An Intro to Anthropology

Hello! Welcome to the Athletic Anthropology blog, where we journey through the world of sports, looking at the influence and impact they have on culture and society. In this debut segment, I'll talk about my background in sports and some basics of anthropology. I encourage you to leave a comment or question in the forum section after you've read the post.

My name is Devan, and I am a 15-year-old high school sophomore who is passionate about sports. It's hard to stay when I first fell in love with sports, but for as long as I can remember, they have always been at the front of my mind. I believe that my fondness for them comes from my competitive spirit, which manifests itself through sports. In my early years, I participated in several sports ranging from swimming to karate to soccer. Although I enjoyed these activities while they lasted, it was the time during recess and gym class at school that helped fostered my love for sports. During these times, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and participated in numerous sports. I am very passionate about playing sports because I love the suspenseful, adrenaline-filled moments they create. This continued throughout elementary and middle school where I used my love of sports to bond and connect with others. I continue my passion for sports today by playing football, basketball, and running track. I also enjoy watching sports on T.V and playing sports-themed video games like Madden Football and 2k Basketball.

My interest in anthropology and its connection to sports started after I participated in an online course about sports and society from Duke. I found that I was attentive and engrossed in the material, truly interested in the lectures and seminars. I was excited about the course and decided to document the things I am learning through this blog.

So, let's talk a little bit about what Anthropology actually is. Anthropology is the study of human societies, cultures, and their development. I am not a fan of this definition as it fails to highlight the complex and intriguing parts of culture that I find so very interesting. Aspects like religion, food, and music, not to mention sports. These are things that we encounter every day and their impact on us is often overlooked. The work of anthropologists is to embrace and partake in different cultures and to document their experiences. They then reflect on their experiences, allowing them to better understand the culture they were involved in. I look forward to sharing my passion for sports with you as we learn about how sports affect the world.