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Harris
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 Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 1:16 am Post subject: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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How much do these two disciplines overlap? I am unable to find
someone or something that can make a solid differentiation between the
two.
I am considering graduate work in Sociology; however, I find
Anthropological arguments are exceptionally effective when speaking to
those without sociological imagination.
Thank You,
Brian |
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Tedd
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 2:29 am Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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"Harris" <rh128592@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:60c7a480.0310221216.584242f8@posting.google.com...
[quote]How much do these two disciplines overlap? I am unable to find
someone or something that can make a solid differentiation between the
two.
I am considering graduate work in Sociology; however, I find
Anthropological arguments are exceptionally effective when speaking to
those without sociological imagination.
Thank You,
Brian
[/quote]
hi brian,
to add a touch of light humor to this, i>ve heard "anthropology is nothing more
than glorified sociology" and that "sociology is just half-assed anthropology".
of course i am an anthro student so i am sure the sociologists have a few choice
phrases to say about us as well. ;-)
without dragging out the course catalog i believe the difference between the two
lies in the different aspects of "society" and "culture".
sociologists study the interconnections and workings of society through
functions, influences, patterns, and social responses.
anthropologists study more of the behavioral aspect, and why we behave the way
we do as cultural "groups" or "identities".
to over simplify;
sociology = the study of society
anthropology = study of culture |
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Hypnotoad
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 9:05 am Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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In article <eZClb.693$G_1.68782@news.uswest.net>,
"Tedd" <Jacobs@mail.boisestate.edu> wrote:
[quote]to over simplify;
sociology = the study of society
anthropology = study of culture
[/quote]
Anthropology is the study of mankind, not just its culture. That>s what
really differentiates it from sociology. Sociologists don>t dig up
bones.
--
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD! |
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Harris
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 11:20 pm Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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Absolutely right, which is why I focused on cultural and social
anthropology as opposed to anthro as a whole. I understand the very
obvious differences between the archeology of anthropology and the
study of sociology.
That said, the distinction is less clear between the two I mention.
As for the "society/culture" distinction- I need a bit more help here.
It seems cultures are comprised of societies and vise versa. Where
is my understanding breaking down?
Thanks for your help!
Brian |
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Tedd
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 1:46 am Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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"Harris" <rh128592@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:60c7a480.0310241020.6dcfe2b@posting.google.com...
[quote]As for the "society/culture" distinction- I need a bit more help here.
[/quote]
if sociologists study society then define "society"
if (cultural) anthropologists study culture then define "culture"
then for an extra added spin, check sociology>s definition of "culture" and
anthropology>s definition of "society". (it>s really a very fine line when it
comes down to the exact technicality of it, but call a sociologist an
anthropologists and watch them boil.)
i would expand upon the definition on the differences between the two except
that i have already to the best of my ability in the previous post. i understand
the differences, i recognize the differences, i>m just lacking in ability to
articulate those differences in a way that comes across as being coherent enough
as for the layman to understand.
hope this helps you out some brian, if not,... well,... ask again. :-)
tedd. |
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Steve Hayes
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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On 24 Oct 2003 11:20:56 -0700, rh128592@yahoo.com (Harris) wrote:
[quote]As for the "society/culture" distinction- I need a bit more help here.
It seems cultures are comprised of societies and vise versa. Where
is my understanding breaking down?
[/quote]
The distinction is an elusive one, because the moment you try to draw the
boundaries of either discipline, you will find something that falls outside
it.
There was a time when one could say that sociology was mainly the study of
urban societies, while anthropology was mainly concerned with rural ones, but
there are many exceptions to that too.
As a corollary, one could have said that anthropology was concerned with
observable interactions between people - anthropologiests did fieldwork in
which they watched people interact, while sociologists dealt with much larger
groups, and used statistics, surveys etc.
And then there are the problems of social theory - one>s idea of the
boundaries might be determined by one>s theoretical orientation. I sone>s
theory functionalist, structuralist, structuralist-functionalist, Marxist or
something else?
Steve Hayes
hayesmstw@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm |
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Harris
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:38 am Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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That>s a tremendous help. I still wish I knew which way to go. I
have so much time and money invested in Sociology classes I feel a
little stuck. I can bear the thought of taking Anthro 101 (or any
undergraduate class for that matter) yet I obviously need a better
understanding.
With that in mind, any suggested reading?
Again, many thanks for your time and assistance,
Brian |
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Tedd
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:52 am Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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"Harris" <rh128592@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:60c7a480.0310292038.56bc8618@posting.google.com...
[quote]That>s a tremendous help. I still wish I knew which way to go. I
have so much time and money invested in Sociology classes I feel a
little stuck. I can bear the thought of taking Anthro 101 (or any
undergraduate class for that matter) yet I obviously need a better
understanding.
With that in mind, any suggested reading?
Again, many thanks for your time and assistance,
Brian
[/quote]
hi again brian, if nothing else you may want to try a 'History of Anthropology'
course or equivalent, (usually a 300 level course and with your background the
instructor would probably override any prereq>s it may have. some schools offer
a 200 level "cultural concepts" course, dont take it, it>s an ethnography based
course where you do case studies within the varying approaches, not alot of help
to you right now).
for some light reading you could try;
Garbarino, Merwyn S. "Sociocultural Theory in Anthropology: A Short History"
1977 Holt, Rinehart and Winston (1983 Waveland Press Inc, Prospect Heights,
Illinois) ISBN 0-88133-056-6. (about 100 pages)
Salzman, Philip Carl. "Understanding Culture: An Introduction to Anthropological
Theory" 2001 Waveland Press Inc. Prospect Heights, Illinois. ISBN 1-57766-179-6.
(about 150 pages)
for thick reading: (yes i know,... i>m a nerd who reads too much. actually,
these were part of the required texts for the 'History of Anthropology' course.)
McGee, R. Jon and Richard L.Warns. "Anthropological Theory: An Introductory
History" 2000 Mayfield Publishing, Mountain View, California. ISBN
0-7674-1166-8. (600 pages)
let us know how things go for you and if there is anything else we can offer up.
:-)
best of luck to you brian.
tedd. |
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Harris
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Social Anthropology vs. Sociology: How do they differ? |
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That should>ve been, "Can>t bear the thought of taking a 101 class."
I used to be an undergrad, I don>t blame them for not caring, but they
just... well, don>t care. |
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