ANTHROPLOGY AND EDUCATION -studies human societies and cultures from prehistory
The term “Anthropology” is derived from two Greek
words, anthropos meaning human and logos meaning
study.
Anthropology is the study of human beings.
Anthropologist tries to study and understand everything
that can be related to humans and not limited by time
and space.
ANTHROPOLOGY MEANING BRANCHES
Thus, Anthropology can be defined as “The study of
human populations where we holistically explore the
biological, socio-cultural, archaeological and linguistic
aspects of human existence.” An anthropologist must
have sufficient knowledge of all these aspects to
specialize in one.
Fieldwork is a research method specific to the field of
Anthropology.
- involves living with the people in a culture
different from ours and studying and engaging in
the daily activities of their lives.
- Fieldwork methodology is quite different from
those of “arm-chair” anthropologists who study
people within their comfort zones i.e. in the
libraries.
- Fieldwork was developed by Polish
Anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski who
conducted fieldwork for 6 years amongst the
Trobrianders of Malensia which is considered
as the best fieldwork to date.
Bronislaw Malinowski is considered as the “Father of
Social Anthropology” and is also known for his theory
of functionalism.
FOUR MAJOR BRANCHES ANTHROPOLOGY
Socio-cultural anthropology, Biological or physical
anthropology, Archaeological anthropology, and
Linguistic Anthropology.
Socio-cultural anthropology
-is also known as cultural anthropology or social
anthropology. It is the study of societies and cultures
around the world. How the social structure, norms,
economic and religious organizations, kinship system,
marriage system, cultural practices, behavioral patterns,
etc varies around the world.
Biological or Physical anthropology
-involves an evolutionary perspective towards the study
of human populations and their diversity. To understand
variations, they use the techniques and principles of
genetics, biology, and epidemiology.
Through epidemiology and nutritional studies, they
study the variation in dietary patterns and health because
of different bio-cultural factors like food taboo, local
practitioners, faith healing, etc.
Anthropometry is a science used to measure the
physical attributes of humans.
Archaeological anthropology
and how they have changed with evolution, changes in
climatic conditions and advancements in tools and
techniques. They collect material remains from various
archeological sites and try to reconstruct the past. These
artifacts could be tools, remains from human cultures
like pottery, cave paintings, etc. They use different
dating techniques like carbon dating, pollen dating,
stratigraphy, etc. to arrange the findings in a
chronological order and understand the cultural
development in the past.
Linguistic anthropology
-It studies the diversity of languages among the different
cultures in the world and how they affect or are affected
by cultures and societies around the world.
• Focuses on human communication
• Studies the ways we structure our
communication
• Includes components on how the brain and
speech emerged together
• Covers the ways to be effective in
communication
Education has been derived from Latin words
“educare” – to rise up, or bring up, or nourish
“educere” – to lead out or to draw out and
“educatum”- the acts of teaching or training
Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the
acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs,
and habits.
-wikipedia
Importance of Education in Life and Society
Education contributes to:
• Ability to read and write
• Descent livelihood
• Better communication
• Use of technology
• Secure transactions
• Serve society
• Knowledge propagation
• Social harmony and more
Anthropology and Education:
Anthropologists compare differences among human
societies to get an appreciation of cultural diversity.
They also study the full breadth of human existence, past
and present. In addition, anthropologists try to appreciate
all peoples and their cultures and attempt to discourage
judgments of cultural superiority or inferiority.
Education has the important aim of inculcating human
values in learners so that people learn to tolerate
differences, develop compassion and live in peace and
harmony, based on understanding and acceptance of
mutual differences.
The findings of anthropologists have helped us
understand human beings and human progress in a
detached, holistic manner. This would go a long way in
furthering the aims of education as they relate to
development of universal brotherhood, a world that not
just knows and respects cultural differences but a world
that celebrates differences. REPORTER: SIMON JULIUS M. GOZUM

Name: ____________________________________ Date: _______ Score: ______

Direction: Identify the word/words being described in each statement.

____________________________1 He is the father of social anthropology.

____________________________2 It studies the diversity of languages among the different
cultures in the world.
____________________________3 It is a research method specific to the field of
Anthropology that involves living with the people in a
culture different from ours.
____________________________4 It the study of human beings.
____________________________5 involves an evolutionary perspective towards the study of
human populations and their diversity.
____________________________6 the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition
of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits.
____________________________7 It is the study of societies and cultures around the world.
____________________________8 studies human societies and cultures from prehistory and
how they have changed with evolution, changes in
climatic conditions and advancements in tools and
techniques.
____________________________9 Anthropologists who study people within their comfort
zones i.e. in the libraries.
___________________________10 Greek words of anthropology.

Reporter: SIMON JULIUS M. GOZUM