Abstract
This research paper details the life and works of Franz Boas, known as the "Father of Anthropology." Boas was an early anthropologist who pioneered methods such as field work and ethnography, as well as the theory of cultural relativity. This paper explores Boas' personal history and education, as well as his ground-breaking work amongst the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of the U.S. The paper concludes by citing Boas's unique and lasting contribution to anthropology, which was his insistence upon the equal treatment of all cultures and his non-racist, relativistic ideals which still stand as examples of his lasting influence.

From the Paper
"After graduation, Boas discovered that there were not many positions available in academia for a Jewish liberal, a reflection of the widespread anti-Semitism of the time (Hyatt 1990). An attempt to immigrate to the United States was unsuccessful, and in frustration Boas turned back to his interest in geography (Hyatt 1990). In 1883, Boas secured a position on an expedition to the Baffin Island region in the Arctic, the goal of which was to research the connection between seawater and migration patterns among the Eskimo (McGee 2000). At the time of the expedition, anthropology was not considered a "reputable" academic subject, and Boas's interest in the expedition was primarily as a geographical study to investigate the influence of the environment on the native peoples' behaviors, movements and cultural activities."

Tags:Anthropology, Franz Boas, father of anthropology, fieldwork, cultural relativity, ethnography, early anthropologists

Abstract
This paper explores the use of ethnography in Julie Cruikshank's book "Life Lived Like a Story: Life Stories of Three Yukon Native Elders" which tells the story of three Yukon elders, Angela Sidney, Kitty Smith, and Anny Ned. According to the paper, this work could appear as just another ethnography in which scientific language objectifies the people studied. However, the first clue that this is not the case is the title of the book, which suggests a narrative mode that transcends this kind of objectifying stance, which indeed turn out to be the case.

From the Paper
"Julie Cruikshank's ethnography Life Lived Like a Story: Life Stories of Three Yukon Native Elders tells the story of three Yukon elders, Angela Sidney, Kitty Smith, and Anny Ned. These women were all born around 1900, and have an ancestry shared between Northern Athapaskans and Tlingit. The women were all raised on the "inland side of the high-country frontier separating coastal Tlingit and interior Athapaskans" (Cruikshank 8). On the face of it, this might be just another ethnography in which scientific language objectifies the people studied (Richardson). However, the first..."

Tags:anthropology, yukon, cruikshank

Abstract
In this paper, the famous battle between Robert E. Peary and Frederick Cook is detailed. Both explorers claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole. The author argues that this acrimonious battle developed and continues to persist almost 100 years later because of the personalities of the men themselves. Also cited are public doubts about each of their achievements , the politics of the time and the mystique of the North Pole. The author also includes material that may disprove the actual achievements of both men, and how the controversy attracted the public to take sides. The paper concludes by stating that the story demonstrates the depths of mankind's obsession with reaching nature's limits and conquering the North Pole.

From the Paper
"Out of such an experience, one might expect an uncommon bond of friendship to develop. Instead, Peary and Cook spent their later years as bitter enemies embroiled in one of the major controversies of the early part of the 20th century - both of the men claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole; Peary in 1909 and Cook in 1908. Both camps initiated a war to discredit the other side and the men took the fight to the grave and, in a manner, beyond it. Both sides continue to use the Internet, books and articles to wage a nasty war of allegations, accusing each other of everything from racism to outright fraud."

Tags:Robert, E., Peary, Frederick, Cook, North, Pole, explorers

Abstract
Environmental Anthropology also known as eco-anthropology or anthropology of the environment is a relatively new field in anthropology. It focuses on the interactions between different cultures and changes in the environment. It has become particularly important as we grow more concerned about the impact of issues such as global warming or genetically engineered plants on society.

From the Paper
Anthropology and the Environment Environmental anthropology is a relatively new branch of anthropology. This paper will first define anthropology and describe its four traditional branches, explain and define this new branch of study, tell a little about the background of environmental anthropology and finally describe and illustrate its importance in helping us understand some of the major concerns facing humankind today. Branches of Anthropology Anthropology is the study of humans including especially human culture and development. It is closely related to and shares many of the same

Tags:anthropology, ecology, environmental

Abstract
This paper gives an in-depth description of the discipline of anthropology. According to the paper, anthropology is not a static and dry field of academic study, remote from the human subjects, cultures, and power relations it explores and explains, but is actually a discipline that has historically been highly complicit in supporting and reinforcing western institutional structures of power and control. The paper further states that it is in large measure due to this legacy that anthropology in recent decades has been interrogating its own underlying theoretical and methodological assumptions in developing new disciplinary approaches to the human subjects and communities being studied.

From the Paper
"The discipline of anthropology is not a static and dry field of academic study, remote from the human subjects, cultures, and power relations it explores and explains, but is actually a discipline that has historically been highly complicit in supporting and reinforcing western institutional structures of power and control. It is in large measure due to this legacy that anthropology in recent decades has been interrogating its own..."

Tags:anthropology, advocacy, rights

Abstract
This paper examines cultural anthropology, which has traditionally been a transnational endeavor. According to the paper, this has become increasingly true in recent years with the expansion of transnational feminism. Cultural anthropology has also inevitably been an arena of research beset by power challenges, given the traditional practice of there being an observer, who has the power, and an observed, who does not.

From the Paper
"Cultural anthropology has traditionally been a transnational endeavor, and this has become increasingly true in recent years with the expansion of transnational feminism (despite a recent recognition that cultural anthropology does not always have to be about "other" people, somewhere overseas, in the non-Western world). Cultural anthropology has also inevitably been an arena of research beset by power challenges, given the traditional practice of there being an observer (who has the power) and an observed (who does not). In recent decades, an increasing amount of self-reflexivity and self-analysis has been evident in the field, as..."

Tags:cultural, anthropology, transnational

Abstract
This paper discusses the different aspects of medical anthropology. The underlying theories of medical anthropology are discussed as well as the concept of health and disease, taking into consideration different culture-based paradigms depicting each one. Disease profiles of the different civilizations, from foraging nomads to empires are compared and contrasted.

From the Paper
"Though giving birth occurs naturally in women, the experience itself varies among women due to the great influence of cultural beliefs and the resources available within different societies. Depending on how a society values or perceives childbirth as a medical event, the process will differ according to who conducts it (e.g. physician versus community midwife), how it is conducted (e.g. through a cesarean operation or spontaneous, natural birth) and where it occurs (e.g. whether it is in a modern and well-equipped obstetric facility or at home)."

Tags:medical, anthropology, culture

Abstract
This paper addresses the history and the events of the Salem Witch Trials from the perspective of Semiotic Anthropology. Here, the question of the witchcraft trials is examined as a form of social control for a people, specifically women, who had no other element of control.

Tags:ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY (ANCIENT HISTORY) / RESEARCH (METHODS, THEORIES), discussion semiotic anthropology

Abstract
This paper examines three specific sociological theories. The author contrast each theory. The paper demonstrates their impact on the field of historical anthropology.

From the Paper
"Some critics of the field of historical anthropology have accused the field and its practitioners of being generally if not entire theoretical. In other words, the charge leveled against the field is that much of its work and research tends to proceed without the benefit of a specific theoretical lens or framework within which a particular subject event or individual group is analyzed. Many social scientists argue that theoretical underpinning for any investigation is analysis allows the researcher to assess results with respect to ..."

Tags:anthropology, globalization, culture, Iraq war

Abstract
The paper is an examination of the Maori culture as described in the book "Counterpoint in Maori Culture" by Hanson and Hanson. The writer declares that he chose this book because it was, in his opinion, the comprehensive examination of the Maori culture available which left little of classic Maori culture uncovered. The author of the paper discusses and examines aspects of Maori culture as they are presented in the book and then attempts to explain and evaluate the purpose of the book's authors and methods used by them in their research.

From the Paper
"The research for Counterpoint in Maori Culture was conducted from 1976 to 1977 in New Zealand by the authors. It was an interesting and eventful time in United States history; supposedly the "summer of fun" even though there were serious and grievous incidences going on all over the world. Pro-Palestinian terrorists hijacked a Paris-bound Air France A-300 Airbus over Greece June 27. But it wasn't all bad, Andy Warhol was in full stride as he put out skull and portrait of Andy, two iconic artworks. Jimmy Carter beat Ford in the US Presidential race and pardoned all Vietnam War draft dodgers in his first day of office. I'm unclear as to how these and many other events affected the authors. I don't get the impression that they had any effect whatsoever, especially since the book doesn't incorporate either of the two authors personalities into the work."

Tags:culture, new zealand, anthropology polynesians samoan tahitian cook ethnography