Post on 15-Dec-2015
APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY
Chapter One Orientations to an Anthropology of Policy and
Practice
What is Applied Anthropology?
Applied Anthropology is the use of anthropological theory and social science research methods to solve real world problems. Almost always works outside
of academia Clients expect practical
solutions not theories Influences the selection of
policy or delivery of services Ethical Issues and Normative
Assumptions Often conducted by full-time
non-academics or professors consulting outside of the institution
Practicing Anthropology
Anthropologist who are engaged in fulltime outside of academia who use their skills to practical problems
They are different then Applied Anthropologists in that they often design, implement, and deliver services or policies—They Do The Work! Needs Assessments Program Evaluation Social Impact Assessment
Types of Jobs Practicing Anthropologist Have
International Development Community Development Advocacy Groups Resource Management Planning Consulting Around half of all Ph.D. anthropologists
will be practicing anthropologists Almost all Bachelors and Masters level
students are practicing anthropologists
Applied Anthropology and Theory
The link of theory and practice in anthropology is different than other disciplines
Theories often make normative assumptions or produce information that can be exploited by outsiders over locals
The history of anthropology has lead to a distinct separation of academic theory from practice
Theories in Anthropology
Structural Functionalism Functionalism
understands society and culture to be like living organisms
Parts of a culture can only be studied adequately as they function within the whole
Structuralism Structuralist approaches in anthropology
explore the variety of ways that culture and society are structured, and how such structures are related to human development and identity
Theories in Anthropology
Cultural Evolution presumes that over time, cultural change
occurs as a result of humans adapting to things like climate change or population growth
Materialism Understands human culture to be the
product of the "material conditions" in which a given community of people finds itself.
Theories in Anthropology Political Economy
The study of the means of production, law, customs and the government that support livelihood strategies
Interpretive Anthropology Culture is used to understand the deep
structures and basic assumption that create a shared reality of a place
Human Ecology How humans relate to their environment and
settle space
Applied Anthropology
Has grown separately as a discipline that focuses on answering important questions and solving important issues
Not concerned with relationship to theory Focus on problem solving not conforming
to the production of knowledge to test theories
Clients often have little interest in abstractions such as theory
Anthropology of Policy
Theory that policy has a unique culture The powerful and their perspectives Issues and communities and individuals Distribution of goods and services All pretty much left unexamined
A Praxis Approach
Methodology that is ethical and emancipatory
How to empower people to make planned change