CHAPTER 12 Applying Anthropology. Dimensions of American anthropology: Academic or theoretical anthropology Applied anthropology Applied anthropology.
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CHAPTER 12
Applying Anthropology
Applying AnthropologyDimensions of American anthropology:
Academic or theoretical anthropologyApplied anthropology
Applied anthropology
Application of anthropological data, perspectives, theory, and methods to identify, assess, and solve contemporary social problemsAll four subdisciplines
Role of Applied Anthropologists
Early applicationsApplication was a central concern of early anthropology in Great Britain (during colonialism) and in the U.S. (Native American policy)Modern applied anthropology differs from earlier approaches
Academic and applied anthropology
Academic anthropology expanded after World War II
Applied anthropology began to grow in the 1970s
Applied anthropology today
Appropriate roles for applied anthropologists:
Identifying locally perceived needs for changeWorking with local people to design culturally appropriate, socially sensitive changeProtecting interests of local people
Development anthropology
Branch of applied anthropology that focuses on social issues in, and the cultural dimension of, economic development
Strategies for innovation
To maximize social and economic benefits, development projects must:
Be culturally compatible
Respond to locally perceived needs
Involve men and women in planning and carrying out the changes that affect them
Harness traditional organizations
Be flexible
Strategies for innovation
Overinnovation – too much changeUnderdifferentiation – tendency to overlook cultural diversity and view less-developed countries as more alike than they truly are
Strategies for innovationThird World models
Best models for economic development are to be found in target communities
Anthropology and education
Urban anthropology
Cross-cultural and ethnographic study of global urbanization and life in cities
Medical anthropology
Study of disease, health problems, health care systems, and theories about illness in different cultures and ethnic groups
Theories about the causes of illnessPersonalistic disease theoriesNaturalistic disease theoriesEmotionalistic disease theories
Health Care SystemsWestern vs. non-Western medicine
Anthropology and business
For business, key features of anthropology include:
Ethnography and observation as ways of gathering data
Cross-cultural expertise
Focus on cultural diversity
Careers and Anthropology
Anthropology’s breadth provides an excellent foundation for many careers
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