What are some good arguments for having a Department of Anthropology?

Question

My university doesn't currently have an Anthro department, and basically I find this to be a bit unfortunate to say the least. As the chairperson of an existing department, I'm starting the push amongst my colleagues to support the creation of an anthro department at my Uni. It won't be big, so you ABD types can relax...

Anyway, I've started keeping a list of reasons why it makes sense to have an anthro department at a medium sized private university. I'd love more reasons to add, so please... post away!!!

Answer 1

I minored in Anthropology in College and I loved it!!! I wished they would have offered it as a major, but much to my dismay, I had to settle on sociology as my major.  Anyway, I loved learning anthropology for many reasons.  I loved cultural anthropology because I was able to learn about many cultures and how they live...instead of just learning how our culture lives, I learned about cultural relativity and now I am much more open minded and tolerant of other cultures.  Many who do not learn of other cultures come across as ignorant and uneducated when it comes to discussing current events in other countries.  I loved linguistics because I learned how many languages evolved from historic langueages.  I loved physical anthropology because I learned about primate life and how similar they are to us in social actions.  I loved archaeology because I was able to go on a dig and learn about a culture that lived in my neighborhood 700 years ago.  There are many more reasons but these are only a few.  Hope it helps.

Answer 2

why don't you list your reasons and we can give you more.

One BIG reason is that anthropology is the Holistic study of humans. So anthropology is the matrix in which other sciences of mankind merge. There is the exact side of the science ( physical anthropology, linguistics and archeology to a certain degree); and the theory side which is quite inexact (cultural anthropology, ethnology, social anthropology, ethnohistory). All important and different branches of anthropology. so as you can see there is a lot of thread to sew.

Answer 3

Difficult to answer...  you'd be best off asking professors or students of Anthro!

But I think Anthropology is a very important area of study. It teaches students to be unbiased since you have to observe and analyze cultures and populations removed from yourself, and your culture and upbringing. You have to analyze and look at EVERYTHING from a scientist's point of view, not your own.

Even something so 'simple' as a paternal society... you cannot assume that this is 'the way things are.' You have to research tons of different cultures and societies, and do unbiased observation and research to make your conclusions. And guess what.. maternal societies exist. Anthropology examines things that people take as 'normal' and analyze it with an unbiased opinion.

Not only that... Anthro taught me about biology, the theory of evolution (not as simple of an idea as I had learned in high school and even college biology), how cancer develops, how your local economy and government affects your status and outlook on life...

I think Anthropology is an invaluable area of study! I wish I had tried it earlier on... I would've double majored in it.