ANTHROPOLOGY

Anthropology basically has its etymological origins in the Greek words "Anthropos" meaning human being and "logos" meaning study. Anthropology is thus a study of the history of the development of human beings. Though anthropology was originally purely a Natural Science it has evolved into a much more complex field of study where the human society, as much as the human evolution, is a major subject of inquiry. The fathers of anthropology include the illustrious Claude Levi-Strauss, Edward Burnett Tylor, Emile Durkheim, Lewis H. Morgan, Bronislaw Malinowski, Franz Boas, etc.

In its initial stages anthropology was often used by the colonizers to classify the colonized order but today anthropology has emerged as a great proponent of multiculturalism and pluralism. It has also been instrumental in exploding the myth of racial superiority. Anthropology can be divided into more specialized branches of study. This division is known as the "four-field" approach to the subject. These four divisions are:

• Biological Anthropology


• Archaeology


• Socio-Cultural Anthropology


• Linguistic Anthropology

Each of these branches are broad fields of studies which can then be further sub divided. For instance, Biological anthropologists are people who deal with primatology, forensic anthropology, evolutionary genetics, etc. Socio-Cultural anthropology can be very similarly divided into various branches of study and research like the study of folklore, ethnic studies, psychological anthropology, media studies, cultural studies, etc. Semiotics, sociolinguistics, narrative analysis and discourse analysis fall under the broader linguistic branch of anthropology. Archaeology in its turn, contributes to the enrichment of various other fields of study such as population genetics, history, etc.




Anthropologists have to be involved in most and more extensively with field work and researching. There are various institutes which employ anthropologists and most importantly the Anthropological Survey of India. Anthropologists are usually employed as professors in various universities which offer courses on anthropology. Field work often involves study of certain ethnic groups or ancient artefacts in remote locations for long periods. The field work can be usually both physically and mentally exhaustive and involve working in locations with low comfort levels.



A person having completed his schooling in the science stream is eligible to study anthropology in college. As in most of the colleges and universities the bachelor's degree is a B.Sc. Therefore, having studied science is a must. Individual colleges or universities also have different requirements such as grounding in 10+2 (with biology) and different percentages of marks are required to take admission to a course in anthropology. Similarly, for a master's degree in anthropology (M.Sc.), one needs to have completed the B.Sc. with requisite marks. Further academic options include PhD and research. However, some universities also offer B.A and M.A in Anthropology.



An Anthropologist needs to be well prepared for physical hard work like travelling, excavating, etc. He or she should also be open-minded and unbiased. This quality is of utmost importance as a biased person (like the nineteenth century white colonizers who were predisposed to treat people with different skin color as inferiors) will not be able to derive the right conclusions from their research and study. An anthropologist is required to write down his or her findings; so some skill in the written language is also necessary.



The degree courses offered in Anthropology include the bachelor's degree in science and the master's degree in science. One can also pursue Ph.D after completion of graduation studies. As mentioned above, it is also possible to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in arts in Anthropology. The bachelor's degree, mostly like other arts and science subjects, have a three year course of study whereas the master's courses have a two year course of study.

Anthropology Visva Bharati University (West Bengal) Pt.Ravishankar Shukla University (Chhatisgarh), Vinoba Bhave University (Jharkhand), Berhampur University (Orissa), University of Calcutta (West Bengal), University of Delhi (Delhi), University of Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), University of Mysore (Karnataka), Sambalpur University (Orissa), Vidyasagar University (West Bengal), Manipur University (Manipur) Bangalore University (Bangalore) University of Rajashthan (Rajasthan) North Eastern Hill University (Meghalaya) Pune University (Maharashtra ) Dibrugarh University (Assam ) Guwahati University (Assam ) Sri Venkateswara University (Andhra Pradesh) University of Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) Utkal University (Orissa) Siddhu Kanhu University (Jharkhand) Kurukshetra University (Haryana) University of Mumbai (Maharashtra)

. There are several streams in which one can specialise in Anthropology. Some of them are Prehistoric Anthropology, Sociocultural Anthropology, or Archaeology, Physical or Biological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology and Applied Anthropology.

Socio-cultural Anthropology: It deals with the different aspects of socio-cultural behavior like how groups and communities are formed and the development of cultures. One studies socio-economic changes like cultural differences among the various communities and regions and the causes behind such differences and also cross-cultural communication, the evolution of languages, the evolution of technology and the patterns of change in different cultures.

Prehistoric-Anthropology or Archaeology: it is an attempt to reconstruct history on the basis of relics like statues, bones, coins and other historical artifacts. Such discoveries help to reconstruct early history and social customs and traditions. Archaeologists also are the people who try to analyse social activity from such discoveries. They also make use of all the contemporary records or historical documents to tally with their discoveries and then reconstruct early human history.

Physical or Biological Anthropology: This stream of anthropology is concerned with physical or biological characteristics of the primate order, like, humans and the links with other primates like chimpanzees, gorillas and monkeys. This branch tries to understand social customs through the evolutionary chain. It also explores the physical differences between races and the way in which different races have adapted themselves physiologically and their reactions to different environments. Biological or physical anthropology also has other sub streams or sub disciplines. These provide further specialisation options. These include primate biology, osteology (the study of bones and skeletons), paleoanthropology and forensic anthropology.

Applied Anthropology: Applied anthropology puts to use the information collected from other branches of anthropology and then uses this data in programmes like large scale initiatives for birth control, health treatment, reducing malnutrition, trying to curb juvenile delinquency, solving labour problems and worker protests in industries, improving agricultural practices, preventing tribal welfare and helping in tribal rehabilitation when their land is taken over or they are forcefully removed.

Linguistic Anthropology: This stream deals with origin and construction of oral well as written languages. There is also a scope for comparative studies and see how cultural interactions have influenced the language of the different cultures involved and how language is an indicator to different cultural practices and customs.



There are many areas where Anthropologists can find employment. If one is planning on an academic career, then one can either find Academic jobs at various universities and institutes or do research at organisations like the Archaeological Survey of India, the Planning Commission and the Commission for Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Other Backward Classes, the WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF. One can always work with NGO's working in under-developed areas. Other than such jobs, one can also find employment in corporate houses in the Human Resource Development sector as anthropologists can balance the relation between society and industry. Anthropologists are also employed by museums, art galleries, libraries and archives. One can find employment as archaeologists, curators, linguists, social workers, tour guides, in publishing houses and in social service organisations. Anthropologists can also find employment in forensic science departments and criminal investigation departments.



One can apply to universities and other academic institutions if one wishes to continue with research or teach. Otherwise, one can apply to museums, libraries and other archives for the post of curators and archivists. Similarly, one can apply to corporate houses for jobs in the Human Resource Development sector. One can also apply to institutions like the Archaeological Survey of India, the WHO, the UNESCO and the UNICEF. One can also find NGOs working with issues that one is interested in and team up with such NGOs to do both research and field work. This entails some sort of applied anthropology and is sometimes more mentally rewarding.

One can also apply for posts in publishing houses dealing with the social sciences. Anthropology is a science, which studies the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of mankind. It encompasses the study of the origin of human species as well as its cultural and social structures. Besides, Anthropology also studies the evolution of man at different ages as well as the physical and cultural diversity among humans, living at the same period of time, at various parts of the world in diverse environments.

Anthropology is the comparative study of human similarities and differences. It includes the biological and cultural history of the human species over the last four million years, the cultural patterns of people from around the world down to even those who happen to live next door to you, and the techniques and ideas people have used both to exploit and protect natural resources and the environment.Unfortunately, Anthropology as a field of study still remains among one of the lesser known and less popular subjects. Mankind has yet to explore its full potential.



Even aspiring students with arts can also apply to pursue a course in Anthropology. Generally a Science background at the +2 level is preferred for a B.Sc. programme in Anthropology. B.Sc in Anthropology is of three years duration and thereafter one can specialize in any of the branches at M.Sc and M.Phil levels. A candidate, who plans to join international development agencies as an advisor, should preferably have a Ph.D. degree in the subject.

• There are three main areas of employment for an Anthropologist, i.e., teaching, research and working in museums. Research jobs are available in organizations like Archaeological Survey of India, the Planning Commission as well as international organizations like the United Nation's UNESCO or UNICEF also require their services.


• Moreover, openings are also mostly available for socio-cultural anthropologists with Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) who seek their expertise in understanding of relations between industry and society.


• Cultural anthropologists are people particularly well suited to work in professions involving people, such as teaching, law, medicine, social work, and journalism. Archaeology majors may become cultural resource management specialists.

• Museums are yet another potent source of employment.
• Many organizations like the ICMR, WHO and the Police Department also offer employment to anthropologists for the purpose of crime detection.



• A section of the students may also possibly opt for anthropologically oriented research to provide better service delivery or to assess social issues and social problems, such as in public health, education, urban planning, social welfare, and government planning, international development.