Anthropology in a Diverse World
APY1501
Learning Theme 1 – What is Anthropology
1.1 Introduction:
Anthropology is the study of humankind everywhere, both past and present.
The discipline itself with a wide variety of question that in one way or another,
relate to the human condition and experience.
Given that anthropology is characterised by this curiosity about people and
attempts to “make sense” of human behaviour, the questions raised by these
issues are among those that anthropologists seek to answer.
“Anthropology is an intellectually challenging, theoretically ambitious subject
which tries to achieve an understanding of culture, society and humanity
through detailed studies of local life, supplemented by comparison.”
Anthropology brings fundamental insights in the human condition, and helps
making sense of the contemporary world.
It produces info, knowledge and understanding of what makes people
different and what makes them similar, and looks at what all human beings
have in common.
Sets out to develop a better understanding of diverse societies in different
contexts by spending time with people in their particular settings.
Anthropologists mostly face 3 basic situations in the job market:
o Have to compete with other’s who are not trained in anthro.
o Hired on the basis of that they can do, not what they studied.
o Overcome the stereotypical views that people, including employers,
have toward anthropologists.
Transferrable skills – skills and abilities that are relevant in many
environments. They can be “ported” to different occupations.
1.2 Anthropology and Other Disciplines:
Discipline – is a branch of science. Different disciplines have different fields of
study, each with its particular approach and methods of obtaining data.
Psychology studies the mental life of humans by scientific and interpretive
methods.
o Anthro’s would argue that individual psychology is shaped by that
particular human environment or sociocultural context in which a
person grows up and live in.
, Sociology studies the social life of people, particularly the social relations,
organisation and human behaviour of human societies.
o Anthro’s share these interests, but there are significant differences
between the disciplines.
o Sociologists use quantitative data.
o Anthro’s use qualitative research strategies – aims to get a better
understanding through first-hand experience, observation, participation
and truthful reporting of actual conversations.
1.3 The Subfields of Anthropology:
Historically anthropologists specialised in one of the four subfields that
compose of:
o Biological/physical anthropology
o Archaeology
o Linguistic anthropology
o Sociocultural anthropology
Today, many anthro’s no longer subscribe to the four subfield approach,
mainly because they are so closely related and many of the areas of interest
overlap.
Biological/Physical Anthro has developed to the extent that it has become an
extensive and comprehensive specialised field (Learning Theme 3)
Biological/Physical Anthro:
o Entails the study of the past and present evolution of the human
species and is especially concerned with understanding the causes of
present human diversity.
o Focus on the fossil remains of prehistoric human-like beings, which
have been preserved in the earth’s crust, the polar regions and
swamps.
o Demographic factors are of interest.
o Demographics – refer to statistical data concerning populations, that is,
the size, composition and development of populations. Such statistical
data are acquired by census surveys concerning the registration of
births, deaths, marriages and migration of people.
Archaeology:
o Studies the past living conditions and changes that occurred in human
populations during prehistoric times.
o Writing is a relatively recent development and more that 99% of the
early history of human beings has become known through
archaeological and, to a lesser degree, through anthropological
sources and research methods.
APY1501
Learning Theme 1 – What is Anthropology
1.1 Introduction:
Anthropology is the study of humankind everywhere, both past and present.
The discipline itself with a wide variety of question that in one way or another,
relate to the human condition and experience.
Given that anthropology is characterised by this curiosity about people and
attempts to “make sense” of human behaviour, the questions raised by these
issues are among those that anthropologists seek to answer.
“Anthropology is an intellectually challenging, theoretically ambitious subject
which tries to achieve an understanding of culture, society and humanity
through detailed studies of local life, supplemented by comparison.”
Anthropology brings fundamental insights in the human condition, and helps
making sense of the contemporary world.
It produces info, knowledge and understanding of what makes people
different and what makes them similar, and looks at what all human beings
have in common.
Sets out to develop a better understanding of diverse societies in different
contexts by spending time with people in their particular settings.
Anthropologists mostly face 3 basic situations in the job market:
o Have to compete with other’s who are not trained in anthro.
o Hired on the basis of that they can do, not what they studied.
o Overcome the stereotypical views that people, including employers,
have toward anthropologists.
Transferrable skills – skills and abilities that are relevant in many
environments. They can be “ported” to different occupations.
1.2 Anthropology and Other Disciplines:
Discipline – is a branch of science. Different disciplines have different fields of
study, each with its particular approach and methods of obtaining data.
Psychology studies the mental life of humans by scientific and interpretive
methods.
o Anthro’s would argue that individual psychology is shaped by that
particular human environment or sociocultural context in which a
person grows up and live in.
, Sociology studies the social life of people, particularly the social relations,
organisation and human behaviour of human societies.
o Anthro’s share these interests, but there are significant differences
between the disciplines.
o Sociologists use quantitative data.
o Anthro’s use qualitative research strategies – aims to get a better
understanding through first-hand experience, observation, participation
and truthful reporting of actual conversations.
1.3 The Subfields of Anthropology:
Historically anthropologists specialised in one of the four subfields that
compose of:
o Biological/physical anthropology
o Archaeology
o Linguistic anthropology
o Sociocultural anthropology
Today, many anthro’s no longer subscribe to the four subfield approach,
mainly because they are so closely related and many of the areas of interest
overlap.
Biological/Physical Anthro has developed to the extent that it has become an
extensive and comprehensive specialised field (Learning Theme 3)
Biological/Physical Anthro:
o Entails the study of the past and present evolution of the human
species and is especially concerned with understanding the causes of
present human diversity.
o Focus on the fossil remains of prehistoric human-like beings, which
have been preserved in the earth’s crust, the polar regions and
swamps.
o Demographic factors are of interest.
o Demographics – refer to statistical data concerning populations, that is,
the size, composition and development of populations. Such statistical
data are acquired by census surveys concerning the registration of
births, deaths, marriages and migration of people.
Archaeology:
o Studies the past living conditions and changes that occurred in human
populations during prehistoric times.
o Writing is a relatively recent development and more that 99% of the
early history of human beings has become known through
archaeological and, to a lesser degree, through anthropological
sources and research methods.
