Download Chapter 3 - cbc-cult-ant-05

Chapter 3
Applied Anthropology
Chapter Outline
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Applied Versus Pure Anthropology
Applied Anthropology in the
Twentieth Century
Special Features of Anthropology
Examples of Applied Anthropology
The Greater Use of Anthropological
Knowledge
Pure and Applied
Anthropology
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Pure anthropology - aimed at refining
the discipline’s theory, methods, and
data.
Applied anthropology - focused on
using anthropological insights toward
the solution of practical social problems.
Special Features of
Anthropology
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Participant-Observation
The Holistic Perspective
Regional Expertise
The Emic View
Cultural Relativism
Topical Expertise
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Policy researcher: provides cultural
data to policymakers to help them make
informed decisions.
Evaluator: Uses research skills to
determine if a program is successful.
Impact assessor: measures the effect
of a project, program, or policy on the
local community.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Planner: helps design programs and policies.
 Research analyst: interprets research
findings so policymakers, planners, and
administrators can make culturally sensitive
decisions.
 Needs assessor: conducts research to
determine whether a proposed program or
project is necessary.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Trainer: teaches professionals working in
cross-cultural situations about the culture of a
population.
 Advocate: actively supports a particular
group of people.
 Administrator/manager: assumes
administrative responsibility for a project.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Expert witness: presents culturally
relevant research as part of judicial
proceedings.
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Cultural broker: acts as a liaison
between program personnel and local
ethnic communities.
Examples of Applied
Anthropology
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Penny Van Esterik’s advocacy
involvement in the Nestlé baby formula
controversy.
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Elizabeth Grobsmith’s work with Native
American prison inmates.
Examples of Applied
Anthropology
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Richard Dembo’s ethnographic
research on teenage cocaine dealing in
Florida.
Warren Hern’s work with the Shipibo of
the Peruvian Amazon, which had
important policy implications for
programs of population control.