Hello, my name is Janay Ramirez and I am a rising senior studying Human Biology on the Pre PA track. I’ve never studied Anthropology before, but I am excited to see what this class entails and the interesting things we will be discussing with one another.
I’ve never given the study of Primatology much thought but after reading about it in lecture I wanted to do more research, so I went onto the American society of Primatologist website. In the beginning I thought primatology would only be about primates and I was half way correct but it also linked into the study of human evolution as well. From the just opening the website you can see that the society’s main purpose at the moment is education. The society’s aim is to bring in primatologist from all over and promote their scientific findings and get Primatology out into the world that people are talking about it.
The American Society of Primatologists
Our educational aims include encouraging the development of educational programs in primatology, promoting improved instruction regarding primates, and providing information on employment opportunities and educational programs. We also seek to facilitate hiring of primatologists in academic and research institutions, and to review and promote public education regarding primates and primate research.
Another tab of their website focuses on the research that has been going on in the society having access to chapters in scientific journals that are being published as well as offering areas to get grants from the society. Along with this they also offer links to articles that are currently trending keep those who visit up to date. In regard to giving grants, I think it is pretty cool giving everyone a chance to apply for these grants because students or others trying to get into the science field don’t have opportunities to get their research funded. The journals that are linked on the website are not free however they are reasonable and all of their proceeds go back into the society so that they can continue to give grants an d continue research so I think if someone was interested enough it would be worth the purchase.
One thing I found interesting about the American Society of Primatologists is that they have locations and viability to their annual meetings that anyone can get involved with. Even giving transportations options and hotel suggestions. I think giving this much accessibility to the public is important because it says that anyone can be involved with the study of primatology.
Primatology is an important subfield of biological anthropology because not only does it give us more inside into our distant cousins’ primates but also gives us as scientist a greater view into human evolution as well. Which is how it is connecting to the border topic of anthropology, which is the study of human societies and cultures and their development. Without subfields like primatology or evolutionary anthropology we wouldn’t be able to make these connections and find the patterns we see with in societies and through human development.
Hi Janay,
It sounds like the American Society of Primatology is a very interesting organization. As a fellow Human Biology major I also have minimal experience in anthropology, but primatology is very intertwined with much of what we study. The evolution from primates to humans is something I look forward to learning more about in this course. It sounds like the American Society of Primatology is also a good place to supplement material we will cover in class as well as a way to get involved in other educational opportunities. Evolution is a topic that I find to be very interesting so I plan on checking out the website you mentioned. Overall it sounds like this is a great organization with a strong passion to educate others.
Hey Janay,
I also did my blog post on primatology and also found a bunch of interesting information on the insights it can give us on humanity. I have a bit more experience with anthropology, simply because I explored it in my undergrad, and even ran into a sort of anthropology, called German Philosophical Anthropology last year, which is chiefly concerned with dissecting what it means for us to be human. The thinkers associated with this philosophy, Such as Ernst Cassirer, Max Scheler and Arnold Gehlen, also referred to much of the primate research being done before and after the second world war. They were largely interested in how primates and other animals differed from humans in their relation to their environment, their level of adaptedness, the extent of their mental faculties, and their access to knowing things symbolically. This information was often used comparatively, to distinguish humans as other than animals, along with primates. It will be interesting to see if or how the German Philosophical Anthropology movement expresses itself in Physical Anthropology.
Hey! I am also a senior but on the Pre-Med track. I have yet to take a class on anthropology as well! I love that you found interest in human evolution and primatology, I too think it is very interesting. Before starting this class I did not have much of an understanding at all of what anthropology was. Now that I have some understanding after this first week, I think it is very important for the world to know more about anthropology, especially primatology. Knowing and understanding human evolution is extremely important in understanding how us humans today can better our lives. Whether that focus is on our health, culture, etc. we can find more information to better our lives as a society.
Hi Janay,
I also have never studied Anthropology or given any thought to Primatology. I also explored the American Society of Primatology. I really like how much emphasis they have on education. It really shows how much education means to them through all of the different resources they provide for it. I also really liked the research and grant aspect of the American Society of Primatology. Even though the journals offered by the society are not free, they feature one article every month for free. I think that is a nice way for someone to understand if that is something they would want to put their money toward. I remember reading about the society’s annual meetings, but I forgot about all the accommodations they provide to make it easier for the public to get involved. Overall, this organization really stood out to me because of its emphasis on education.
Hey!
I also had never studied Anthropology in terms of Primatology or any other sub fields. I had only basic knowledge sof human evolution and its importance for various studies and reasons. The website you explored American Society of Primatology seemed very orgnaized and resourceful organization. Various opportunities that are for education, meetings to develop the education program of Primatology even with grants. It seems like the organization tries to encourage primatologists and future primatologists. It was interesting what you said at the end that without anthropology or evolution anthropology, it would be hard to find connections or patterns in today’s society.
Hi Janay,
I have always thought primatology was interesting but never knew a lot about it. I also have never studied the anthropology field! The American Society of Primatology sounds like an amazing organization. I agree that it is great that they give a lot of accessibility with travel and hotel options to their members. I think it is very important to give everyone accessibility to further their education in fields that they specialize in or are just simply interested in. I also think primatology is important since it connects us to our distant cousins and teaches us about evolution. I am excited to learn more about primatology and think you did a good job explaining why it is so important!
Hi, Janay!
Primatology didn’t stand out much to me in the original lectures but reading your post has made it more interesting to me as far as how it plays into the greater scheme of evolutionary sciences. It really is critical that we study this in order to better understand where we are now. What I also found interesting was that the organization makes it possible for many people to be involved with primatology, which is not something I would assume. It seems that fields like these are only for those devoting a large amount of their time and careers to it, but it is cool that organizations like this make it so all can learn from and about our evolution as humans.
I also waned to add that I loved that you quoted from the website! It really shows that you took the time to read and learn!