BANC 133
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
IGNOU BANC 133 Free Solved Assignment 2024
BANC 133 Free Solved Assignment July 2024 & Jan 2025
Assignment – A
a. Discuss the history and development of social and cultural anthropology. Discuss its scope and relevance.
Ans. Social and cultural anthropology is a branch of anthropology that focuses on the study of human societies, cultures, and how people live together in communities.
The subject has a long and rich history that has evolved over time.
In the beginning, during the 19th century, anthropology mainly developed in Europe when European countries were colonizing different parts of the world.
The early anthropologists were often travelers, missionaries, or colonial administrators who wrote about the customs, rituals, and daily lives of people they met in faraway lands.
These writings were usually filled with their own views and biases, but they laid the foundation for the formal study of cultures and societies.
One of the earliest thinkers in this field was Edward Burnett Tylor, who is often known as the father of cultural anthropology.
He believed that culture is a complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, and customs.
Around the same time, Lewis Henry Morgan studied kinship and family structures among Native American communities.
These early studies tried to classify societies as “primitive” or “civilized,” which was a very Eurocentric and flawed way of thinking.
However, they were important in starting the conversation about cultural differences.
In the early 20th century, anthropology began to change. Fieldwork became the heart of the discipline.
Instead of just reading or hearing about other cultures, anthropologists began living with the people they studied, observing their way of life, participating in their activities, and learning their language.
This method was called participant observation. A major figure during this period was Bronisław Malinowski, who is known for his work in the Trobriand Islands.
He showed that it was important to understand how people see their own world rather than judging them from outside.
His approach influenced many others and became a standard method in anthropology.
At the same time, in the United States, Franz Boas played a key role in shaping modern anthropology. He strongly opposed the idea of ranking cultures as superior or inferior and introduced the idea of cultural relativism.
He believed that every culture should be understood on its own terms.
His students, such as Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict, went on to do groundbreaking work in understanding personality, gender roles, and child-rearing practices in different cultures.
They showed how culture shapes our everyday life and even our emotions and thoughts.
As time passed, the focus of anthropology expanded. Earlier, anthropologists studied small, isolated communities, but later they started to look at modern societies, cities, and even institutions.
The field also became more aware of issues like colonialism, inequality, racism, and globalization.
Anthropologists began to reflect on their own position and the power dynamics between the observer and the observed.
Feminist anthropology, for instance, highlighted the role of women in cultures and criticized the male-dominated views of early anthropologists.
Now, coming to the scope of social and cultural anthropology, it is very broad. It covers everything related to human life in society.
Anthropologists study kinship systems, religion, language, rituals, economy, politics, art, food habits, health practices, and much more.
It helps us understand why people do what they do, how they organize their lives, and what meanings they attach to their actions.
Anthropology is not limited to tribal societies or remote villages anymore. Today, anthropologists work in urban areas, offices, schools, hospitals, and even virtual spaces like the internet.
The relevance of anthropology in today’s world is very strong. As the world becomes more connected, it is important to understand cultural differences and promote tolerance.
Anthropologists help in building bridges between communities by promoting empathy and respect.
In development work, they help create programs that are sensitive to local customs.
In public health, they study how cultural beliefs affect health behavior.
In business, they help companies understand the cultural preferences of their customers.
Even in conflict resolution, anthropology plays a role in understanding the root causes of tension between groups.
Moreover, in times of rapid change—be it migration, climate change, or technological shifts—anthropologists study how these changes affect human lives and social relationships.
They give voice to marginalized communities and try to understand how people adapt to new challenges.
The discipline encourages us to look beyond our assumptions and appreciate the richness and complexity of human life.
b. Deliberate on the functions of kinship, family and marriage as institutions in a patrilineal society.
Ans. In a patrilineal society, kinship, family, and marriage play very important roles in shaping the social structure and everyday life of people.
These institutions are deeply connected to each other and serve different functions that help in maintaining the order and stability of society.
In simple words, a patrilineal society is one where lineage or descent is traced through the male line.
This means a person belongs to the father’s family, and family name, property, and duties are passed from father to son.
Let’s try to understand how kinship, family, and marriage function in such a system.
First, kinship is the system that defines how people are related to each other. In a patrilineal setup, kinship plays a major role in deciding inheritance, identity, and social roles.
Since descent is traced from the father’s side, relatives from the father’s family are considered more important than those from the mother’s side.
For example, a child belongs to the father’s clan or lineage, and it is through the father that the child gets a place in society.
The father’s brothers, cousins, and other male relatives become key figures in the child’s life.
Kinship also provides emotional and social support. It decides who one can marry, who should take care of whom, and how resources like land and money are shared.
Next comes the family, which is the basic unit of society. In a patrilineal society, the family is usually joint or extended.
This means several generations live together under one roof – grandparents, parents, children, and sometimes even uncles and aunts.
The head of the family is generally the eldest male member, usually the grandfather or father.
He holds authority and takes all important decisions for the family, like financial matters, marriage alliances, and rituals.
The sons stay in the house even after marriage, while daughters are married off to another family and usually do not inherit property from their parents.
This type of family structure strengthens the bond between male relatives and helps in the pooling of resources. It also provides a support system where responsibilities are shared.
Marriage, in a patrilineal society, is not just a union of two individuals but a union of two families or lineages.
It has many functions and is considered a social, cultural, and sometimes even a religious duty.
One of the main aims of marriage is to produce male children who will carry forward the family name and property.
In many such societies, marriage is arranged by the elders, and considerations like caste, clan, family background, and economic status are taken seriously.
Marriages are also used as a way to create alliances and strengthen social ties between families.
The bride is usually expected to move into her husband’s home and adapt to his family’s customs and rules.
This system reinforces the dominance of the male line and ensures that property and social identity continue through the father’s side.
In patrilineal societies, these institutions also play a big role in controlling behavior and maintaining discipline.
For instance, strict rules are followed about who can marry whom, and violations can lead to social punishment.
The family teaches values, traditions, and gender roles. Boys are raised to become future heads of the family, while girls are trained to become good wives and daughters-in-law.
These roles are passed from one generation to the next.
The family also provides care during illness, old age, and crises, and in return, individuals are expected to obey and respect the family head.
However, these systems also come with challenges. The importance given to sons often leads to the neglect of daughters.
Women may have less say in family matters and may not get equal rights in property.
In some cases, the pressure to have male children can create tension in marriages. Even then, these institutions continue to be the backbone of many societies and offer a sense of identity, belonging, and support.
In today’s changing world, patrilineal societies are also experiencing changes. With education, urbanization, and women becoming more independent, traditional roles are slowly being questioned.
Nuclear families are becoming more common, and some people are starting to give daughters equal rights.
But even now, in many rural and traditional areas, the functions of kinship, family, and marriage remain strongly shaped by patrilineal values.
Assignment – B
a. Discuss contemporary theories.
Ans. Contemporary theories are the modern ways of understanding society, human behavior, and cultural life. These theories developed mostly in the 20th and 21st centuries as a response to the changing world.
They focus on issues like power, gender, identity, globalization, media, and everyday life.
Unlike old theories that tried to explain everything with one big idea, contemporary theories accept that the world is complex, and different people experience it in different ways.
One of the most important contemporary theories is feminist theory. It looks at how society treats men and women differently.
Feminist thinkers argue that women have been treated unfairly in many areas like work, education, and family.
This theory studies gender roles and tries to make society more equal. There are different kinds of feminist thought—some focus on equality, while others focus on celebrating women’s unique experiences.
Another key theory is postmodernism. Postmodern thinkers believe that there is no single truth or way to see the world.
They say that what we think is true depends on our culture, background, and personal experiences.
Postmodernism questions everything—even science, religion, and history—and says that people should be free to think in new ways.
It also looks at how media, language, and images shape our understanding of the world.
Post-colonial theory is another major contemporary theory. It studies the impact of colonialism, especially on countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Post-colonial thinkers talk about how European countries controlled and changed the cultures of the places they ruled.
Even after freedom, many of these countries still struggle with the effects of colonial rule. This theory gives voice to the people whose stories were ignored or forgotten in history.
Structuralism and post-structuralism are also important. Structuralism looks at the deep structures of society—like language, culture, and belief systems—that guide our behavior.
Post-structuralism, however, challenges those ideas and says that meanings are never fixed.
It says that language is always changing, and people understand things differently depending on their situation.
Lastly, globalization theory explains how the world is becoming more connected through travel, technology, and communication.
It studies how cultures mix, how economies are linked, and how people are influenced by global trends.
b. Write a note on Fieldwork Tradition in Anthropology.
Ans. Fieldwork tradition is one of the most important parts of anthropology. It means going out into the real world and living among the people a researcher wants to study. Fieldwork is not done by sitting in a library or reading books.
Instead, the anthropologist travels to the location, spends time with the community, learns their language, joins in their daily activities, and observes their way of life.
This method helps the anthropologist understand people deeply, not just from the outside but from within their culture.
The fieldwork tradition in anthropology began in the early 20th century. Before that, many anthropologists wrote about other cultures based on second-hand reports, like travel stories or missionary accounts.
But this changed when Bronisław Malinowski, a famous British anthropologist, went to the Trobriand Islands and lived there for a long time.
He stayed with the local people, learned their language, and took part in their everyday life.
His work became a model for how fieldwork should be done. He believed that to truly understand another culture, one must live with the people, observe their behavior closely, and participate in their life.
This approach is called participant observation, and it became a key method in anthropology.
Through fieldwork, anthropologists collect detailed information about people’s customs, beliefs, rituals, family systems, and social life.
They keep field notes, conduct interviews, record stories, and sometimes take photos or make videos. They try to see the world through the eyes of the people they are studying.
Fieldwork also helps in building trust between the anthropologist and the community, which is very important for honest and respectful research.
Doing fieldwork is not always easy. Anthropologists often face challenges like language barriers, cultural differences, climate conditions, or even loneliness.
But these experiences also help them grow and learn. It teaches them to be patient, open-minded, and respectful of other ways of life.
In today’s time, fieldwork is still an important part of anthropology, but it has also changed.
Now, anthropologists study not just tribal or rural communities, but also cities, workplaces, schools, and even online spaces.
The goal remains the same—to understand people’s lives from their own point of view.
c. Discuss the various components of Fieldwork.
Ans. Fieldwork is the most important part of anthropology. It means going into the field—whether it’s a village, city, or any community—and spending time with the people to understand their life, culture, and behavior.
It is not just about collecting data but about living with people, building trust, and learning how they see the world.
There are many important components of fieldwork that help make it useful and meaningful.
One major component is participant observation. This means the anthropologist not only observes the people but also takes part in their daily activities.
For example, if the community is farming, the researcher might help in the fields. If they are celebrating a festival, the researcher joins in.
This helps the anthropologist get a deeper understanding of the culture from an insider’s point of view.
Another important part of fieldwork is rapport building. This means developing a good relationship with the people being studied.
Without trust, people may not open up or share their true thoughts.
The anthropologist has to be friendly, respectful, and patient. Sometimes it takes weeks or even months to build this kind of relationship.
Language learning is also a key component. To understand people properly, one must know their language, at least the basics.
Knowing the local language helps in communication and shows respect for the culture. It also allows the anthropologist to understand local jokes, stories, and emotions that might be lost in translation.
Interviews and conversations are another big part. Anthropologists often sit down with individuals or groups and talk to them about their life, beliefs, or opinions.
These interviews can be formal or casual, but they are important for gathering personal experiences and stories that provide depth to the study.
Another key element is taking field notes. While doing fieldwork, anthropologists write down everything they see, hear, or feel.
These notes help in analyzing the data later. Some also use audio or video recordings, photographs, and drawings to capture the details of the culture.
Lastly, reflexivity is an important component. This means the anthropologist reflects on their own thoughts, feelings, and biases during the study.
They try to be honest about how their background may affect their understanding of the culture.
Assignment – C
a. Society
Ans. Society is a group of people who live together in an organized way. These people share common rules, values, customs, and ways of living.
Society is not just a crowd; it is a system where people interact with each other, follow traditions, form relationships, and work together.
Each society is different based on language, religion, customs, and lifestyle. Society gives us identity, protection, and support.
From birth to death, we are part of society. It teaches us how to behave, what is right or wrong, and what role we play as individuals.
For example, society shapes us as sons, daughters, students, workers, and citizens. It also helps in managing resources, solving conflicts, and guiding the younger generation.
Social institutions like family, school, religion, and government are all part of society and help in its smooth working.
Without society, humans cannot live a complete or safe life. We depend on each other emotionally, economically, and socially.
In simple words, society is like a big team where every person plays a role to keep the system running.
It keeps changing with time, as people learn new things, face new challenges, or adapt to modern lifestyles.
Even though people come from different backgrounds, society brings them together through shared values and goals.
So, society is not just about living in the same place—it’s about living with cooperation, respect, and understanding.
b. Culture
Ans. Culture is everything that shapes the way people live and think in a society. It includes language, food, dress, music, religion, customs, beliefs, and values.
Culture is not something we are born with; we learn it from our family, school, community, and experiences.
It gives us identity and tells us how to behave in different situations. For example, saying “namaste” in India or bowing in Japan are cultural ways of greeting.
Culture also influences how we celebrate festivals, what food we eat, how we marry, or how we treat elders.
Each society has its own unique culture, and even within a country, different regions may have different cultures.
Culture is passed from one generation to the next through language, traditions, and stories. It also helps us understand others and makes life meaningful.
At the same time, culture is not fixed. It keeps changing with time.
New ideas, technology, and outside influences can change cultural practices.
For example, many people now celebrate both traditional and modern festivals, wear both ethnic and western clothes, or use social media to share cultural events.
Respecting other cultures is also important, especially in a global world where people from different backgrounds live and work together.
In short, culture is like a mirror that reflects how people live, what they value, and how they connect with each other. It brings color, variety, and depth to human life.
c. Questionnaire
Ans. A questionnaire is a research tool used to collect information from people in a planned and structured way.
It contains a list of questions related to a topic, and the person answering gives their responses based on their experiences or opinions.
Questionnaires can be used in surveys, interviews, or studies to understand what people think, feel, or do. There are two main types of questions—open-ended and close-ended.
Open-ended questions allow people to answer freely in their own words. For example, “What do you like about your community?” Close-ended questions offer fixed options like “Yes/No” or “Agree/Disagree.”
The advantage of using questionnaires is that they save time, can reach many people, and provide data that is easy to organize and analyze.
Researchers can print them on paper or use digital forms online. However, designing a good questionnaire takes care and thought.
The questions should be clear, simple, and not too personal or confusing. People must feel comfortable and safe while answering.
Also, the researcher should avoid asking leading or biased questions.
In anthropology and social sciences, questionnaires help understand people’s views on culture, health, education, and social issues. But they should always be used respectfully and ethically.
In short, a questionnaire is a simple but powerful tool that helps collect useful information directly from people. It works best when the questions are honest, respectful, and focused on real-life issues.
d. Rapport Building
Ans. Rapport building means creating a friendly, trusting relationship between the researcher and the people they are studying. It is one of the most important parts of fieldwork, especially in anthropology.
When an anthropologist enters a new community, the people there may be shy, suspicious, or uncomfortable. So, the first step is to build rapport.
This means spending time with them, showing respect for their culture, listening carefully, and being kind and open.
It’s about making people feel safe so they can share their real thoughts and feelings.
Without rapport, people may not open up, and the information collected may not be honest or useful.
To build rapport, the researcher should learn basic language skills, participate in daily life activities, and avoid being judgmental.
For example, sharing meals, attending local festivals, or helping with small tasks can make people feel the researcher is not just an outsider but a friend.
Over time, this trust helps in getting deep insights into people’s lives, customs, and emotions.
Rapport also means understanding the right time to ask questions, knowing when to just listen, and respecting privacy. It requires patience and sincerity.
Once rapport is built, the research becomes smoother, and the people feel more comfortable talking openly. In short, rapport building is like planting a seed of friendship.
With time, care, and respect, it grows into a strong bond that helps in collecting real and meaningful knowledge about human life.
e. Methods and Tools
Ans. In anthropology, methods and tools are the ways and instruments used to study people and their cultures. These help the anthropologist collect information in a proper, respectful, and detailed way.
The most important method in anthropology is participant observation.
This means the researcher lives in the community, joins their daily life, and observes how people behave and interact. This method gives deep understanding and real experiences.
Another common method is the interview. It may be formal or informal, depending on the situation. Through interviews, people share their thoughts, beliefs, and personal stories.
These are useful in understanding emotions, opinions, and local knowledge. Questionnaires are also used when the researcher needs to ask many people the same set of questions. This helps in collecting large amounts of data quickly.
Case studies are another important method. In this, the anthropologist focuses deeply on one person, family, or event to understand a culture in detail.
Genealogies, or family trees, are tools that help study kinship and social structure. They show how people are related and how roles pass from one generation to another.
Field notes are also essential. Researchers write daily notes about what they see and hear.
These notes help later in analysis and writing reports. Cameras, audio recorders, maps, and charts are useful tools to document and organize data.
f. Diffusionism
Ans. Diffusionism is a theory in anthropology that explains how culture spreads from one place to another. It says that no society creates all its cultural practices by itself.
Instead, cultures grow by borrowing and sharing ideas, tools, customs, and inventions from other cultures. This borrowing is called “diffusion.”
According to diffusionism, when people from different regions meet—through travel, trade, war, or migration—they exchange their ideas and practices.
For example, paper was first made in China, but later it spread to Europe. Similarly, food items like potatoes and chillies came to India from the Americas. These are all examples of cultural diffusion.
There were two main types of diffusionist thinking. The British school, led by thinkers like Grafton Elliot Smith, believed that all culture began in one place—Egypt—and spread across the world.
The German school, led by Fritz Graebner, believed that different cultural centers developed, and their ideas spread outward to other areas.
However, diffusionism was later criticized because it did not fully respect the creativity of local cultures. It made it seem like some societies only copied others.
Modern anthropology now believes that while diffusion is important, societies also create and change their own cultures in unique ways.
Still, diffusionism helped people understand how connected the world has always been. It showed that cultures do not grow in isolation, but through contact, sharing, and learning from one another.
IGNOU BANC 132 Free Solved Assignment 2024
IGNOU BANC 131 Free Solved Assignment 2024