Anthropology
Anthropology[1] is the holistic study of humankind. It studies all human life in all geographic regions of all time periods, from its evolution as Homo sapiens to its diverse manifestations within cultures and societies both past and present. Since recorded history, people have sought answers to such probing questions as Who are we? How have we come to be as we are? How can diverse peoples peaceably co-exist? and What might the past and present tell us about our future? Anthropology seeks to answer these and many other fundamentally humanistic questions.
Anthropology employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods within its numerous sub-disciplines. Common to all anthropologists is the method of fieldwork. A physical anthropologist may dig sites in Central Africa to discover clues about humankind's origins and early migration patterns, while a socio-cultural anthropologist may live among Haitian peasants to learn the meanings of their unique rituals and political economy. A linguistic anthropologist may study modern Chamorro language usage for clues about the people group's ancient origins, while an applied anthropologist may study inner-city Chicago schoolchildren to advise administrators on how to create conflict-reducing after-school programs. Within each of these and the myriad of other areas in which anthropologists may daily research, they seek answers to benefit humankind. Anthropology has been described as "the reformer's science", and "the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities".
The development of anthropology
Although humans have probably always studied other humans, anthropology as a
The many facets of anthropology
Sub-disciplines
- Archeology
- Physical anthropology
- Socio-cultural anthropology
- Linguistics anthropology
- Applied anthropology