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WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?
The study of anthropology falls into four main fields:1.
Sociocultural anthropology2.
Linguistics3.
Archaeology4.
Physical anthropologyAlthough these disciplines are separate, they share common goals. All forms of anthopologyfocus on the following:
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Diversity of human cultures observed in past and present.
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Many scientific disciplines involved in study of human cultures.
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Examples include:Psychology,biology,history,geographyamong others.
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Anthropology holds a very central position in the world of science.
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There is a long academic tradition in modern anthropology which is divided into four fields, asdefined by Franz Boas (1858-1942), who is generally considered the father of the field.
Sociocultural anthropology/ethnology
This field can trace its roots to global colonial times, when the European and Americandominance of overseas territories offered scholars access to different cultures. Over the years,this field has expanded intourban studies,gender studies,ethnic studiesandmedical
anthropology.
Linguistics
This study of human speech and languages includes their structure, origins and diversity. Itfocuses on comparison between contemporary languages, identification of language families andpast relationships between human groups. It looks at:
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Relationship between language and culture
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Use of language in perception of various cultural and natural phenomena
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Process of language acquisition, a phenomenon that is uniquely human, as well as the cognitive,cultural, and biological aspects involved in the process.
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Through linguistics we can trace the migratiion trails of large groups of people (be it initiated bychoice, by natural disasters, by social and polical pressures). In reverse, we can trace movement
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