Final answer:
North American anthropology initially focused on Native American cultures but evolved to include women's perspectives and a critical examination of the field's male-centric biases. It has also expanded to acknowledge the complex pre-Columbian societies and the diverse cultures present before European contact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The history of anthropology in North America has seen a significant evolution over time. Initially, anthropology was preoccupied with the study of Native American cultures, focusing on areas such as language documentation and the survival of indigenous people on reservations. However, influenced by the women's movement of the 1960s, female anthropologists in the early 1970s began to critique this male-dominated field. They pushed for an "anthropology of women," aiming to bring women's voices and perspectives to the forefront. This shift exemplifies the dynamic nature of the field, acknowledging past oversights and advocating for a more inclusive approach to anthropological research.The aspects once overlooked, like the study of Black culture and relations, suggested by graduate student Willis, or the balanced representation of gender in ethnographic studies, also found consideration over time. Moreover, the acknowledgment of sedentary, agriculturally-based societies in pre-Columbian North America and the complexity of their social networks reveal a growing understanding and appreciation of the continent's rich indigenous history, beyond the earlier stereotypes.Contributions over the centuries have now led to a broader depiction of anthropology in North America, characterized by the acknowledgment of more diverse societies and the importance of including various perspectives to provide a more accurate representation of human cultures.