Category: Culture and Society
Yes, contact with a diverse range of societies via our travels enables us to develop our cultural competence. Yes, delving into anthropological issues is essential to understanding the field’s ongoing pertinence as we grapple with contemporary issues. However, we also benefited from strengthening our foundational knowledge via Culture and Society, a synchronous online course offered by the University of California, Los Angeles. Through this educational experience, we defined–and subsequently applied–terms that are central to sociocultural anthropology but that are often misunderstood and misused in common vernacular. In the span of six weeks, we gained a broader repertoire of tools for analyzing human societies. If you happen to be within the appropriate age range, we would strongly recommend this course, but if you are not or are seeking main takeaways, supplemented with additional insights, our posts are a great place to look!
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Investigating the Roots of Our Diverse Taste Preferences (Alyna Johnson)
Introduction Have you ever wondered why you consistently crave a food that your friends find unpalatable? I have, too, and I ultimately attributed my tastes to my distinct genetic makeup and personal experiences, which are, in fact, contributing factors to individual preferences. However, I have learned that numerous phenomena, including taste, rooted in sociocultural anthropology Read more
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The Protestant Work Ethics: Catalysts for Modern Productivist Norms (Riya Johnson)
Introduction Have you ever boasted about getting four hours of sleep due to the mountain of work through which you had to plow the previous night? Have you ever tried to put away your laptop and step outside but felt a pang of guilt about taking a break? I and many other Americans can relate. Read more