Anthropology

Anthropology is generally broken down into three subdisciplines: biological anthropology,cultural anthropology and archeology. Biological anthropology is defined as the scientific study of physical characteristics, variability and evolution of the human organism. Cultural anthropology is concerned with the non biological, behavioural aspects of society i.e., linguistic, and technological components underlying human behaviour. Two important branches of cultural anthropology are ethnography( the study of living cultures)and ethnology ( which attempts to compare cultures using ethnographic evidence. Archaeology is a subdiscipline of anthropology involving the study of the human past through its material remains. Other divisions of anthropology include economic anthropology, forensic anthropology, lingustic anthropology, Marxist anthropology, psychological anthropology, socio cultural anthropology and palaeontology.

This branch of science is concerned with man in time and space. Here ‘time’ means the stages of development of man in the process of evolution (socio-cultural) during different periods of time, while ‘space’ refers to the differentiation of physical and cultural types in modern man living in different environs all over the globe. Thus, Anthropology has two principal focuses, human evolution and variation (physical as well as cultural).

Anthropology is the study of humanity - our physical characteristics as animals and our unique non biological characteristics. Applied anthropolgy is a growing branch of the anthropological sciences devoted to applying anthropological language to the solution of human problems. Applied Anthropologists are professional consultants and onboard problem solvers in many fields that require a theoretical and practical understanding of human cultural behaviour or human biology.

Nature of Work

Study of anthropology tells us about man’s behaviour from different angles in order to generate authentic theoretical knowledge about man. In its attempt of studying various dimensions of man’s existence and behaviour, Anthropologists pursue specialised branches. Some of the elementary branches are:

* Physical Anthropology

* Archaeological Anthropology

* Socio - Cultural Anthropology

* Linguistic Anthropology

* Applied Anthropology

Physical anthropology

The Physical anthropologist is concerned with man as a physical organism, with his place in the scheme of biological evolution. He deals with the classification of early forms of man, the physical difference between the races of the species, Homo species, human genetics, modes of physiological adaptation and reaction to different physical environments.

Archaeological anthropologist

Archaeological anthropologists investigate and analyse the various remains of early human activity. These remains consist either of bones or of material objects shaped by people. Prehistoric archaeologists’ main task is to dig up, identify and classify these relics to compare them with material from other areas and to determine the chronological sequences in which they occurred. This is the historical construction based on non literary evidences.

Socio-cultural anthropologist

They deal with the associations, bands, tribes, communities or the manner in which people collect themselves and form groups. They study about people and their ways of life.

Linguistic anthropologist

This branch of Anthropology deals with language. While linguistics are mainly concerned with the study of how language, particularly written, is constructed and structured the linguistic anthropologists study both unwritten and written languages.

Applied anthropologist

Anthropologists have helped governmental agencies in the areas of birth control, malnutrition, growth, medicine, juvenile delinquency, agricultural methods and practices, tribal welfare and rehabilitation and above all in solving industrial problems of labour unrest.

Study and Training

To study anthropology any graduate is eligible for a postgraduate (MA) Course in Anthropology. The entrance requirement may be a specified aggregate and a written test. Students pursuing science can do a B.Sc./M.Sc. course in Anthropology .

Courses and Institutions

BA/MA courses in anthropology

Visva Bharati, P.O. Shantiniketan 731235

Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh 825301

Ranchi University, Ranchi 834001

University of Rajasthan, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur 302004

Punjab University, Patiala 147002 Punjab

Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur 492010, Madhya Pradesh

University of Pune, Ganesh Khind, Pune 411007

North Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022

University of Mysore, Mysore 570005, Karnataka

Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati 517502, Chitoor Distt.

University of Madras, Centenary Buildings, Chennai 600005

University of Lucknow, Badshah Bagh, Lucknow 226007 U.P.

Karnatak University, Dharwad 580003

Kanpur University, Kalyanpur, Kanpur 208024

University of Hyderabad, P O Central University, Hyderabad 500134

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, Garhwal University, Srinagar 246174 (UP)

Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar 470003 (MP)

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530003

University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002 (UP)

Utkal University, PO Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar 751004

Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla 768017, Sambalpur (Orissa)

Punjab University, Sector-14, Chandigarh 160014

Anthropologists

Anthropologists trace the origin and evolutionary development of man by studying the changed physical characteristics and cultural, social institutions. ‘Anthropology (‘Anthro’) is a study of universalities and uniqueness, a study of startling contrast and surprising similarity, a study of meaning and logic in what seems bizarre’ according to Roger Keesing and Felix Keesing.

This branch of science is concerned with man in time and space. Here ‘time’ means the stage of development of man in the process of evolution (sociocultural) during different periods of time, while ‘space’ refers to the differentiation of physical and cultural types in modern man living in different environs all over the globe. Thus, Anthropology has two principal focuses, human evolution and variation (physical as well as cultural).

Anthropological data is used for understanding of human relations in trans cultural and foreign relations, industrial relations, ethnic and racial influences, political administration, social welfare, education and public health.

Nature of Work

Study of Anthropology tells us about man’s behaviour from different angles in order to generate authentic theoretical knowledge about man. In its attempt for studying various dimensions of man’s existence and behaviour, anthropologists pursue specialised branches. Some of the elementary branches are:

-- Physical Anthropology

-- Archaeological Anthropology

-- Socio-Cultural Anthropology

-- Linguistic Anthropology

-- Applied Anthropology

Physical anthropology

Physical anthropologist is concerned with man as a physical organism, with his place in the scheme of biological evolution. He deals with the classification of early forms of man, the physical difference between the races of the species, homo species, human genetics, modes of physiological adaptation and reaction to different physical environments.

Physical anthropologists apply their training to forensic or genetic study. Medical anthropologists study the effects of heredity and environment and use this knowledge to study cultural attitudes toward health and nutrition to advise on health schemes urban and rural.

Physical anthropologists have studied extensively the social organisation, dietary and other behaviours of primates to understand human behaviour, motivation and human origin. Currently anthropological study is contributing towards conservation issues.

Archaeological anthropologist

Archaeological Anthropologists investigate and analyse remains of early human activity e.g bones or material objects shaped by people. Prehistoric archaeologists’ main task is to dig up, identify and classify these relics to compare them with material from other areas and to determine the chronological sequences in which they occurred. This is historical construction based on non literary evidences. Prehistoric archaeologists study cultures that existed prior to the period of recorded history while historical archaeologists study more recent societies.

Socio-cultural anthropologist

Socio cultural anthropologists study both current and extinct societies study human behaviour, religion, language, politics, social structure and tradition, mythology, art and intellectual growth. The main areas of study relate to historical, social and cultural development. The study often relates to particular societies - their traditions and values.They also deal with associations, bands, tribes, communities or the manner in which people collect themselves and form groups. They study about people and their ways of life. They apply this knowledge for cross cultural communications and understanding of cultural evolution of races.

Linguistic anthropologist

Linguistic anthropologists work very much like cultural anthropologists.They focus on language to understand a society and its culture. Linguistic anthropology is particularly relevant for the study of gender relations, education and politics. Linguistics are mainly concerned with the study of how language, particularly written, is constructed and structured. Linguistic anthropologists study both unwritten and written languages.

Applied anthropologist

Anthropologists have helped governmental agencies in the area of birth control, malnutrition, growth, medicine, juvenile delinquency, agricultural methods and practices, tribal welfare and rehabilitation and above all in solving industrial problems of labour unrest.

Work Environment

Anthropologists work in educational libraries as well as in the field. Fieldwork entails working in difficult and remote areas. Physical stamina and the ability to adapt to difficult situations is required. Archaeological anthropologists work at excavation sites. Long working hours and primitive living conditions are not uncommon. Socio-cultural anthropologists work in corporate/consultancy offices.

Personal Characteristics

Anthropologists work mainly in projects taken up by museums and universities for archaeological investigations, biological evolutionary studies and other research areas including languages. Students taking this profession should have interest in history, various cultures and customs of tribal and communities. Those working with Government organisation in demography, agricultural practices, tribal welfare and human resource development require good language ability, a logical mind and good memory. Ability to work on a task away in forests, in habitated areas for long hours and over a long period with sustained interest in the job is important job entails working with details.

Employment Avenues

Job opportunities are available with International organisations like WHO, UNICEF, UN volunteer programmes, non Government organisations working for development of tribal areas/backward areas, medical research establishments working on nutrition/preventive medicine, human resources department of large firms for cross cultural communication training of managers. Universities and museums for Archaeological surveys & research and biological surveys employ archaeologists.

It is expected that most new jobs in the coming decades will be non teaching positions in consulting firms, research institutes, media,corporations and the government. Growing awareness about environmental issues, historic and cultural variations of various nations and the need to preserve traditions has created job opportunities in a variety of related organisations.

Study/Training

Anthropologists come from humanities or science backgrounds, hence graduation can be pursued in both BSc/BA streams. These are 3 year courses followed by specialization at post graduation level of 2 yrs.

Studying Anthropology

What is anthropology?

Anthropology concerns itself with humans as complex social beings with a capacity for language, thought and culture. The study of anthropology is about understanding biological and cultural aspects of life among peoples throughout the world.

All humans are born with the same basic physical characteristics but, depending on where they grow up, each individual is exposed to different climates, food, languages, religious beliefs, and so on. However human beings are not simply shaped by their environment, they also actively shape the world in which they love. A key aim of anthology is to understand the common constraints within which human beings operate as well as the differences which are evident between particular societies and cultures.

Given such concerns, the potential subject matter of anthropology is truly vast. Researchers nowadays tend to specialise on in or another branch of the discipline. Some, called physical or biological anthropologists, investigate such topics as how humans or human-like creatures evolved over thousands or millions or years, as well as our genetic and behavioural relationships with non-human primates. Others, called social or cultural anthropologists, study such things as the very varied ways in which different peoples organise themselves to ensure stable agricultural production or community life. They might study different assumptions people hold about how the world works as revealed in their religious beliefs and practices. They might study the many material forms that people produce such as their houses, dress, crafts and art. In this Guide we discuss both of these kinds of anthology, although we say more about the social and cultural side of the discipline.

Where can I study anthropology?

Social anthropology is currently taught to degree level in about 27 UK universities or their constituent colleges. It may be studies as part of a wider degree in so other universities; it may also be studied part-time at some institutions. Further information on undergraduate courses is obtainable from the UCAS Handbook.

What do anthropologists do?

To understand what a social anthropologist does you will need to imagine for a moment what would happen if they were suddenly transported to a very different culture in a different part of the world, and told you had to stay there for a year or more. To begin with, you would probably feel somewhat bewildered, unable to understand the language spoken, eat the food without longing for home cooking, or enter someone's home without unwittingly doing something that appeared rude to your hosts. After a few months you would begin to understand how to avoid social pitfalls, and after a year you might even be able to speak the language with a certain degree of fluency. Gradually, mutual understanding and trust would develop and you would begin to experience the world through the medium of another culture

This process of familiarisation is similar to the experience of many anthropologists who go abroad to study another culture. The anthropologist's approach to enquiry is thus very different to working in a laboratory: the researcher should not seek to control the behaviour of the people being studied, but rather immerse him or herself in their lives as much as possible.

The job of the anthropologist is frequently to make the apparently strange and exotic seem comprehensible once put into the context of another culture. Conversely, anthologists may wish to make 'natural' or 'commonsensical' behaviours seem in need of just as much explanation as any custom carried out by people in a foreign culture. Imagine trying to explain the point of playing a football or cricket match to someone who didn't know what sport was, for instance!

A biological or physical anthropologist might well work in a laboratory, for example, on blood or bones samples. However, they could equally well work in different cultural contexts which require knowledge and sensitivity to local cultural norms and values. Thus, in understanding the cause of illness within a given population it is necessary to develop a detailed understanding of how physical contract and well0-being are shaped by social and cultural factors. For example, it is not enough for a biological anthropologist to discover that a local diet results in deficiencies of vitamin A and therefore increases the possibility of blindness. They would also need to take into account the symbolic and ritual significance of certain foodstuffs before assuming that changes in diet could easily be effected.

What does a degree in anthropology involve?

A degree in social anthropology provides a broad intellectual foundation for many careers, which involve social research and communication skills and an ability to analyse and problem-solve. Its comparative perspective not only enables us to 'understand the familiar better' but leads to a cross-cultural awareness at home and abroad. A graduate training involving fieldwork will, additionally, provide experience in doing research, which involves people and their social relationships and will aid the development of organisational, communicative and logistical expertise.