The document discusses the historicism theory in anthropology. Historicism dates back to the mid-19th and early 20th centuries and sees culture as developing over time through diffusion and environmental adaptation rather than social evolution. It was developed by Franz Boas and his students. Boas made significant contributions to getting women involved in the field. Other theories discussed include those related to the study of physical and cultural differences between human races. Anthropology can be broadly described as the study of human history and understanding the connections between evolution, culture, race, history, language and more.

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Luz Juliana Charles
Professor Whitman
201527-ANTH-1301-D02
January 21, 2015
Anthropology
Throughout the years, people have formed their own discernments about
Anthropology, and as a result several Anthropological theories have evolved. Historicism
being one of the most common theories, which dates back to the mid-nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries. If people are unfamiliar with anthropology, they naturally begin
to ask themselves questions in regards to the historicism theory.
There are many questions that may come to mind in regards to the historicism theory
if the recipients are unfamiliar with the theory. What exactly is the Historicism Theory? “It
is the embracing approach to the study of anthropology and culture. This theory is most
often associated with Franz Boas and his many students, but it was actually developed
much earlier by diffusionists who sought to offer a different explanation of culture change
to those argued for by social evolutionists” (Goodenough, 1996).
The use of anthropological study to connect with the multitudes in hopes of
addressing and relieving insistent social problems is the trademark of what has come to
be known as public anthropology (Borofsky 2007). Perhaps the most important and
lasting of Boas’ contributions to the field of anthropology was his influence on the
generation of anthropologists that followed him, which developed and improved upon his
work. “Boas was a significant figure in inspiring women to enter and flourish in the field of

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anthropology. The most commonly known of his students include Kroeber, Mead,
Benedict, Lowie, Radin, Wissler, Spier, Bunzel, Hallowell and Montagu” (Barfield, 1997).
What other anthropological theories exist? Numerous, but the most commonly
discussed and studied are those that impact the history of race. Physical anthropologists
studied physical differences in races such as skeletal material, skull shapes and body
sizes. Cultural anthropologists studied race and structure interaction, while archeologists
studied evolution of cultures (Whitman 2014).
Generally speaking, how can anthropology be described? Anthropology can be
summarized as human history. More research can be conducted to generate informed
conclusions about human history (Field 2004). As one begins to familiarize themselves
with the connection between evolution, culture, race, history, heritage and linguistics then
and only then can they begin to understand anthropology and anthropological theories.
Reference List

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Luz Juliana Charles
Professor Whitman
201527-ANTH-1301-D02
January 21, 2015
Barfield, Thomas ed. (1997) The Dictionary Anthropology. New York, Blackwell
Publishers 40-44.
Borofsky, Rob. 2007. “Public Anthropology (A Personal Perspective).”
http://www.publicanthropology.org/public-anthropology/.
Field, J. S. 2004. “Environmental and Climatic Considerations: A Hypothesis for
Conflict and the Emergence of Social Complexity in Fijian Prehistory.”
Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 23: 79-99.
Goodenough, Ward (1996) “Culture.” Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology Vol.
II. Henry Holt & Co., New York. 291-299.
Kirch, P. V., and J. G. Kahn. 2007. “Advances in Polynesian Prehistory: A
Review and Assessment of the Past Decade (1993–2004).” Journal of
Archaeological Research 15:191-238.
Whitman, L (2014, August 27). Lecture presented in Anthropology 1301. Texas
Tech University, Distance Learning (Lubbock, TX).