An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Cultural anthropology, also known as sociocultural anthropology, is the study of cultures around the world. It is one of four subfields of the academic discipline of anthropology. While anthropology is the study of human diversity, cultural anthropology focuses on cultural systems, beliefs, practices, and expressions. Did You Know? Cultural anthropology is one of the four subfields of anthropology. The other subfields are archaeology, physical (or biological) anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Areas of Study and Research Questions Cultural anthropologists use anthropological theories and methods to study culture. They study a wide variety of topics, including identity, religion, kinship, art, race, gender, class, immigration, diaspora, sexuality, globalization, social movements, and many more. Regardless of their specific topic of study, however, cultural anthropologists focus on patterns and systems of belief, social organization, and cultural practice. Some of the research questions considered by cultural anthropologists include: How do different cultures understand universal aspects of the human experience, and how are these understandings expressed?How do understandings of gender, race, sexuality, and disability vary across cultural groups?What cultural phenomena emerge when different groups come into contact, such as through migration and globalization?How do systems of kinship and family vary among different cultures?How do various groups distinguish between taboo practices and mainstream norms?How do different cultures use ritual to mark transitions and life stages? History and Key Figures Cultural anthropology’s roots date back to the 1800s, when early scholars like Lewis Henry Morgan and Edward Tylor became interested in the comparative study of cultural systems. This generation drew on the theories of Charles Darwin, attempting to apply his concept of evolution to human culture. They were later dismissed as so-called â€Å"armchair anthropologists,† since they based their ideas on data collected by others and did not personally engage first-hand with the groups they claimed to study. These ideas were later refuted by Franz Boas, who is widely hailed as the father of anthropology in the U.S. Boas strongly denounced the armchair anthropologists’ belief in cultural evolution, arguing instead that all cultures had to be considered on their own terms and not as part of a progress model. An expert in the indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest, where he participated in expeditions, he taught what would become the first generation of American anthropologists as a professor at Columbia University. His students included Margaret Mead, Alfred Kroeber, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ruth Benedict. Boas’ influence continues in cultural anthropology’s focus on race and, more broadly, identity as forces that are social constructed and not biologically based. Boas fought staunchly against the ideas of scientific racism that were popular in his day, such as phrenology and eugenics. Instead, he attributed differences between racial and ethnic groups to social factors. After Boas, anthropology departments became the norm in U.S. colleges and universities, and cultural anthropology was a central aspect of study. Students of Boas went on to establish anthropology departments across the country, including Melville Herskovits, who launched the program at Northwestern University, and Alfred Kroeber, the first professor of anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley. Margaret Mead went on to become internationally famous, both as an anthropologist and scholar. The field grew in popularity in the U.S. and elsewhere, giving way to new generations of highly influential anthropologists like Claude Là ©vi-Strauss and Clifford Geertz. Together, these early leaders in cultural anthropology helped solidify a discipline focused explicitly on the comparative study of world cultures. Their work was animated by a commitment to true understanding of different systems of beliefs, practice, and social organization. As a field of scholarship, anthropology was committed to the concept of cultural relativism, which held that all cultures were fundamentally equal and simply needed to be analyzed according to their own norms and values. The main professional organization for cultural anthropologists in North America is the Society for Cultural Anthropology, which publishes the journal Cultural Anthropology. Methods Ethnographic research, also known as ethnography, is the primary method used by cultural anthropologists.  The hallmark component of ethnography is participant observation, an approach often attributed to Bronislaw Malinowski. Malinowski was one of the most influential early anthropologists, and he pre-dated Boas and the early American anthropologists of the 20th century. For Malinowski, the anthropologist’s task is to focus on the details of everyday life. This necessitated living within the community being studied- known as the fieldsite- and fully immersing oneself in the local context, culture, and practices. According to Malinowski, the anthropologist gains data by both participating and observing, hence the term participant observation. Malinowski formulated this methodology during his early research in the Trobriand Islands and continued to develop and implement it throughout his career. The methods were subsequently adopted by Boas and, later, Boas’ students. This methodology became one of the defining characteristics of contemporary cultural anthropology. Contemporary Issues in Cultural Anthropology While the traditional image of cultural anthropologists involves researchers studying remote communities in faraway lands, the reality is far more varied. Cultural anthropologists in the twenty-first century conduct research in all types of settings, and can potentially work anywhere that humans live. Some even specialize in digital (or online) worlds, adapting ethnographic methods for today’s virtual domains. Anthropologists conduct fieldwork all around the world, some even in their home countries. Many cultural anthropologists remain committed to the discipline’s history of examining power, inequality, and social organization. Contemporary research topics include the influence of historical patterns of migration and colonialism on cultural expression (e.g. art or music) and the role of art in challenging the status quo and effecting social change. Where Do Cultural Anthropologists Work? Cultural anthropologists are trained to examine patterns in daily life, which is a useful skill in a wide range of professions. Accordingly, cultural anthropologists work in a variety of fields. Some are researchers and professors in universities, whether in anthropology departments or other disciplines like ethnic studies, women’s studies, disability studies, or social work. Others work in technology companies, where there is an increasing demand for experts in the field of user experience research. Additional common possibilities for anthropologists include nonprofits, market research, consulting, or government jobs. With broad training in qualitative methods and data analysis, cultural anthropologists bring a unique and diverse skill set to a variety of fields. Sources McGranahan, Carol. On Training Anthropologists Rather Than Professors Dialogs, Cultural Anthropology website, 2018.Social and Cultural Anthropology Discover Anthropology UK, The Royal Anthropological Institute, 2018.What is Anthropology? American Anthropological Association, 2018.

Leo Soul Mates Scorpions Essays

Leo Soul Mates Scorpions Essays Leo Soul Mates Scorpions Essay Leo Soul Mates Scorpions Essay The beauty of a Scorpio woman is exceptional, mysterious and totally magnetic. She knows that and is proud of herself. She will control her wish to dominate and will let a man lead in a relationship, atleast during courtship. She knows how to hypnotize a man and gets successful, more often than not. Dont expect a Scorpio female to rush into your arms in front of a thousand people and shout her feelings at the top of her voice. Instead, she will come close to you, glance at you in a sensual way and whisper the most romantic words in a seductive tone. If you are not sincere with your feelings, dont even try to get close to a Scorpio girl. With those beautiful, penetrating eyes of hers, she can read exactly what is on your mind. She can easily make out your real intentions, so Dont Flirt. It will amount to insulting her and I assure you, insulting her is not at all good for your health. Even when her tone is soothing, her disposition kind and her smile generous, she can be planning the most powerful retaliation. When a Scorpio woman is insulted or gets hurt, her fury knows no bounds. Then, she can become the most hard-hearted and most sarcastic person on this earth. If she loves with fierce devotion, she hates with devastating malice. If you are really in love with her, then you need to know more about her. She has a very hypnotic gaze and the moment her eyes meet your, you will go tumbling down in her deep passion. Being noticed by a Scorpio female definitely gives a boost to a mans ego. She needs a man who is stronger than she is and weakness in him wont get her sympathy at all. He will be expected to behave like a real man, who can dominate her and make her proud. At the same time, he should respect her individuality. He should be better looking than average, with an intellect, philosophical and totally masculine. He must also be ambitious and able to handle tough situation with poise. After she gets committed, a Scorpio female will shower you with all her love and attention. Her whole life will start revolving around you and she will be extremely loyal and exceedingly passionate. She is passionate with everything that is related to her. It is almost impossible for her to have neutral feelings. Either she will deeply cherish or fiercely hate. If any of the feelings are not experienced, she will become completely indifferent towards it. Scorpio women, however, never let these feelings show. Her expression will always remain neutral, betraying nothing. Her anger is very bad and its better to get out of her way when it gets out of hand. Her characteristics profile will make her storehouse of secrets, but people wouldnt know any of hers. Her personal life will be out of bounds for everyone. At the same time, she will never tell the secrets that have been confided in her, not even to you. Even with you, she will have a private part and its better not to pry. That does not mean she is dishonest. Infact, she will be so brutally honest that, at times, she may hurt people in the process. Like a typical Scorpio, she will choose her friends very carefully and the credible ones will remain with her throughout her life. She will never maintain a relationship with unworthy people. Determination and will power are her basic personality traits. She can use them anytime to come out of anything that is negative. If you have been able to win the true love of a Scorpio female, you can be sure you will never feel lonely again. She will be totally devoted to you and even if you two dont get married for any reasons beyond your control, her love for you will not change. She is one of those who believe in the phrase Till Death Do Us Apart. Rather than overshadowing her husband, she believes in supporting him. Behind every successful man, there is a woman; this idiom is perfect in case of the husband who has a Scorpio wife. For her, the future, the happiness and the dreams of her husband hold the supreme importance. She will always defend him fiercely in public and wont take nicely to anyone taking advantage of him. She will always encourage him to reach for the stars, build his courage and never let him turn back from midway. Scorpio women love their homes and keep them spic and span. Now comes the dangerous part. A Scorpio girl is extremely jealous and fiercely possessive of her loved ones. She is prone to suspicions; so dont give reasons to be doubtful of you. On the other hand, you will have to control your jealousy, since she will be attracting a lot of members of the opposite sex. She also dislikes being possessed by anyone, including you. In such a scenario, just remember that a Scorpio woman will always be loyal and devoted to you, even in the worst of circumstances. And then, you know you cannot leave her and it is better to adjust to such a trifle thing. Nobody walks away from a Scorpio, right? As far as money is concerned, she will enjoy it whether she saves it in a piggy bank or splurges it on luxurious things. She is very conscious of her social standards and will never compromise in case of status. She likes power and will sacrifice money and many other things for it. She seems to be very practical, but inside she is very emotional. Like all Scorpios, she will not see any viewpoint in case of her own emotions. A Scorpio female has a sense of fairness and justice. If you dont wish her good morning one day after a fight, she will do the same for the next four days. The same goes for generosity also. If you do one kind deed for her, she will do four in return. As a mother, she will extremely possessive of her children and will care for them. However, she may not express her love openly and this is something you will have to teach her. She will make them independent, fair, strong and proud of themselves, the way she is of them. She will encourage them to develop their innate talents and make sure they dont go unnoticed. A Scorpio woman can drown you in her passion. But then, she can also bring you to safety when the raft becomes too dicey. She can provide you her calm and steady support in the worst of circumstances. Once you win her love, you will never be lonely again. Your food will be perfectly baked and she will grind fresh coffee for you. You will always come back to a spotless home, radiating with the aura of her magnetic personality, the charm of her deep beauty and the warmth of her everlasting love!

Odyssey and Victoria Secret Model Essay

Odyssey and Victoria Secret Model Essay Odyssey and Victoria Secret Model Essay Obstacle 1: Opinions Opinions can ruin anybody’s confidence. Once, I dressed up in my new shirt, but a girl came up to me and said, â€Å"Your shirt is so ugly!’’ After that I grabbed my jacket and zipped it up tight. I really thought the shirt looked nice, but one person’s opinion destroyed the confidence I had that day. In the Odyssey, Circe told Odysseus that all his men will perish. If Odysseus told his men about Circe’s opinion about Odysseus’s men then they could have tried to live longer, learn from their mistakes and be a little more careful. Obstacle 2: Bullies Bullying is now seen worldwide and has stripped away every ounce of confidence one person might have possessed. I’ve experienced many years of being bullied and my self-esteem has evaporated. Many people can’t handle the effects of bullying so they call on a greater force to help stop it such as a god, a teacher or parents. The Odyssey has a great example of bullies like when Odysseus taunted the Cyclops while escaping. The Cyclops felt weak because he was defeated by a puny mortal. The Cyclops had to call upon his father, Poseidon, for help to destroy Odysseus and his men. Obstacle 3: Society (Media) The social media has conducted itself to make everyone believe that beauty is created with adding pounds of makeup and prancing around like a Victoria Secret Model. Cover Girl has changed its slogan to ‘’Easy, Breezy, Better’’ instead of the classic ‘’Easy, Breezy, Beautiful.’’ This is a simple example of how society is changing the way ‘beauty’ is seen and breaking down every girl and boys’ confidence including mine. In comparison to The Odyssey, Odysseus believes he has to be tough like when he saw his dead mother in the underworld. He didn’t cry because he wanted to stay strong and continue to find Tiresias. Obstacle 4: Influences (Peer pressure) Influences can only lead to bad decisions. Many of my friends have influenced me to try new things such as a different style. But, it didn’t suit me so I chose my own thing. Odysseus’s men have a habit of drinking and while under the influence they’d make bad choices. Eurylochus, one of Odysseus’s men, told everybody that dying of hunger is

Visit the Ringed Planet Saturn

Visit the Ringed Planet Saturn The Beauty of Saturn Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and among the most beautiful in the solar system. Its named after the Roman god of agriculture. This world, which is the second largest planet, is most famous for its ring system, which is visible even from Earth. You can spot it with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope fairly easily. The first astronomer to spot those rings was Galileo Galilei. He saw them through his home-built telescope in the year 1610. From Handles to Rings Galileos use of the telescope was a boon to the science of astronomy. Although he didnt realize the rings were separate from Saturn, he  did describe them in his observing logs as handles, which piqued the interest of other astronomers. In 1655, Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens observed them and was the first to determine that these odd objects were actually rings of material circling the planet. Before that time, people were quite puzzled that a world could have such odd attachments.   Saturn, the Gas Giant The atmosphere of Saturn is made up of hydrogen (88 percent) and helium (11 percent) and traces of methane, ammonia, ammonia crystals. Trace amounts of ethane, acetylene, and phosphine are also present. Often confused with a star when viewed with the naked eye, Saturn can be clearly seen with a telescope or binoculars. Exploring Saturn Saturn has been explored on location by the Pioneer 11 and Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, as well as the Cassini Mission. The Cassini spacecraft also dropped a probe onto the surface of the largest moon, Titan. It returned images of a frozen world, encased in an icy water-ammonia mix. In addition, Cassini has found plumes of water ice blasting from Enceladus (another moon), with particles that end up in the planets E ring. Planetary scientists have considered other missions to Saturn and its moons, and more may well fly in the future.   Saturn Vital Statistics MEAN RADIUS: 58232 kmMASS: 95.2 (Earth1)DENSITY: 0.69 (g/cm^3)GRAVITY: 1.16 (Earth1)ORBIT PERIOD: 29.46 (Earth years)ROTATION PERIOD: 0.436 (Earth days)SEMIMAJOR AXIS OF ORBIT: 9.53 auECCENTRICITY OF ORBIT: 0.056 Satellites of Saturn Saturn has dozens of moons. Here is a list of the largest known ones. PanDistance (000km) 134 - Radius (km) 10 - Mass (kg) ? - Discovered By Year Showalter 1990 AtlasDistance (000km) 138 - Radius (km) 14 - Mass (kg) ? - Discovered By Year Terrile 1980 PrometheusDistance (000km) 139 - Radius (km) 46 - Mass (kg) 2.70e17 - Discovered By Year Collins 1980 PandoraDistance (000km) 142 - Radius (km) 46 - Mass (kg) 2.20e17 - Discovered By Year Collins 1980 EpimetheusDistance (000km) 151 - Radius (km) 57 - Mass (kg) 5.60e17 - Discovered By Year Walker 1980 JanusDistance (000km) 151 - Radius (km) 89 - Mass (kg) 2.01e18 - Discovered By Year Dollfus 1966 MimasDistance (000km) 186 - Radius (km) 196 - Mass (kg) 3.80e19 - Discovered By Year Herschel 1789 EnceladusDistance (000km) 238 - Radius (km) 260 - Mass (kg) 8.40e19 - Discovered By Year Herschel 1789 TethysDistance (000km) 295 - Radius (km) 530 - Mass (kg) 7.55e20 - Discovered By Year Cassini 1684 TelestoDistance (000km) 295 - Radius (km) 15 - Mass (kg) ? Reitsema - Discovered By Year 1980 CalypsoDista nce (000km) 295 - Radius (km) 13 - Mass (kg) ? Pascu - Discovered By Year 1980 DioneDistance (000km) 377 - Radius (km) 560 - Mass (kg) 1.05e21 - Discovered By Year Cassini 1684 HeleneDistance (000km) 377 - Radius (km) 16 - Mass (kg) ? - Discovered By Year Laques 1980 RheaDistance (000km) 527 - Radius (km) 765 - Mass (kg) 2.49e21 Cassini 1672 TitanDistance (000km) 1222 - Radius (km) 2575 - Mass (kg) 1.35e23 - Discovered By Year Huygens 1655 HyperionDistance (000km) 1481 - Radius (km) 143 - Mass (kg) 1.77e19 - Discovered By Year Bond 1848 IapetusDistance (000km) 3561 - Radius (km) 730 - Mass (kg) 1.88e21 - Discovered By Year Cassini 1671 PhoebeDistance (000km) 12952 - Radius (km) 110 - Mass (kg) 4.00e18 - Discovered By Year Pickering 1898 Updated by Carolyn Collins Petersen.

Administration and Executive Support Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Administration and Executive Support - Essay Example The customers count on the company to deliver exceptional services each day and connect them with the world as well as steer their businesses and in their quest to satisfy customers, they need a good managerial structure. An administrative assistant in the company is responsible for administrative as well as clerical duties to run the organization efficiently. These tasks include co-ordination of the administrative activities, retrieving, storing and integrating and relaying information to staff and clients. As a result, administrative assistants must possess certain qualities and skills that will help them carry out duties efficiently in line with the goals and objectives of the company. Key qualities and skills of an administrative assistant Good communication is not only the backbone but also an asset to every business, and thus, an administrative assistant must possess excellent communication skills. Outstanding communication skills coupled with proper listening skills, gives the administrative assistant an ability to form good interpersonal relationships and know how to interact with people since they are in direct contact with customers and clients of the company. Other skills needed by an administrative assistant are organizational and time management skills. Since administrative assistants have multiple jobs and constantly multi-task, organization skills as well as the ability to pay attention to things are a must have qualities. These help them keep track of the duties and everything that is happening and prioritize the tasks, which can only be achieved by excellent time management skills. Confidentiality, dependability and reliability are other qualities that an administrative assistant should possess. They must show high level of or reliability and dependability since they are charged with numerous tasks and responsibilities. Administrative assistants interact with customers directly and so they are bound to know information about their customers thu s they are required to be able to keep the information safe and not be the chief gossipers in the office. They should also be very knowledgeable on the company’s products so that they present precise and non conflicting information to clients. They should also exhibit good customer service orientation, personal appearance, attitude and competence since they interact with client or customers on a daily basis. In addition, a good administrative assistant must have certain traits such as honesty, respect, flexibility, trustworthiness and sound work ethics. There are significant because their close interaction with managers allows them to hold crucial information that must be protected and these qualities form the pillar to safeguarding such information. Individual Action Plan Method Details When? Why? Outcome Virtual training Training on virtual methods of working May, 2012 Help in becoming a virtual administrative assistance Public Relations Participation involves external stak eholders June, 2012 Learn how to interact with external stakeholders Leadership development management Participants are placed in three diverse work assignments August, 2012 Develop competitive leadership skills and experience to perform well. ICT Involve learning new IT services September Keep up with the changing ICT technologies Record keeping Training on methods and ways of keeping records October Lear how to arrange and keep records in orderly manner Stakeholder refers to a person, an organization or a group of people who have direct and indirect contact with the organization and is affected or affect policies, actions and objectives of that organization. These group and people include customers, supplies and distributers, shareholders, the local

Fundametals of pedagogy assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Fundametals of pedagogy assignment - Essay Example A significant factor concerned in meeting these objectives is motivation. If learners are not motivated in one way or another, then it is most expected that little or no learning will occur, or, if, by any chance, some learning occurs, then it is likely that it will not be retained for future use. Educational theories have great influence on educational structure. In order to capitalise on the success of individual and school-wide, classroom teaching programs, teachers and school administrators should consider students needs, as well as their hierarchical order (Mead, 2009). This should be a top priority in the creation of such programs so that learners can have the ability to reach their most prime level of potential. For instance, if a learner/student does not feel comfortable with the class-room environment, his/her classmates, feels hungry, then the student/learner will not be in a capacity to concentrate well on learning. The student will be preoccupied with these agitations. A number of learning theories (social learning, Behaviorism and Jean Piaget among others) can rectify this as they can help a student understand the best way they can learn in order to make education effective to them (Tough, 2003). Learning is one of the most significant actions in which humans partake. It is the central goal of the educational procedure, even though most of what individuals learn happens outside of school. Comprehending any theory needs a clear thought of what the theory is trying to clarify. When a certain word is applied, individuals normally think everyone has a similar understanding of what the word signifies. Sadly, this is not the case always. In trying to comprehend the numerous theories of learning and their effects to education, it is useful to understand that the phrase â€Å"learning† means diverse things to diverse people and is applied fairly differently in diverse theories (Tough, 2003). As theories of learning developed over the past half-centu ry, descriptions of learning modified from transformations, which happen in the brain or actions of a person to changes in participation in enduring activities with other people to transform in an individual’s identity in a group (for instance, a change to being a leader from being a follower). Even though, a majority of definitions of learning entail a change in a person’s knowledge, capacity to carry out a skill, or take part in an event with other people, there are significant differences among the theories concerning the nature of this amend (Tough, 2003). This paper will apply two educational theories – social learning and behaviorism – to an educational experience that I have associated with and critically examine how well these two theories account for that experience. Social Learning Mary, a 37 year old Nigerian woman living with HIV/AIDs, was acknowledged by From the Ground Up – a group that is involved in building HIV/AIDs programs to hel p both those who are affected, as well as infected with the virus – for her outstanding service who elevate people from the illness. Her story mainly reflects the social learning theory (peer education), which I find extremely significant to associate with as HIV/AIDs is a disease that has affected many in our world today. Mary states that her personal

Role of Police with Reference to Community Issues Essay

Role of Police with Reference to Community Issues - Essay Example Microsoft, Oracle, Satyam Computers, Tata Computer Services, and other educational institutions which have established their branches in the different countries do need man power, for which they need to provide necessary facilities. In this context, certain housing associations are pretty much indulged in the process of providing housing facilities. In such condition, where world meets world, different nationalities, race, colour, caste, community, it is inevitable that there would be certain issues arising every now and then. Therefore, it is necessary there should be certain policies developed by the housing association to combat such issues. In United Kingdom, Pennine Housing 2000 is one such association which provides shelter facilities on rent by complying with the regulations set up by the regulatory authority. Pennine Housing 2000 established in 2001 is Calderdale's largest and registered social landlord, managing the rented housing stock just over 11,000 properties.2 It states that the rents are kept low so that it is within the reach of everybody and standard of homes are constantly improving due to improvement programmes.3 The company has gained support and funding from Housing Corporation to continue to regenerate number of areas, replacing unpopular and rundown properties to newly built housing estates. During the Annual Tenants Conference, a tenant expressed that 99% of tenants view Peninne Housing 2000 with great respect as it is doing stupendous work while remaining 1% want more and much greater services.4 The company has always focused on meeting high standards for which over 112 million between 2001 to 2006 were spent on internal improvements, new central heating systems, and external works such as new doors, re-roofing etc. The company also promises tenancy rights of the tenan t through tenancy agreement. Pennine was recognized nationally within the social housing sector. At the National Housing Federation iNBiz Awards, it won the Best Leadership and the Employer of Choice categories - achievements which clearly place the company as a quality organisation. It also received Gold RoSPA award for Health & Safety and West Yorkshire NHS Modernisation Award for Healthy Living campaign amongst its staff. Pennine Housing being a well known housing company has its duties and responsibilities cut out. It has to provide all the facilities to its tenants as well as the society. It has the responsibility to see that their tenants are not the victims of social exclusion as there may be people of different communities and nationalities. It has to protect the rights and interest of every individual, so that he/she may not get deprived of the facilities to which he/she may be entitled. The company has also tackle issues like labeling where such acts turn an innocent, known to be good guy to some criminal. Such acts/ issues should be addressed and tackled with effective measures for the welfare of the society. And it is the responsibility of Pennine Housing 2000 to look after the buildings and have a vigilante look at all corners of the edifice and see that the repairs are done wherever necessary so that the locality does not turn into a prostitute's hub or crime yard. The company should take effective policing measures to tackle all such issues in the wake of providing decent and good