Anthropology
is a science which encompasses the study and evolution of man in totality,
against the backdrop of society. It traces not only the evolution of man
from primitive to contemporary times, but also the physical and cultural
diversity of human living in different environments. It is believed in
India because of the inerest of the colonical rulers. While establishing
their rule in the country they made attempts to study the living habits
of the people which were compiled in the form of books. However, it was
formally intorduced as a subject in 1920 by Calcutta University which
started a Master's programme in the same year. Unfortunately, even though
so many years have passed, Anthropology remains one of the lesser known
and less popular subjects, its potential yet to be explored to the fullest.
Course
Requirements:
A Sciencee background at the +2 level is preferred for a B.Sc. programme
in Anthropology. One must have a M.Sc. degree in order to get an entry
level job in the field. If you want to work with international development
agencies as an advisor you got to have a Ph.D. degree in the subject.
Almost all established universities
in India offer B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Anthropology. These include
the Universities of Delhi, Allahabad, Garhwal, Kolkata, Vishwabharti,
Vidyasagar, Utkal, Sambalpur, Manipur, Dibrugarh, etc.
Nearly all universities abroad
offer courses in Anthropology. Cambridges has a faculty of Archaeology
and Anthropology, commonly known as "Archanth", which offers
undergraduate programmes in the three main branches of Anthropology. Oxford
offers programmes (M.Anthropology, such as Medical Anthropology, Visual
Anthropology, Material Anthropology, etc.
Branches
of Anthropology:
since Anthropology studies the various dimensions of man's existence and
it is a broad subject, it encompasses specialised branches. These branches
are Sociocultural Anthropology, Prehistoric Anthropology(Archaeology),
Physicalor Biological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology and Applied
Anthropology.
Socio-cultural Anthropology: This branch deals with
various aspects of socio-cultural behaviour of people like how people
form groups and communities, how cultures develop, etc. It studies socio-economic
changes, cultural differences among different communities and regions
and the reasons for such differences, as also cross-cultural communication,
evolution of languages, evolution of technology and patterns of change
in different cultures.
Prehistoric-Anthropology
(Archaeology): The branch tries to reconstruct history
on the basis of relics, bones or other artifacts, coins, stone carvings,
statues or remains of urban structures that are dug up. Such findings
help to understand the chronological sequence of events. On the basis
of these, archaeologists try to investigate and analyse early human
activity. Archaeologists also explore recorded documents that might
be found in historical sites, museums, palaces and elsewhere.
Physical or Biological
Anthropology: This branch is concerned with the physical
and biological characteristics of the primate order, for example, humans
and their past links with other primates (like chimpanzes, gorillas,
monkeys, etc). It also studies the physical differences between races,
human genetics, modes of physiological adaptation and reactins to different
physical environments. This branch in turn includes various subdisciplines
such as primate biology, osteology (study of bones and skeletons), paleoanthropology
(old deed primates of ancient times), forensic anthropology (to understand
the course of death due to homicide, suicide, accident or otherwise),
etc.
Applied Anithropology:
The basic information and reports obtained from work in the other specialisations
are put to use in Applied Anthropology in government services such as
birth control, medicine, treating malnutrition, helping growth, juvenile
delinquency, labour unrest in industries, agricultural practices, tribal
welfare and regabilitation, etc.
Linguistic Anthropology:This
branch deals with origin and construction of unwritten as well as written
languages. Some anthropologists may choose to take a cross disciplinary
approach to the field and study two or more branches such as linguistics,
chemistry, nutrition or behavioural science and then apply the their
respective ongoing study of say Cultural Anthropology.
Nature of Work:
Basically, Anthropologists are academics who are usually employed by
universities to research in their areas of specialisation. Most of the
work involves writing, editing, fieldwork, teaching, consulting other
professionals and presenting papers. To become an expert on a particular
region or culture, you have to spend years of hardwork in study in often
remote locations.
Prospects:
Anthropology as a subject has already gained momentum in the West, with
various related institutes and organisations being set up. Anthropologists
are on the staff of leading medical, business, law, public affairs and
other professional schools and have played a critical role in international
ventures, public health programmes, community development activities
and minority and migrant social actions.
In India, research jobs are
available in organisations like the Archaeological Survey of India, the
planning Commission and international bodies
such as WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF. Openings are also available with museums
and NGO's working in underdeveloped areas.
Graduates with a background in the
subject may find works as anthropologists, archaeologists, archivists,
curators, writers, researchers, linguists, social workers, tour guides,
cultural resource managers, urban plannets, etc. Art galleries, historical
societies, government agencies, documentary film companies, college and
universities, insurance companies, libraries, conservation organisations,
public and private schools. Publishing companies and social service organisations
also employ anthropologists.
Remuneration:
Since the job prospectus are diverse, the salary can vary tremendously.
There is a cut-throat competition among researchers for grant money, which
depends on their reputation and the value of their research. Money does
not come fast. One must be patient and geared towards research. Rigorous
fieldwork and persistence as well as good communication skills are essential.
Knowledge of Anthropology gives you
opportunity to work with people of many groups and cultures and interact
with them from very close quarters. This will definitely broaden your
horizon and make you a true citizens of this country and the world at
large.
List
of Institutions offering B.A/B.Sc./M.A./M.Sc in Anthropology in India
Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam - 530 003
Bangalore University, Bangalore - 560 056
Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur, Distt,
Ganjam, Orissa - 760 007
Dibrugharh University, Dibrugarh, Assam
Dr.Hari Singh Gour Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar,
MP
Guwahati University, PO, Gopinath Bordili Nagar, Guwahati,
Assam
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar,
Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh
Karnataka University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad, Karnataka
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana
Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal, Manipur
Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar - 522 510
North Eastern Hill University, Shillong - 793 002
North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon - 425 002
Pt.Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur-492 010
Pune University, Pune - 411 007
Punjab University, Paliala - 147 002
Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, Punjab
Ranchi University, Ranchi, Ranchi - 834 001
Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Orissa
Siddhu Kanhu University, Dumka - 814 101
Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, Chittor District,
AP
University of Allahabad, Allahabad - 211 002
University of Calcutta, Senate House, 87, College Street,
Calcutta, West Bengal
University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad - 500 046
University of Mumbai, Mumbai - 400 001
University of Mysore, Mysore - 570 005
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004
Utkal University, PO Vani Vihar, Bhubaneshwar Orissa-4
Vidya Sagar University, PO Midnapore, West Bengal
Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh - 825 301
Visva-Bharati, PO Santiniketan-731 235
International Focus in Anthropology
The American Anthropological Association,
4350 N. Fairfax DR., Suite 640 Arlington, VA 22203
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