Introduction to Anthropology

Overview

• Anthropology is the study of humans.
• The term derives from "anthropos" (human) and "logos" (study).
• Four main subfields:
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Biological/Physical Anthropology
  • Linguistic Anthropology
  • Archaeology

Cultural Anthropology

• Study of the cultural basis of humanity.
• Similar to sociology but with a broader historical and global perspective.
• Stereotypically seen as studying exotic cultures, but also studies Western cultures and subcultures.

Biological/Physical Anthropology

• Focus on human anatomy, genetics, and relatives (monkeys, apes, human ancestors).
• Studies include:
  • Human anatomy and genetics.
  • Identification of individuals from skeletal remains.
  • Behavior and physical makeup of primates.
  • Evolutionary studies through paleoanthropology.

Linguistic Anthropology

• Studies language usage and its cultural context.
• Examines language changes, adaptations, and usage across different settings.
• Analyzes language structure and its role in human migrations.

Archaeology

• Study of past human cultures through excavation.
• Similar to cultural anthropology but focuses on extinct cultures.
• Interprets artifacts and features to deduce cultural behaviors.

Applied Anthropology

• Crosscuts all four main subfields.
• Application of anthropological methods in everyday settings (business, healthcare, design, marketing).
• Examples of applications include:
  • Design of cars and seats (physical anthropology).
  • Forensic anthropology in criminal investigations.
  • Archaeological assessments before developments (e.g., construction sites).

Conclusion

• Anthropology offers insights into human nature and cultures, both past and present.
• It has diverse applications in modern society.