden Ex) In Certain parts of Europe people regularly switch dialects. (Relates to Diglossia) Syntax- Study of the arrangement of wordsRules of word order -Colorless green ideas sleep furiously VS Furiously Sleep Ideas Green Colorless -Universal grammar -Bourgeoisie and working class/proletariat Economic positions in the World System Colonialism Long term foreign control of a territory and its people- the political, social, economic and cultural domination of a territory and its ppl by a foreign power for an extended time. Art by appropriation Things placed in the category of art by others. Certain people have the power to make these things into art. Art by intention- All the things that the artist meant to be art -some objects not intended by their makers to be art. some intended for prayer, not for display. (masks, chairs) Art as subversive Art as an expression of protest Ex) Rap or Reggae music Ethnomusicology- Comparitive study of music as an aspect of culture -The field of ethnomusicology unites music and anthropology. The music side involves the study and analysis of the music itself and the instruments used to create it. The anthropology side views music as a way to explore culture, to determine the role (historic and contemporary) that music plays in society and the specific social and cultural features that influence how music is created and performed. -we are taught different musical traditions (some cultures have 3 harmonies) -Ethnology studies non-Western music, traditional, and folk music- Even contemporary and popular music from a cultural perspective. There has to be fieldwork- a firsthand study of particular
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET forms of music, their social functions and cultural meanings within a particular society. Ethnomusicologists talk with local musicians, make recordings in the field, and learn about the place that musical instruments, performers, and performances have in a given society. -When we hear a minor chord it evokes a particular kind of reaction- mournful,sinister -Smooth connected notes feel different from short, choppy notes -Music in videos is important: they can make the character and scene appear in a certain kind of way- if we hear something sweet we will interpret the scene differently. -its heart healthy to listen to the music you enjoy and heart damaging to listen to music you hate Animism- Belief in spiritual beings, souls or doubles- The earliest form of religion -Founder of anthropology of religion, Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, believed that two entities inhabit the body- one active during the day, and the other (a double or soul) active during sleep and trance states. Although they never meet, they are vital to eachother. When the double permanently leaves the body, the person dies. So, death is departure of the soul. Tylor named this animism. Cargo cults Example of Revitalization Movement and Syncretism: Natives had regular contact with White and Westerners Missionaries so their culture changed. Their religion changed, the way they acquired goods. -Missionaries preached Christianity and encouraged locals to attend church, awarding them with material goods (cargo) if they did. The Malenesians tried to obtain wealth (the cargo) that the white western ppl had. -The cargo cult phenomenon was used against the Melanesians -used as a way to keep the locals distracted or diverted -used to justify the need to use colonialism over these irrational people (colonials used cargo cult to their advantage)
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden Communitasgroup that has been separated has a feeling of community and bonding Functions of religion -Intellectual/Cognitive Function Search for order and meaning -Maintains social order religious behaviors about right and rong powerful force for conformity to social norms in society ppl motivated to do what serves the social good social values given sacred authority to provide a reason for whatever the social order is Ex) Ten Commandments social commandments from divine law -Promote Social Solidarity by promoting social order and deciding and individuals place in society, religion can provide people with a sense of identity religion can be basis for regaining a sense of positive self Religion serves emotional functions -it provides an explanation for misfortune: In times of trouble people often look to religion it often works most powerfully for things that seem unfair (when bad things happen to good people) sometimes the most accessible and most adaptive- when causality is not obvious they turn to religion for some groups it is often more important to explain bad fortune than to explain good fortune -religion can also provide comfort in times of distress -religion allays fears and reduces anxiety -religion helps when ppl feel they lack control rituals are performed to call on supernatural
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET beings who are unpredictable and who are also crucial to survival Kwakiutl- Language spoken around the coastal area of Vancouver- still spoken there today- discovered by Franz Boas Liminality Being in an in-between state- in between statuses, rites of passage, ordinary distinctions - Liminal ppl occupy ambiguous social positions. They exist apart from ordinary distinctions and expectations, living in a time out of time. They are cut off from normal social contacts. -middle stage between one status and another status Example: GSI (not a student but not a teacher) -Turner said as ppl become more complex, liminality becomes constitutionalized. Ppl can exist apart from a rite of passage. Magic- one of the most widespread forces used to control natural forces, supernatural techniques used to accomplish specific goals, employed most in situations of greatest uncertainty. Mana -Sacred Impersonal Force. Kotak said: Similar to our concept of luck -can be found in objects which then become a sort of a lucky charm. Ex) Melanesians believe that mana can reside in ppl, animals, plants, and objects. Melanesian mana was similar to our notion of luck- objects with mana could change ppls luck. Ex) - refer to rocks as having mana and making sweet potatos grow Myth -traditional narritives that are often sacred and are handed down over the generations -recount ppls beliefs and teach social order -to study myths: structuralism (introduced by anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss) - suggested there is a universal pattern to the structure of myths- derived from the shared
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden structure of the mind: said the same basic elements make up the stories told in all societies (folktales all have similar themes) he said the reason for these similarities is the human brainthe structure of the story derives from the human mind. The human brain that we all have in common leads us all to think similarly universal characteristics: -need to classify, impose order -people are hardwired to want to put things into opposite categories (day and night, male and female) -bridge between opposites (sometimes a character that brings 2 opposites together, narratives of all sorts are filled with these intermediate sourcespeople who are part human and part divine, zombies who are neither alive nor dead) Revitalization movements -Occur due to reaction of oppression or rapid culture change. Ex) Cargo Cult Phenomenon -Also relates to syncretism- (blending of culture due to ongoing contact between cultures) Rites of passage -Customs associated with change in status or change in stage of life -Ex) Bat Mitzvah, Getting Married, Pledging a sorority, Boyhood to manhood -Have three phases 2 distinct categories with a transitional phase inbetween them: 1. seperation- people withdraw from the group 2.liminality- people cut off normal social contacts, occupy ambiguous position 3.incorporation- ceremony marking your incorporation back into society with your new status Syncretism -Blending of cultural influences emerging from ongoing contact -Combine elements of cultural beliefs with other things -Blending of old things and new things -opressors become oppressed, (or opposite) Taboo- sacred and forbidden; prohibition
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET backed by supernatural sanctions. Ex) Because high chiefs in Melanasia had so much mana, their bodies and possessions were taboo (sacred and off-limits to many ppl) Social construction of illness -Illness & Health are cultural constructions -a medical system= explanatory -theory of disease- beliefs about healing and illness reflect world view- each culture has different reasoning for why you get sick and has diff methods for how to get rid of it -system of caring/curing -medicine -what makes miserable happen?how do we get rid of it? medical anthropology and biotechnologyex) ultra soundsmothers feel closer to their babyies after seeing the ultra sounds (even though its unnecessary- its a cultural tradition) Historical influences in the development of medical anthropology Medical Anthropology: The application of anthropological theories and methods to questions of health, illness, medicine, and healing (coining and spooning looks like abuse but its actually a cultural healing tradition) 4 Historical Influences: Biological Anthropology Biological Perspectve: Biological and Ecological Aspects of health in their social settings Early Ethnographic Fieldwork Culture and Personality School -National Character: Every culture has a basic refuted personality -Cross-Cultural Studies of Mental Illness
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden International Public Health Movement After WWII -Boiling water before you drink it (still put it in dirty containers) -Program to eradicate flies
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Culture Sketches Haiti: language use -2 languages are spoken in Haiti but they are not equal. The official language of Haiti is French but it is spoken by only 10% of the population. Creole is spoken by the other 90%. -This lopsided distribution shows how Haitian society disadvantages the masses by privileging the few. In colonial times, French was regarded as the higher language and Creole the language of the subordinate and African slaves. -linguists dont refer to Haiti as bilingual but: a bilingual minority elevating one language as the language of power. -this linguistic divide does not truly appear at the level of communication. All Haitians, even the few who speak French, all speak Creole. There is power attatched to French, but creole expresses the richness of Haitian culture and passes along its oral traditions. Ojibwa: religion- religion is bound up with distinctive features of dreaming, fasting, visions, and most importantly the relationship with the grandfathers (the other-than-human beings) -Religion is based around the grandfathers or the other-than-human beings. This is an example of their Animism. -- grandfathers can offer help to human beings and a good life -primary contact between the grandfathers and other ppl is achieved during dreaming (primary important state for Ojibwas) --World experienced while dreaming is not one of fantasy- it is another chance for reflective thought. -To facilitate visionary dreams, boys
especially were to fast, during which they would be visited by the grandfathers who would give blessings of knowledge, and bestow power. -The Ojibwa find a strong link between humans and the other-than-human spirits because both classes of persons are bound by the same moral order and have shared values. -One of the values they share is the importance mutual exchange: guardian spirits give blessings/knowledge to their human grandchildren; they have an excess of power and they must share it. -also share value of egalitarianism- value sharing and distribution of goods. -Have a fear of falling ill -Ojibwa pass on their central values through myths. -Power is a recurrent theme- especially power possessed and granted by grandfathers. One power possessed by both humans and grandfathers: metamorphasis. -Ojibwa view themselves as being people who live in a broad society with other-thanhuman people. Kaluli: gisaro: , Steven Feld and birdsong : (Province of Papau New Guinea) Gisaro: -dancers have the power to cause anguish in their audience members by the powerful emotions they evoke. This leads to the audience burning the dancers with flaming torches. Important ceremony that involves dancers, the dancers have to prepare for a long time before, it happens at night in their long houses, it lasts all night and all the dancers are dressed the same so when one gets tired they can switch for eachother, they sing and perform heartbreaking songs and dances so the audience starts crying but they dont stop so the hosts pick up torches and start burning the dancers. They get 2nd degree burns -its their way to express their world in terms of beauty, violence, and tragedy
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden -Steven Feld and birdsong: -Weeping and singing are bound together. There are many Wept Songs usually about a lost love one. -Men begin with a high-pitched wail which turns into an imitation of the call of the muni bird. -Weeping is more common for women, however. Although both men and women cry similarly in response to a moving song, women are more likely to blend weeping and singing into a sung text of a wept song. (while sadness moves both men and women to weeping, it is weeping that moves women to wept song) -disappointment, frustruation and pity connected Roma: imaginary gypsy, stereotypes and their uses: -Romani people became very mobile due to Western Europeans publicization of them being gypsies and unproductive vagrants. Because of this, the stereotypes of Roma in Western Europe portray a nomadic, illiterate people. -In Central Europe, gypsies are often imprisoned because they dont have settlements so they are viewed as low-status and impoverished. -Literature, poetry, folk stories, paintings and songs make gypsies seem exotic and generalize the gypsy way of life. -18th century view of gypsies is of criminals, fortunetellers and uncivilized people. These are the gypsies who steal children and put curses on ppl. -19th century- Industrialism: Rejected the stereotype of the gypsy wanderer who was not bound by factory work, but carefree and living only for the present. -Constructed image of the gypsy: Fiery and tempestuous, passionately musical, brightly clothed, free spirits Use of stereotype: When someone uses the expression to gyp someone- it means to cheat them. Or in movies and children books have characters of gypsies.
Third hourly exam REVIEW SHEET Films Life and Debt- Jamaica now has fast food. No new hospitals have been built for many years. They can only spend so much money on health and education. Jamaica needed to expand their exports and decrease their imports. Does not have a proper way of disposing of sewage. All food in Jamaica comes from a ship from Miami. Jamaica doesnt want America and other places to force their ideas on them- they want their market back. Big market for sewing for women in Jamaica. Tourism is also a big market- ppl get jobs at hotel and as security guards for hotels. There were violent protests over fuel in Jamaica. Graffiti Verit- Graffiti becomes a way of life for some people- people practicing graffiti think about surviving- other people attack them because they think theyre stealing their spotlight with graffitti Porraimos: Europes Gypsies in the Holocaust
Linguistics (scientific study of a spoken language)- Involves several interreleated areas: Phonology, Morphology, Lexicon, and Syntax Sociolinguistics- Studies language in its social context Relate to eachother: Lexiconx and Focal Vocabulary: Lexicon: A languages dictionary- names for things,ppl,places Focal Vocabulary- special terms that are purposeful to a certain culture (Eskimos and snow) Style Shifting and Diglossia: Style Shifting- changing ones dialect and in diffeent social contexts
Anthropology 101, Fall 2010 Prof. Peters-Golden Diglossia: Language with high dialect and low dialect (phenom. In Europe) Myth: Stories passed down through generations that are often sacred. Universal Characteristics: -People need to classify/order things -Medium between opposites -People put things into binary or opposites rites of passage: -customs associated with change in status colonialism: -long term foreign control of a territory and its people Haiti and language use: Has 2 languages: French and creole Animism: belief in spiritual beings, souls, and doubles
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