A Study Of Spindler’s Educational Anthropology

As a leader of American Anthropologists from20C, Spindler is called “theFather of American Educational anthropology". His thoughts influenced the wholeeducational anthropology’s development. Before the WWII, Spindler had set foot in it,using the methods of anthropology in Educational problems. It can be a creative thingat the time. He studies the problems in teaching and education under the theories andmethods in Anthropology. His study developed a new subject called “Educationalanthropology”. Therefore, his thought plays an important part in the development ofEducational anthropology. But it is still a new concept for many Chinese researchers.The research of Educational anthropology has set the first step for native scholars. Nomatter for the study or subject contribution, it all needs the results of foreign study.The conclusion of Spindler’s thought can improve the native study and self-study forthe subject for all Chinese scholars.This paper is just an introduction of Spindler and his thought based on theliterature, through the introduction of his background, life and the different phases.And it gives a brief introduction of Spindler’s thought, including three majorachievements of his, that is “Cultural Theory”, the difference between male/female,and the relationship in school and community. What I have done is hoping that canhelp more people know the new subject, being interest in it and devoting to thedevelopment of it. And at last, I give some small tips to the practice in ChineseEducational anthropology.