Four Fields of Anthropology

Overview

This lecture introduces the four fields of anthropology, defining each and explaining their unique focus areas within the study of humans.

The four fields are Cultural Anthropology, Biological (Physical) Anthropology, Linguistics, and Archaeology.

Studies living people and their cultures.
Cultural anthropologists often write ethnographies—detailed descriptions of a culture's religion, dress, food, social systems, etc.
Research can focus on any living social group, not just exotic or remote ones.

Studies humans as animals, emphasizing genetics, evolution, primates, and the human fossil record.
Uses the scientific method extensively and fulfills science credit requirements.
Includes forensic anthropology, which applies biology to legal cases.

Studies language evolution, relationships among languages, and how language is constructed and used.
Examines elements like phonemes (basic sound units) and language meaning-making.
Language's role in human evolution and society is a central concern.

Studies past cultures using material remains (artifacts, structures, etc.).
Shares interests with cultural anthropology but focuses on societies that no longer exist.
Investigates questions about ancient diet, living arrangements, religion, and social structure.

Anthropology — the scientific study of humans, past and present.
Cultural Anthropology — study of living people and their cultures.
Ethnography — a detailed written account of a particular culture.
Biological (Physical) Anthropology — study of humans as biological organisms, including evolution and genetics.
Forensic Anthropology — application of biological anthropology in legal contexts.
Linguistics — study of language and its social and historical development.
Phoneme — the smallest unit of sound in a language.
Archaeology — study of past human societies via material remains.