A Collection of Anthropology Definitions

The study of anthropology is the study of human beings: their culture, their behavior, their beliefs, their ways of surviving. Here is a collection of other definitions of anthropology from anthropologists and other dedicated to defining and describing what Alexander Pope (1688 to 1744) called the proper study of mankind. Anthropology Definitions Eric Wolf: Anthropology is less a subject matter than a bond between subject matters. It is part history, part literature; in part natural science, part social science; it strives to study men both from within and without; it represents both a manner of looking at man and a vision of man—the most scientific of the humanities, the most humanist of sciences. James William Lett: Anthropology has traditionally attempted to stake out a compromise position on this central issue by regarding itself as both the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences. That compromise has always looked peculiar to those outside anthropology  but today it looks increasingly precarious to those within the discipline. University of Florida: Anthropology is the study of humankind. Of all the disciplines that examine aspects of human existence and accomplishments, only Anthropology explores the entire panorama of the human experience from human origins to contemporary forms of culture and social life. Anthropology is Answering Questions Michael Scullin: Anthropologists attempt to answer the question: how can one explain the diversity of human cultures that are currently found on earth and how have they evolved? Given that we will have to change rather rapidly within the next generation or two this is a very pertinent question for anthropologists. University of North Texas: Anthropology is the study of human diversity around the world. Anthropologists look at cross-cultural differences in social institutions, cultural beliefs, and communication styles. They often seek to promote understanding between groups by translating each culture to the other, for instance by spelling out common, taken-for-granted assumptions. American Anthropological Association: Anthropology seeks to uncover principles of behavior that apply to all human communities. To an anthropologist, diversity itself—seen in body shapes and sizes, customs, clothing, speech, religion, and worldview—provides a frame of reference for understanding any single aspect of life in any given community. Portland Community College: Anthropology is the study of people. In this discipline, people are considered in all their biological and cultural diversities, in the present as well as in the prehistoric past, and wherever people have existed. Students are introduced to the interaction between people and their environments to develop an appreciation of human adaptations past and present. Western Washington University: Anthropology explores what it means to be human. Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind in all the cultures of the world, both past and present. The Human Experience of Anthropology Triton College: Anthropology is the study of humans in all areas and in all periods of time. Michael Brian Schiffer: Anthropology is the only discipline that can access evidence about the entire human experience on this planet. Western Kentucky University: Anthropology is the study of human culture and biology in the past and present. University of Louisville: Anthropology is, at once, both easy to define and difficult to describe; its subject matter is both exotic (marriage practices among Australian aborigines) and commonplace (the structure of the human hand); its focus both sweeping and microscopic. Anthropologists may study the language of a tribe of Brazilian Native Americans, the social life of apes in an African rain forest, or the remains of a long-vanished civilization in their own backyard—but there is always a common thread linking these vastly different projects, and always the common goal of advancing our understanding of who we are and how we came to be that way. In a sense, we all do anthropology because it is rooted in a universal human characteristic—curiosity about ourselves and other people, living and dead, here and across the globe. Stanford University: Anthropology is devoted to the study of human beings and human societies as they exist across time and space. It is distinct from other social sciences in that it gives central attention to the full-time span of human history, and to the full range of human societies and cultures, including those located in historically marginalized parts of the world. It is therefore especially attuned to questions of social, cultural, and biological diversity, to issues of power, identity, and inequality, and to the understanding of dynamic processes of social, historical, ecological, and biological change over time. A.L. Kroeber: Anthropology is the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities. The Jam in the Sandwich Robert Foley and Marta Mirazon Lahr: Culture is the jam in the sandwich of anthropology. It is all-pervasive. It is used to distinguish humans from apes (everything that man does that the monkeys do not (Lord Ragland)) and to characterize evolutionarily derived behaviors in both living apes and humans. It is often both the explanation of what it is that has made human evolution different and what it is that it is necessary to explain... It exists in the heads of humans and is manifested in the products of actions. ... [C]ulture is seen by some as the equivalent of the gene, and hence a particulate unit (the meme) that can be added together in endless permutations and combinations, while to others it is as a large and indivisible whole that it takes on its significance.  In other words, culture is everything to anthropology, and it could be argued that in the process it has also become nothing. Moishe Shokeid: Anthropologists and their informants are inextricably bound together in producing an ethnographic text that integrates the impact of their unique personalities, their social incongruities, and their dreams.

Blackhorse Espresso Bakery And Bakery - 1820 Words

Many know BlackHorse Espresso Bakery as the spot to grab a quick cup of coffee, a fancy latte, a yummy panini, or get some studying in. Many, however, probably do not know how this local chain began. BlackHorse Espresso Bakery is a series of four small town coffee shops in San Luis Obispo. Since its establishment in 1995 as â€Å"Uptown Espresso,† BlackHorse is now renamed, under a new ownership, and has expanded from one to four locations throughout San Luis Obispo. According to AnnMarie Cornejo, writer for The Tribune, Randy Coates opened the first store, Uptown Espresso, on Higuera Street in 1995. Coates then introduced the name BlackHorse in 2007. The name is said to be in honor of the legend, O. L. Deloloy, a â€Å"poor, immigrant grandfather† who rode his black horse around Seattle stealing coffee beans from the docks and brewing them into coffee to give to his neighbors. In 2008, Randy Coates retired and sold BlackHorse to Tom Brown and Greg Hind, who in 2009 p roceeded to open a second location in Broad Street Village (Cornejo, 2011). BlackHorse continued to grow in 2011 when they opened their Foothill location and again in 2013 the LOVR location opened. BlackHorse is not just any espresso and bakery; it is a company that prides itself in a strong culture and vision for its aspirations. According to the company website, BlackHorse’s mission statement is to provide the best coffee and customer service by â€Å"equipping [their] baristas with top-of-the-line espresso machines,

Neuropathology and Etiology of Alzheimer’s disease Free Essays

Scientists have not yet fully come to full grips with the real causes of Alzheimer’s disease, however, one clear aspect of the development of this disease arise from a very complex chain of activities taking place in the brain over a long period of lifetime. It has been argued that genetic, environmental and even lifestyle factors have contributed to major causes of this disease. Risk and protective factors may include genetic, medical, biological, environmental, dietary, social and cultural aspects (Draper, 2004). We will write a custom essay sample on Neuropathology and Etiology of Alzheimer’s disease or any similar topic only for you Order Now In genetic aspect, APOE E2 is rare and creates protection against Alzheimer’s disease and in case it does occur in much later years than in people with APOE E3 and APOE E4. APOE E3 forms the most common Allele and is assumed to perform a neutral role in Alzheimer’s disease. This means it neither stimulates nor increases reactions that would lead to the development of Alzheimer’s. The APOE E4 occurs in the most common and occurs in approximately 40% in those who suffer from late onset Alzheimer’s disease. It is therefore common that people with APOE E4 are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (Kuhn Verity, 2007). It is infact known as the risk factor gene in that it increases one’s level of risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Early – onset Alzheimer’s disease, affecting few people is as a result of chromosome different gene mutations on specific chromosomes (MartinisonMusaswes, 1993). These include chromosome 21, 14 and chromosome 1 and all these produces abnormal proteins. Permanent changes in chromosome 21 lead to the creation of APP (Abnormal Amyloid Precursor Protein) while the same process in chromosome 14 leads to the formation of abnormal presenilin and mutation in chromosome 1 lead to creation of abnormal presenilin. Inheritance of even one of these genes from both or one parent is most likely to develop early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This kind of inheritance pattern is referred to as â€Å"abnormal dominant inheritance†. Another possible risk towards the development of Alzheimer’s disease is SOR1 (Roudier et al, 1991). This gene is solely responsible for the transportation of APP (Abnormal Amyloid Precursor Protein) within the cells and was discovered to be connected to Alzheimer’s disease. While it is present in low levels, beta amyloid levels increase and may have a negative effect on neurons (Ramanathan, 1997). The difference in genetic make up from one person to another either delays or completely prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, also known as Familial Alzheimer’s disease. It is mainly inherited from parents and is caused by mutations in three genes. (APOE E2, APOE E3, APOE E4). There is a 50-50 chance of an offspring developing early onset Alzheimer’s diseases if one of the parents had it, averagely at the age of 30-60. As many as 5. 3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is know to destroy brain cells and hence cause problems with behavior, thinking and memory severely enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social infract It has been graded the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States (Mace Rabins, 2007). There is no known cure to Alzheimer’s disease yet but an attempt to control it is going on. Scientists and researchers have come up with brain implants aimed to controlling it. These implants contain proteins called Nerve Growth Factors (NGF) which directly delivered to brain nerve cells, which in turn stimulates their growth and thus reduces the chances of their degeneration. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is responsible for controlling cell regeneration in the entire body but it is denied entry into the brain, this makes brain cells lack ability to self-regenerate (Taylor, 2006). Alzheimer’s’ disease has no cure however and irreversible. It is as a result of progressive brain damage characterized by the building up of amyloid plagues and neurofibrillary tangles, lack of connection in the brain cells and the eventual death of these verve cells. Symptomatic treatment in combination with right support and proper service can lessen the pain of living with this disease. Change in different forms of lifestyle choices can also reduce the prevalence of this disease. It is a complex disease to understand because it affects individuals differently in the order in which symptoms come to surface, their order of appearance, the duration it lasts before end point and variation in the duration of stage. Increased vigor worldwide to find a lasting break through in proper treatment of this disease is underway (Coste, 2004). These include efforts to delay its onset, reduce late of its development and eliminate it from the body. Research also suggests that different forms of lifestyle such as nutrition, social activities; mentally involving activities are factors likely to reduce Alzheimer’s disease. Progression of series of Alzheimer’s disease consists of five stages expanded to seven stages by the use of a Modified Global Deterioration scale (GDS). This scale assists doctors to measure the exact level of progression of the disease in a patient and administer right medication. Stages of Alzheimer’s disease include the early stage where the individual has mild impairenent arising from this disease (Pearce, 2007). Symptoms in this stage include rapid changes in mood and behavior, forgetfulness, and lack of proper communication. This group still contains most of their capabilities and thus needs very minimal life support. Further deterioration in this stage one leads to the middle stage. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person has memory problems greater than those expected for his or her age. However, people with MCI do not have the personality changes or cognitive problems that characterize (Callone, 2007). Memory loss, difficulty in identifying people and objects are symptoms of middle stage although there may be little awareness. The late stage eventually does not allow verbal communication or one to take care of himself. This level require external support although their lives. The fourth stage, at end of life, is when one comes close to death and comfort is the main focus. Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) or Reisberg scale provides care givers with a better accurate measure of the level of deterioration stage. References: Draper B., (2004); Dealing with Dementia: A Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias. ISBN-10: 1865088536, ISBN-13: 978-1865088532, Allen Unwin. Roudier, M. , Marcie, P. , Podrabinek, N., Lamour, Y. , Payan, C. , Fermanian, J. and Boller, F. , (1991): Cognitive Functions in Alzheimer’s Disease: Interaction of Cognitive Domains. Developmental Neuropsychology. Volume: 7. Issue: 2. Kuhn, D. Verity, J., (2007): The Art of Dementia Care. ISBN-10: 140189951X, ISBN-13: 978-1401899516, Delmar Cengage Learning. Martinson, I. M. and Muwaswes, M. , (1993) ; Care giving Demands of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal Title: Journal of Community Health Nursing. Volume: 10. Issue: 4. 1993. Page Number: 225. Ramanathan, V. , (1997);Alzheimer Discourse: Some Sociolinguistic Dimensions. ISBN: 9780805823554, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Mahwah, NJ. Taylor, R.. , (2006): Alzheimer’s from the inside out. ISBN-10: 1932529233, ISBN-13: 978-1932529234, Health Professions Press. Coste, K. J. , (2004): Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease. ISBN-10: 1864710632, ISBN-13: 978-0618485178, Mariner Books. Pearce, N., (2007): Inside Alzheimer’s: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia. ISBN-10: 0978829905, ISBN-13: 978-0978829902, Forrason Press Callone, P. , (2007): A Caregiver’s Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier. ISBN-10: 1932603166, ISBN-13: 978-1932603163, Demos Medical Publishing. Mace, L. N. Rabins, V. P. , (2007);The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss in Later Life, 4th Edition, ISBN-10: 0801885094,ISBN-13: 978-0801885099, John’s Hopkins University Press How to cite Neuropathology and Etiology of Alzheimer’s disease, Papers