Anthropology

Anthropology is the 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 asked such fundamental 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 other humanistic questions.

Anthropology employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods within 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, while a socio-cultural anthropologist may live among Haitian peasants to learn the meanings they attach to their unique rituals and political economy. A linguistic anthropologists may study modern Chamorro language usage for clues about the people group's ancient origins, while an applied anthropologist may study urban Chicago schoolchildren to advise administrators on how to create successful after-school programs. Within each of these, and the full range of research that anthropologists undertake, they seek to discover answers that 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 many facets of anthropology

Sub-disciplines

Archeology and physical anthropology

Socio-cultural anthropology

Linguistics anthropology

Applied anthropology