Introduction of Anthropology it's branches.ppt

What is Anthropology. Subfields and it's explanation.

1. Anthropology
•Anthropology
•Basic Concepts
•Society, Culture and Subculture
•Lecture :1

By
Saima Omar

2. Anthropology
•It is the study of humans, their origins and biological
characteristics and cultural development, social
relationships and more based in scientific methods.
•Greek words anthropos- man, human and logos-
study.
•Definition: The holistic study of humankind, past and
present.
•Explores human biology, culture, language, and society.
•Interdisciplinary: combines social sciences, natural
sciences, and humanities.

3. Branches of Anthropology
1.Cultural Anthropology – study of cultural practices,
beliefs, and traditions.
2.Biological (Physical) Anthropology – study of human
evolution, genetics, and primates.
3.Archaeology – study of past human societies through
material remains.
4.Linguistic Anthropology – study of language and
communication in cultural context.

4. Cultural anthropology
•Focus: Study of cultural variation among humans.
•Key Themes: Beliefs, customs, traditions, values, rituals,
kinship, and social structures.
•Methods: Participant observation, ethnography,
fieldwork.
•Example Questions:
•How do rituals reflect cultural identity?
•How do societies adapt to globalization?

5. Biological Anthropology
•Focus: Human evolution, biological diversity, and adaptation.
•Key Areas:
•Palaeoanthropology (fossils & evolution).
•Primatology (study of primates).
•Human genetics and variation.
•Example Questions:
•How did humans evolve over time?
•What biological adaptations help humans survive in different

6. Archaeology
•Focus: Study of past human life and culture through material
remains.
•Methods: Excavation, dating techniques, artifact analysis.
•Subfields:
•Prehistoric Archaeology (before written records).
•Historical Archaeology (civilizations with records).
•Example Questions:
•What can ancient tools tell us about early human life?
•How did ancient civilizations organize their societies?

7. Linguistic Anthropology
•Focus: Study of language in its cultural and social context.
•Key Areas:
•Language structure and diversity.
•How language shapes thought and identity.
•Language preservation and change.
•Example Questions:
•How do languages influence cultural identity?
•Why are indigenous languages disappearing?

8. Importance of Anthropology
Anthropology in the 21st Century
•Globalization & cultural exchange
•Applied anthropology (healthcare, business, technology)
•Human rights & social justice
•Climate change & sustainability studies
Conclusion
•Anthropology = the study of humanity in its full diversity.
•Connects the past, present, and future of human societies.
•Encourages respect, inclusivity, and critical thinking.

9. Cultures and Subcultures
•What is Culture?
•Definition: Culture is the learned, shared, and transmitted
system of knowledge, beliefs, values, practices, and symbols
that guide how people live and make sense of the world.
•It is not innate but acquired through socialization
(enculturation).
•Culture shapes how people think, behave, communicate, and
organize their lives.

10. Core Characteristics of Culture
•Shared – common to a group, not an individual trait.
•Learned – passed through education, family, traditions, and
experience.
•Symbolic – relies on language, art, and rituals.
•Adaptive – helps humans respond to changing environments.
•Integrated – economic, social, political, and religious systems
are interconnected.

11. Subculture
•Definition: A subculture is a cultural group within a larger
culture that has its own distinct values, norms, beliefs, or
lifestyle, while still sharing some aspects with the dominant
culture.
•Subcultures often emerge due to differences in ethnicity,
religion, region, class, age, or shared interests.
•Examples of Subcultures:
•Ethnic Subcultures: Pakistani diaspora in the UK; Hispanic
communities in the US.
•Religious Subcultures: Sufi traditions within Islam; Amish
communities in the US.
•Youth Subcultures: Hip-hop, punk, goth, K-pop fandoms.
•Professional Subcultures: Medical doctors, military, academic
communities.

12. Why Subcultures Matter in
Anthropology
•Diversity within unity: They show that cultures are not
homogeneous but contain internal variations.
•Social expression: Subcultures often form as expressions of
resistance, creativity, or belonging.
•Identity formation: They provide individuals with a sense of
identity within the larger society.
•Innovation and change: Many cultural innovations (music, art,
language styles) start in subcultures before spreading to
mainstream society.

13. Real-World Relevance
•In business, understanding subcultures helps in marketing
(e.g., youth branding, ethnic consumer markets).
•In sociology and anthropology, subcultures reveal power
dynamics and struggles for recognition.
•In politics, subcultures can drive social movements (e.g., civil
rights, feminist, or climate activism groups).

14. Indeed, Allah is with those who
are righteous and those who do
good.  (Al Quran 16:129)
Thank You