LEC #1: Race and Racism

Question 1

what is the definition of anthropology?

Answer 1

• the study of humans and human evolution

- to see humans as bio-cultural organisms

Question 2

3 Main points of Human Nature

Answer 2

1. Thinking
2. Feeling
3. Acting

Human nature is something that is not fixed and can be changed

Question 3

What are the 5 major subfields of anthropology?

Answer 3

1. Biological/physical
2. Cultural
3. Linguistic
4. Archeology
5. Applied anthropology

Question 4

What is Culture?

Answer 4

its a complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society

Question 5

What is the basic PARTS of culture?

Answer 5

• What we think
• What we do: Actions and interactions
• What we have: Material goods

Question 6

What is Race? what 5 factors does it include? and can it be changed?

Answer 6

1st meaning: some form of biological factor like skin colour, eye shape or genetic make up
- Race includes, biological, cultural, geographical, linguistic, and social factors

The concept of race is always changing and is not a biological fact among humans

Question 7

What is Racism? and what is an example?

Answer 7

• supports the belief without scientific proof that some races are inferior to others
• some individual groups are treated differently by another racial group in a negative way because of their physical characteristics
• ex: africans are subhuman and uncivilized in the europeans eyes or residential schools because aboriginals were not christians and were therefore inferior

Question 8

What is Ethnicity?

Answer 8

• Comes from ancestry or a common origin (descent)

- Used in reference to groups of people that are characterized in terms of a common nationality, culture or language

Question 9

How is racism a form of structural violence?

Answer 9

• its used to justify an unequal access to resources, choices and opportunities for those who identify as inferior
• used to build institutions that include or exclude particular culturally or geographically defined races
• can promote racist ideas and seek to create and maintain frustrations that perpetuate social inequality, poverty, and social injustices

Question 10

What are the basic FEATURES of culture? and give one example

Answer 10

• culture is learned: for example the things you learn and do is something that comes from society and the environment you are emerged into
• culture is shared
• culture is symbolic
• it is intergrated