anthropology for me as an American cultural anthropologist is the study of the shared ways of organizing reality... while sociology refers more to social/political organization but I should also note that there is a difference in European (read Social Anthropology) and American definitions (read Cultural Anthropology) --- and in the end such difficulties with distinctions are part of why my social science field is a tad insecure and sees perhaps a waning discipline (certainly true on American campuses).... my two cents, Muraco Kyashna-Tocha ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rachel Harris" <R.Harris@udcf.gla.ac.uk> To: <air-l@aoir.org> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 7:39 AM Subject: [Air-l] Anthropology & Sociology
Dear All
I'm in the process of reviewing different perspectives on online (learning) communities. As someone from a sciences/psychology background, I would very much appreciate a definition of the distinction between anthropology and sociology in this area. From what I've read so far, and on a very basic level, it seems that anthropology would focus on the differences amongst people - their shared values and meanings - in different communities; while a sociological approach might be more interested in the structures, social order, etc within different communities.
Can anyone point me to an appropriate article, or suggest a definition?
Thanks for your help.
Rachel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr Rachel A Harris Scottish Centre for Research into On-Line Learning and Assessment University of Glasgow Florentine House 53 Hillhead Street Glasgow, G12 8QQ
0141 330 2878 r.harris@udcf.gla.ac.uk www.scrolla.ac.uk
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