What is the best way to learn about anthropology if you cant understand any of the books?

Question

The books are so confusing, that the professor has not even mastered it. What should i do?

Answer 1

Well, I doubt very much the professor does not understand the book, he/she may just have trouble understanding the concepts in an non-jargony way. (An irony of anthropology is that those of us in the field are not totally immune to the power trip that knowing jargon gives. :P)

I agree with most of the answerers here, though. It would help us if you gave more information about the class and what material you're covering and having trouble with. Talk to the TA if you have one for the class, or talk with other students and see if any of them are understanding the material better.

If all else fails, you can email me! I'm in my 4th year of pursuing my BA in anthropology, and I love talking about it, so I'd probably be able to help, depending on the course. ;)

Answer 2

There are some great books out there written for a popular audience.  Jared Diamond, for instance, is a great author.  He also tends to pay more attention to over-arching themes, rather than one culture, if that's what you're interested in.  I also really like Colin Turnbull, but watch out.  _The Mountain People_ is incredibly sad.  _The Forest People_ is ten kinds of awesome, though, and it made me wish I was mButi.

Anthropologists are not known for their writing skills, and any profession can get too into its jargon.  But there are plenty of popular science- type books out there.

Answer 3

Best way to learn Anthropology is involvement in daily life of targated clan, observe behvioural patterns of participants and participate in cultural activities of the clan. Every day think about the new thing observed and make a note of it.

Answer 4

get bitten by a vampire. they've got plennnnnty of time to check out mankind, and from a very unique perspective. sink your teeth into anthropology!

Answer 5

Go to a museum and ask your questions of the curator. Then record the lessons and go to someone who has a I.Q.higher than his shoe size.

Answer 6

Get a different professor!!!

If he does not understand the material why is he (or she) teaching it - and why in the world would they choose a book they did not understand!!!!

If this has actually been stated in class - you should speak to the head of the department and let them know  - it is outrageous to think that you are paying for something they are not able to provide.

That said - it all depends on what about anthropology you are trying to learn -the basic stuff is actually pretty easy and you can find info in lots of places - inlcuding any introductory text book (hundreds available).  If the class is getting into "anthropological theory" that can be a much harder topic (and again one the prof should not be teaching if he can not explain it to you).

A good place to start looking for info might be the American Antrhopological Association (AAA) website at http://www.aaanet.org/anthbroc.htm.  Do not get discouraged though if you start following the links - the AAA is a professional organization and much of the connected resources are for people more advanced than the beginner.

Another interesting site with some useful beginner info is http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/IB/Anthr...  by linking up and down you can get to a lot of different topics in Antrho on this site.

Basically anthropology examines the human condition from a holistic approach - considers all aspects of a society, language, biology, the past and how cultures evolved.  This seperates it form most other social sciences that look at only one aspect (sociology looks at group interaction, psychology looks at an individuals response, etc.)

I hope you find this helpful.

Answer 7

You could try that PBS anthropology series called Faces of Culture, which used to run in the  early hours and should still be available at a lot of libraries on VHS.  It would at least help you to get a grasp of some ideas, I think it was even used for some college classes at one point.

Answer 8

observe human beings - especailly body langauge. Compare various cultures for y'self - see the common patterns between them: hierarchy, male dominance, mtriach roles, religion and ceremony, rites of passage at puberty, work roles, etc

Answer 9

anthropologists dont just look at the margins but also at the internal margins of the society. best quotation according to this: "treat people they way you like to be treated", " do to others as you would like them to do to you" "what i do not want others to do to me, i dont want to do to them"

enthropology is the genne of writting that presents varing degrees of qualitative and quantitaive description of humna social phenomena based on file work. or its a study of one culture... this culture can be anything such as police department, elementory school, drug dealers, prostitute... anything that one can spend an extended length of time studying where a trusting relationship can be formed.

Answer 10

Then it's time to rethink your study habits or rethink your future and maybe take another course. I did this with algebra. When the instructor started the class I thought she was writting Chinese on the board. I walked out.

    I took some extra classes and then went back the next year. It was all understandable then and I went through and aced the class with a 4,0 average.

Answer 11

Well, social science is incoherent. Be thankful that you are not interested in chemistry.

Seriously, the most advanced text in anthropology should not give someone of average intelligence any trouble. Perhaps you need to upgrade your reading skills.

Answer 12

Maybe you should try another book.  

Anthropology is one of the easiest social sciences to understand, since it's basically about watching and learning about other people.  Maybe you just have a crappy book.  Is it social/cultural, physical, archaeology or linguistic anthropology you're having difficulty with?  Or are you trying to learn a combination of the four subfields (or three, if you're British)?  If I knew what exactly you're studying, it would help.  

What exactly do you mean by the 'professor has not even mastered it'?  Maybe if the professor is having difficulty explaining to you, you should seek out a teaching assistant to help.  I know when I was TA'ing for my anthropology degree, some of my students were absolutely frustrated by the professor for the course.  Sometimes it's a matter of finding someone who can teach to your way of learning.