Name: _______________________
Anthropology 206: Cultural Anthropology
Worksheet 1
Introduction and Learning Objectives
In this exercise, students will be introduced to the discipline of anthropology. Anthropology is a
broad discipline with a diverse array of subject matter bridging the biological and social
sciences. This in-class activity will illustrate the many ways in which this field of study has
increased our breadth of the knowledge reading the central question, “what does it mean to be
human?” An understanding of the broader questions addressed in anthropology and its subfields
will provide students with the foundation for approaching each of the different topics covered
throughout this course by “thinking like an anthropologist.” This exercise will focus specially on
the sub-discipline of cultural anthropology.
In this activity, students will:
1) Describe the distinguishing features of cultural anthropology
2) Identify areas of research conducted in cultural anthropology
Cultural Anthropology Research Topics
In this exercise, your group will discuss the diverse ways in which cultural anthropologists in
might approach some of the broader topics in the study of humankind. For the topics listed below
indicate the types of research questions and research topics that could be addressed and the types
of data that might be collected by cultural anthropologists as they seek to understand some of the
fundamental aspects of the human condition. Feel free to use your textbook, lecture notes, or to
ask me questions. Be prepared to share your responses with the class.
Worldview
Family
Subsistence Patterns
Cultural
Anthropology
Health and Culture