Cultural Anthropology 2022

  Religious systems are along with language, the most obvious symbolic systems in culture. The definition of religion in anthropology must be broad enough to cover all of the varieties of religion that exist across cultures.It is strongly linked to political systems in that it reflects and supports the political system in which it is contained. LINK TO VIDEO CLIPS A system of belief which explains the NATURE OF REALITY (worldview) and humanity's place within it. Religious systems also provide a set of guidelines for proper BEHAVIOR (how to be a good human being) consistent with this explanation. Usually religion DOES involve belief in a SUPERNATURAL, but notice that in this definition it is absent. Functions of Religion: Social Functions primary tool for education creates social cohesion means of social control Psychological Functions  relieves stress-provides answers answers questions about the unknown (philosophical questions answered) provides a "path" and thereby elim

  Adaptation:   the process by which organisms achieve beneficial adjustments to their available environment. Human beings exhibit a very high level of  PLASTICITY  (adaptability to many environments). They do this not through the process of genetic evolution, but through CULTURE! Culture is a adaptive system. ECOSYSTEM:  a system or functioning whole composed of both physical environment and organisms that live in it. each has a  CARRYING CAPACITY.  This is defined as the number of human beings it can support due to its  limiting resource(s) . Although you do not need to memorize the ecosystems in your text, notice that there are adaptation that are impossible or very difficult in some ecosystems. They may also have low carrying capacities for human beings and may entail major alterations of the environment to support them. these can be a great strain on the environment. tundra desert grassland temperate forest mountain zones icelands Two basic kinds of subsistence systems. Food Gathe

  Political systems   are the means through which a society maintains soscial order and reduces social disorder.To accomplish this, political systems act to do the following: SOCIAL CONTROL CONFLICT RESOLUTION  (when order is disturbed and conflict arises) This enatils having vested POWER. Power   is the ability to choose your own fate and the fate of others. Types of Power: Legitimate :  This is power vested in consensus. It is based on ones ability to persuade others. Coercive :  This is power vested in force or threat of force. Aspects of power: Informal:   Also known as "influence", not vested by the social structure.Exercised informally. Formal:  Clearly vested by the social structure, exercised formally under rules. KINDS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS: Decentralized Systems Band nomadic hunters & gatherers informal leadership based on individual qualities and skills situational  emphasis on group HARMONY (resolving conflicts) & CONSENSUS, rather than adhering to abstract

  Definition : A system in which goods and services are PRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED and EXCHANGED All economic activity has   CULTURAL MEANING , and economic processes can not be understood without considering culture. How does Culture set the RULES and determine the MEANINGS and VALUES assigned to objects and actions? sentimental value religious/ritual value asthetic value (art) Desirability fad/fashion/vogue exclusivity sameness political correctness fame antiquity/novelty PRODUCTION: How does culture assign rules and meanings to production? CONTROL OF RESOURCES Patterns of labor sexual division of labor flexibility versus rigid segregation dual systems caste (varna) age commencement of work special stages of work retirement SPECIALIZATION Generalized: everyone performs the same tasks (exception= age & sex) h/g horticultural societies (small, plant based) Part-time specialization pastoral large horticultural Full-time specialization agriculture (agrarian & industrial) Cooperation H

  There are levels of relationship beyond those of either affinal on consanguineal ties.These are groupings by age, sex, and common interest. AGE & SEX: all cultures make distinctions based on age & sex (as we learned when we spoke about division of labor) SEX:  degree of sexual segregation living arrangements division of labor menstruation taboos symbolic segregation rigidity of sex roles hunters and gatherers (flexible) horticulturalists (rigid) institutionalized homosexuality & sexual ambuguity symbolic value placed on sex roles & activities which carry greater prestige, men's or women's roles? • Iroquois example • matrilineal society, matrilocal   • women were in charge of the economy, of the house, of subsistence, of inheritance   • men in charge of hunting, warring, raiding, trading, diplomacy   • when men were in the village, they lived with and slept with the women   • men and women were separate-but-equal   • low incidence of intra-group rate • but high