Anthropology Explainers

Anthropology is the study of humanity. It is a unique academic discipline in that it considers humans from a holistic perspective. This means that it considers all aspects of human life, including physical, cultural, and social dimensions. It is also multi-disciplinary, meaning that it draws on knowledge from a variety of different fields, including archaeology, linguistics, and sociology.

In this series of essays, we will explore some of the most fundamental concepts in anthropology. We will discuss topics such as culture, evolution, language, and religion. These essays are aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating field!

Family Formation Processes – Discuss the shift from the traditional nuclear family to the contemporary, often increasingly, ‘unclear family’ (Simpson)

September 23, 2022 by Claudine Cassar

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, industrialisation in the Western world led to a shift from an agrarian to a “job” based economy, creating employment opportunities that resulted in a tectonic shift in the mechanics of influence within kinship systems in these societies and the associated family formation processes.

Is the belief in magic and witchcraft an example of irrational mystical thinking that characterises pre-modern society?

September 17, 2022 by Claudine Cassar

Belief in magic and witchcraft is an example of irrational mystical thinking that characterises pre-modern society - Discuss

In the early days of anthropology, magic & witchcraft were seen as evidence of the primitive nature of the societies in which they were found

By drawing on a relevant case study, discuss how global migration contributes to the ‘global cultural economy’ (Appadurai 1990)

September 16, 2022 by Claudine Cassar

Appadurai (1990) describes the “global cultural economy” as consisting of “complex” and “overlapping” dimensions that co-exist and intermingle but are often disconnected from each other.

Representations of the Divine have always been socially contentious

September 9, 2022 by Claudine Cassar

Representations of the divine have proven to be a lightning rod for people of different ideologies and has thus been linked to much destruction and violence over the millennia, including the twenty-first century.

What are the ways in which “(b)ordering” enacts “othering” (Van Houtum and Van Naerssen 2002)?

September 8, 2022August 14, 2022 by Claudine Cassar

One of the most important functions of “bordering” is the creation of a narrative of unity and homogeneity within the territory, while at the same time portraying the people beyond the border as different, a concept known as “othering.”

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