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What is Anthropology?
Anthropology
n. the scientific study of the origin and
of the physical, social, and cultural development
and behavior of humans [from Greek: anthropos,
human + logos, study or word] (American
Heritage Dictionary) |
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The Department of Anthropology at Western
Michigan University employs faculty from a broad spectrum
of interests and specialities, including all four sub-fields
of anthropology. These are: Physical/Biological Anthropology,
Socio-cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistic
Anthropology.
What's WMU Bronco Anthro.
All About?
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Archaeology-
Archaeology is the study of past human societies
through material culture. Within the American School
of Anthropology, archaeology is included as one of four
subdisciplines of anthropology. However, in many other
countries it is classified within history departments
or as a stand alone field. What makes American archaeology
unique is the use of special theoretical tools that are
used uniformly throughout anthropology. Data is commonly
gathered through excavation of archaeological sites and
the collection and cataloging of artifacts. This process
allows a glimpse into the past and helps researchers paint
a more vivid picture of the human family. There are many
special subdivisions of archaeology as well. Some of the
more popular ones include: Historical, Prehistoric, Industrial,
Classical, Ethnohistorical, and Underwater Archaeology.
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Physical Anthropolgy-
What do the questions: “Where did ‘we’
come from?”, “Who is this John Doe, and how
did he die?”, “Why do some monkeys travel
in troops and others are more solitary?”, and “Why
do people from different places on earth look different?”
have in common? Physical Anthropology asks each of them
and attempts to give an answer. The field studies everything
biological about humankind, from human evolution to forensic
science, primatology, genetic variation or adaptation.
By studying fossilized remains of early hominids, or populations
of modern primates, researchers have formulated theories
of humanity's past. By studying skeletons recent or ancient,
light has been shed on many mysteries. And by studying
human genetics and variation they come to understand how
very similar we all are. |
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Sociocultural Anthropology-
Whether in the jungles of the Congo or the Amazon,
the projects in Chicago, or suburbs in middle America,
Cultural Anthropologists are studying human society. How
do humans organize themselves? In what ways does a society
express its ethnicity? How and when does a culture change?
These are questions that are key to the study of culture
and human expression. Often after extensive fieldwork,
the research will be published in a style of reporting
known as ethnography. Famous Sociocultural and
Linguistic Anthropologists like Noam
Chomsky and Margaret
Mead have not only studied human societies, but brought
about new ways of thinking about culture and basic human
rights. Cultural Anthropologists have been some of the
world’s foremost activists for progressive change. |
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