Anthropological Theory
The following materials are key presentation points developed by the instructor during
class lectures. They are not a substitute for student participation in the class lectures,
but a highlighting of the pertinent items considered.
The way you frame the questions asked in the quest to understand the
human experience will inevitably influence the answers you come up with. Knowing your
"theory," the hows and whys of the particular framing of the questions asked, is
thus an essential prerequisite in the study of the human condition. In other words, know
what "baggage" you bring with you on your travels. Once you are aware of it,
discard that which is inappropriate and wear that which best allows you to transverse the
ridges and valleys. Use your "theory" to assist you, not blind you, in revealing
the meaning of the cultural landscape you are about to travel. While
there are varied theories, with new ones developing, we will consider the
following nine as foundational: Evolutionist, Diffusionist, Pychoanalytic,
Historical-Particularism, Functionalist (societal), Functionist (individual),
Structuralist, Interpretivist, and Constructionist. Also review, Antecedents
of Anthropology.
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Margaret Mead
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Nature of Theories
What is "theory?" The following three points were in part stimulated by the
important book by Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, second
edition, 1970. Read an introduction to Kuhn's paradigm
shift.
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"Theory" is itself a construction about "reality," i.e., agreed upon
by those who are participating in that discipline, a consensus view. The theories we are
going to review are "anthropological constructions of reality."
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As a construction, "theory" is based upon: a) the current intellectual climate
and style - the belief and orientations of those who construct the theories, as well as b)
a reaction to or continuation of prior models, theories, or paradigms - attempting to
strengthen or challenge them as fallacious. A theory is based upon the particular history
within that discipline.
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As an abstract model or paradigm, a "theory" is necessarily not the reality of
that which it seeks to represent. "Theory" is not the reality itself. To assume
such would be to commit the "fallacy of misplaced concreteness."
These three points are fundamentally premised on a "positivist" epistemology.
The "post-modern" perspectives of the "Interpretivists" and
"Constructivists" will alter the premise that dichotomizes the relationship
between "theory" and "reality."
KEY: With regard to the various theories discussed, ask yourself were you fit,
what sorts of questions make sense to you and why do they make sense? What are the
problems and shortcomings of each theory? And what is your own theory?
As each of these theories addresses a broad spectrum of anthropological topics, issues
and concerns, this particular outline will only focus on how each frames questions
revolving around "religion," "mythology," and "world view,"
topics that we will deal with initially in this course.
return to ANTH 220 schedule
return to ANTH 521
syllabus