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Anthropological Foundations of Education
Anthropological Foundations of Education
Anthropology
derived from the Greek words anthropus meaning man, human and logus, meaning study
the study of mankind
the science that treats of the origin, development (physical, intellectual, moral, etc.) and especially the
cultural development, customs, beliefs, etc, of man.
the science of man and his work (Herskovitz)
the scientific study of physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of human beings since their
appearance on earth. (Jacobs and Stem)
the study of humankind, everywhere, throughout time, seeks to produce useful generalization about
people and their behavior and to arrive at the fullest possible understanding of human diversity
the study of humankind, in all times and places
Anthropology
Physical anthropology is related to the biological sciences anatomy, embryology, physiology, and
genetics. Social anthropology is related to sociology, psychology, geography, economics, and political
science; is likewise related to the humanistic disciplines, such as history, literature, art, and music.
What is Culture?
Classification of Culture
Static or dynamic static when it emphasizes cultural transmission, e.g. the same culture is passed on
from generation to generation; dynamic, when it emphasizes change, e.g. it goes revision with each
generation.
Stable or unstable stable when folkways and mores are satisfying, new elements and traits are
incorporate smoothly and without conflict; unstable, when the group does not have satisfying solutions to
most of its problems and conflict exists between the traditional and radical groups and their values.
Forms of Culture
material culture consists of tangible things like houses, clothing, tools, utensils, automobiles, TV, etc.
non-material refers to what is symbolic or intangibles such as sentiments, folkways, mores, system of
beliefs and knowledge.
concerned with actions, ideas, and artifacts which individuals learn, share, and value; others call this
organized group behavior an institution.
may be regarded as a historical phenomenon, originating through innovation and spread by diffusion
may be regarded as a historical phenomenon geographic or locality distribution
tends to be patterned repetition of similar approved behaviors so that it has form or structure
elements have a function
tends to be integrated unity of premises, values, goals
subject to change, individual conduct varies, innovations occur, etc.
valid to the extent that the local way of life is well-defined, homogenous, stable
sometimes designed as a system where interrelated elements are treated as a whole
a continuum passed on from individual, from generation to generation
symbolic meanings attached and personal motivations
Educational Implications
cultures differ and one should not judge another culture by using his own culture as basis
to avoid prejudices, there should be more contact between cultures
travel, education, and reading about other societies are ways of bringing about tolerance and
understanding between nations
with more diffusion between cultures, one global society may result
society can be improved by improving the culture.
since culture is made by man himself, he should develop worthwhile values and wee out those beliefs
since culture is learned, the school should inculcate in the young. Good aspects of the culture
since the culture changes, the change should be for the better and society should decide what those
changes should be
the home, the school, and the church, should guard against borrowing from other cultures things that are
against the Philippine way of life.
LANGUAGE AND WRITING
Language
a vocal symbolism of speech, with its related bodily gestures and mechanical signals which give precision
and finesse to communicate
a way of speaking, distinct every culture
a system of arbitrary vocals symbols by which members of a social group cooperate and interact by
which the learning process is effectuated and given way of life achieved through continuity and change.
language is very important for without which knowledge could not have been maintained and
accumulated
language is a form of learned behavior by which people communicate with each other, this function is
probably one of the most important, if not the most important functions of language.
language is the vehicle of culture by which the culture is passed on from generation to generation
language is a means of cooperation through which people learn to play together and to work together
from the anthropological point of view, language is a way to making people close to one another, of
fostering the feeling of belongingness.
Elements of Language
According to Herkovitz, every language has three parts:
Linguistic Structure
Analysis of the language shows that it is composed of:
phonemics similar sounds contrasting and mutually exclusive; the same sounds, but different in
meaning
morphemes minimum significant unit forming a word or part of a word
morphology combinations of words into linguistic form. The combination of words into sentences
following grammatical rules, such as subject (noun), predicate (verb) and modifier (adverb or adjective).
Writing
Invention of Writing
Writing is said to be a more recent invention than language. While language appeared more than a million
years ago, that is, when man first acquired the rudiments of culture, the first written record in English were
dated A.D. 900.
Development of Writing
conventionalized pictographs regarded as the earliest from of writing a kind of writing called pictograph
or picture writing.
Logograph writing appeared in the Near East, in Chinese, and in Maya writing
Ideograph developed in China
Syllabic writing widespread in Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and Sumeria
Alphabetic writing this system of writing developed around 1800 B.C. The Phoenicians are credited with
the invention of the alphabet
Importance of Writing
Educational Implications
since language is an agent of culture, one should study the language well and speak it correctly
the more language a person knows, the better educated he is and the easier he can adjust to other
people.
to understand people, it is necessary to know their language
knowing peoples language is a means to fostering good public relations
since English is the language spoken through most of the world, one should study it well.
reading books and magazines is one way of increasing ones vocabulary.
a person should learn to write legibly and clearly, as this is a mark of the well educated
fluency in speaking and writing comes with practice; so one should take every opportunity to speak and
write well
RELIGION
What is Religion?
recognition of belief in some source or power that transcends humans and is capable of assessing or
harming them.
a kind of human behavior which can be classified as belief and ritual concerned with supernatural beings,
powers, and forces
response to mans needs for an organized conception of the universe, for mechanism that will allay his
anxieties concerning his inability to predict and understand events that do not conform to natural law.
the control of the universe; means by which man maintains himself in the scheme of things
From the foregoing definitions, certain characteristics of religion are evident: (1) belief in the supernatural,
which is powerful (2) an influence on human behavior, (3) an explanation for what is unexpected.
Examples of situations that cannot be explained by science where religion is used to provide the answer:
a healthy individual who had no previous history of heart disease suddenly has a heart attack and dies.
a person who has cancer as shown by x-ray suddenly shows no trace of the disease after a visit to the
Lourdes shrine in France.
an out-of-reason typhoon in April destroys a crop
a very good husband, rich and good-looking is deserted by his wife.
Varieties of Religion
Religions of different kinds abound in the world today. The Christian religions are composed of Roman
Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, and Judea-Christianity. The non-Christian religions consist of;
Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jewish, Shintoism, Animism. All religions
have many things in common rather than differences. The golden rule is part of most religions.
Whatever religion people to, different societies have common beliefs as follows: a) religion does things for
people, b) it has to do with the power of the universe, the range and intensity of these powers, and the
manner in which they influence the lives of people, c) and there are methods by which these powers may
be enlisted in behalf of man, not only has benevolent guardians, but also as agents that may help man
achieve certain ends.
Uses/Functions of Religion
Educational Implications
it is important for every one to have a religion in view of the role that religion plays in ones life
since religion influences behavior, one should choose ones religion wisely
since the nature and function of all religions are the same, there should be tolerance of all religions
one should study ones religion well and live it.
apply the teachings of religion to self, family community, and the world.