Reporters #3

• WHY STUDY ANTHROPOLOGY?

“Anthropology is the science which tells us

that people are the same the whole world over
– except when they are different.”
-Nancy Banks-Smith
 The study of anthropology is holistic- the study of humans
as biological, cultural, and social beings. Anthropologists study
alternative ways in which human beings meet their needs and
examine overall integration and dissonance within a culture.
Anthropologists study the person both as an individual and as a
member of society.
Anthropologists study for example religion and belief
systems, the arts, music, gender roles, politics and work. Because
of the breadth of topical interests, anthropology, it is sad, is both
a social science and a humanity. Anthropology teaches respect for
other ways of life, while using a variety of cross-cultural human
behavior as a mirror from which we can reflect on the things we
do in our own culture.
• Sociology will give you a better understanding of mankind.
Sociology’s prime benefit is gaining a greater understanding
of the complex and confusing yet charmingly simple nature of humans,
and the societies in which we organize ourselves. We can make
comparisons, attempts to solve issues and gain a rational
understanding of some of society’s more frustrating habits.
• Sociology students report high levels of student satisfaction.
A course which requires students to put the effort in, and
subsequently get a high return through teaching, assessment and
knowledge.
• Understand and cope with changes in society.
Will help you not only understand what is going on in a
society, but assist you in adapting or coping with societal changes.

• Sociology as a social science discipline

 When you study Political Science, you’ll learn about
how political power is distributed, how different
governments operate and interact, how rules are made
and enforced. You will explore both the "who" of politics
(such as politicians, international organizations, and the
public) and the "how" (such as elections, political
institutions, and public administration). Politics affects
virtually every aspect of our lives, including the
availability of education, jobs, housing and healthcare.
Whether countries are at war or at peace depends both
on what governments do and who supports them.
DISCIPLINARY ACTS IN THE
FIELD OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
 • To explore human society in depth and detail.

By doing so they map a vast diversity of group social

behaviors over time, including eras of great dynamism or change, as
well as more stable periods.

And by understanding the past in depth, including the social, political

and anthropological processes at work as well as many others, and
identifying the triggers or antecedents for social change or stability,
as well as the responsesto change within social groups, we
gain insight.
And people, singly and in groups, are
more mobile today than in the past.
We don’t just live and die inside our
own tribal territory, possibly only
venturing outside to swap marriage
partners (and genes) and keep the
peace with a neighbouring group.
Coupled with the largest total
human population ever seen, when
human cultures and associated
behaviors are so clearly on
the move the possible number of inter-
group social interactions rises as well.
As do the risks of such things as
misunderstandings.
In that sense we could “get by” or “muddle through” without
the social sciences, just as we could simply stop all forms of
structured or formalized study. We could dispense
with theology, geology or even physics and still survive. It
wouldn’t be the same, and it may not be as organized,
scrutinized and verified, or even as fruitful as today, but
we’d press on.
Our evolution as a social animal has equipped us with our own personal conceptions
of “sociology”, “anthropology” and “politics”. As well as “economics”, “history”
and “human geography”. These things, and many more, make up our personal
worldview or schemata. Basically, we observe and collect experiences as we
progress through our lives. We assess, interpret, categorize and rank them in ways
that “work” for us. They are like a library of templates from which we can retrieve
the closest match to any given situation we may face in life and simply “wing it” from
there. It saves us having to rethink every situation. And so we engage socially and
play politics, quite naturally. We understand, to varying degrees, how other people
think. We anticipate and we negotiate. We form alliances. We variously explain,
suggest and repeat as needed. We take a stand, or not.
It’s basically anthropology and political science in action, but without 3 or more
years of university study.