EST 200 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Last Lecture I None this is the first one Outline of Current Lecture II Adaptation III Ecology IV Anthropology V Fieldwork VI Ethnocentrism VII Cultural Relativism Current Lecture I II III Adaptation the process by which organisms cope with environmental stress Ecology it is the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment Anthropology is the scientific study of humans a Global in scope holistic in vision scientific in method IV V VI Anthropology Studies humankind at all times and in all places b Methods associated with anthropology participant observation while conducting fieldwork Fieldwork firsthand experience with the people being studied and the usual means by which anthropological information is obtained regardless if other methods that anthropologist may use fieldwork usually involves participant observation for an extended period of time often a year or more a Participant Observation is the fieldwork method most closely associated with anthropology While conducting fieldwork the anthropologist participates in the daily activities and learns the language of the people being studied Ethnocentrism the judging of another culture or culture trait by your own culture standards assuming that your culture is correct a Example we disagree with what other cultures may find completely acceptable Cultural Relativism the attitude that a society customs and ideas should be viewed within the context of that society s problems and opportunities These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute a Example female genital mutilation cutting or removing the female genitalia clitoris of girls or young women Which is then sewed shut and not cut until the day the girl is to get married This is normal because in their culture people believe women will have sex with anyone and everyone Without the procedure a woman would not get married or have a life In our culture we look at this with disgust but in other cultures it is the norm