Anthropology Notes

Ministry of Science and Higher Education

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, issued an Anthropology module in September 2012.

Anthropology Module

The module was prepared by Hawassa University (HU) and Addis Ababa University (AAU). The module writers include Elias Alemu (PhD, HU), Dagne Shibiru (PhD, HU), and Getaneh Mehari (PhD, AAU).

Course Information

The course code is Anth101 with 3 credit hours allocated.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

  • FGM: Female Genital Mutilation
  • IK: Indigenous Knowledge
  • IKS: Indigenous Knowledge System
  • MoSHE: Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Module Introduction

The course Anth101 introduces essential anthropological concepts, addressing questions about human similarities and differences. It explores diversity, multiculturalism, marginalization, and inclusion, enabling learners to understand various ways of being human. Themes include culture, kinship, marriage, cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, human origins, cosmologies, race, ethnicity, ethnic relations, marginalization, minorities, local systems of governance, legal pluralism, indigenous knowledge systems, and development.

The module also covers the scope, branches, unique features, and research methods of anthropology.

Delivery methods include active learning techniques like brainstorming, Q&A, group discussion, buzz-groups, cross-over, homework, reading assignments, peer teaching, and lecturing.

Assessment methods involve quizzes, group/individual assignments, take-home exams, final exams, and term papers to improve student learning.

Module learning competencies include:

  • Understanding anthropology and its global scope.
  • Comprehending cultural and biological diversity and unity.
  • Analyzing ethnocentrism using cultural relativism.
  • Understanding socially constructed identities and social categories.
  • Exploring Ethiopian peoples and cultures.
  • Understanding the socio-cultural, political, religious, and economic life of Ethiopian ethno-linguistic groups.
  • Understanding marginalization and developing inclusiveness skills.
  • Appreciating customary governance and conflict resolution systems.
  • Knowing values, norms, and cultural practices for societal cohesion.
  • Recognizing culture areas of Ethiopian peoples and their interactions.
  • Developing skills to interact with diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Acknowledgments

Gratitude is expressed to the anthropology syllabus developing committee members at Hawassa University: Dr. Alemante Amera, Dr. Hanna Getachew, and Ato Debela Gindola. Thanks also to Ato Alazar Lissanu (from Arba Minch University) and anthropology instructors from Dessie University, Wollega University, Selale University, Gondar University, Jimma University, and Mekelle University.

Module Content Overview

The module covers the following units and topics:

  • Unit One: Introducing Anthropology and its Subject Matter
    • Definition, Scope, and Subject Matter
    • Sub-fields of Anthropology
    • Unique Features of Anthropology
    • Misconceptions About Anthropology
    • Relationship Between Anthropology and Other Disciplines
    • Contributions of Anthropology
  • Unit Two: Human Culture and Ties that Connect
    • Conceptualizing Culture
    • Characteristic Features of Culture
    • Aspects/Elements of Culture
    • Cultural Unity and Variations
    • Evaluating Cultural Differences
    • Culture Change
    • Ties That Connect: Marriage, Family, and Kinship
  • Unit Three: Human Diversity, Culture Areas, and Contact in Ethiopia
    • Human Beings & Being Human
    • Origin of Modern Human Species
    • Human Physical Variation
    • Human Races
    • Race: The Grand Illusion
    • Human Cultural Diversity/Variation
    • Culture Area and Cultural Contact in Ethiopia
  • Unit Four: Marginalized, Minorities, and Vulnerable Groups
    • Definition of Concepts
    • Gender-Based Marginalization
    • Female Genital Cutting
    • Marginalized Occupational Groups
    • Age-Based Vulnerability
    • Religious and Ethnic Minorities
    • Human Rights Approaches and Inclusiveness
  • Unit Five: Identity, Inter-Ethnic Relations, and Multiculturalism in Ethiopia
    • Identity, Ethnicity, and Race
    • Conceptualizing Ethnicity
    • Ethnic Groups and Ethnic Identity
    • Race – The Social Construction of Racial Identity
    • Theories of Ethnicity
  • Unit Six: Customary and Local Governance Systems and Peace Making
    • Indigenous and Local Governance
    • Intra and Inter-Ethnic Conflict Resolution Institutions
    • Inter-Ethnic Conflict Resolution
    • Women’s Role in Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking
    • Legal Pluralism
  • Unit Seven: Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Practices
    • Definition of Concepts
    • Significance of Indigenous Knowledge
    • Indigenous Knowledge and Development
    • Preservation, Challenges, and Limitations of IK
    • Erosion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Unit One: Introducing Anthropology and its Subject Matter

This unit introduces key concepts in anthropology, its historical development, scope, subject matter, subfields, unique features, and contributions. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions and debates.

Unit learning outcomes:

  • Define anthropological concepts.
  • Understand the historical development of anthropology.
  • Express the scope and subject matter of anthropology.
  • Explain the sub-disciplines of anthropology.
  • Internalize unique feature of anthropology.
  • Convert misconceptions held about anthropology.
  • Differentiate anthropology from other disciplines.
  • Appraise the relevance of anthropology in our life.

Definition, Scope and Subject Matter of Anthropology

Concepts in Anthropology

The term anthropology comes from the Greek words ‘anthropos’ (human being/mankind) and ‘logos’ (reason/study/science’). It is the science of humankind, studying biological and cultural characteristics as inseparable elements. Anthropology examines human origins, development, and variations across time and space.

Anthropology:

  • Investigates learned strategies for living in human social groups.
  • Examines shared characteristics of humans as a species and diverse ways of living.
  • Analyzes material and non-material creations of social groups.

It seeks to understand culture, society, and humanity through detailed community studies and comparisons. It also addresses philosophical questions about human lives and explains similarities and differences among people.

Historical Development of Anthropology

Anthropology, as a scientific discipline, originated in the West, particularly in France, Great Britain, the USA, and Germany. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Greek, Roman, and Hebrew philosophers and social thinkers.

Anthropology emerged as a distinct field of study in the mid-nineteenth century, influenced by the Enlightenment and Darwinian Theory of Evolution. Museums played a significant role in the development of anthropology as a profession.

Early anthropologists focused on small communities in technologically simple societies, documenting social and cultural differences through ethnography. By the mid-1900s, anthropologists aimed to discover universal human patterns and bio-psychological traits through ethnology.

In Ethiopia, professional anthropological studies began in the late 1950s, initially emphasizing ethnography.

Scope and Subject Matter

Anthropology's scope is immense, covering all aspects of human life, experiences, and existence, from the past to the future and from the Arctic to the Desert. It also focuses on the interrelationships between different aspects of human existence, drawing insights from local life studies. Anthropology studies humanity in its diversity and commonality.

Anthropologists strive to understand the biological and cultural origins and evolutionary development of the species, covering all humans, past and present, their behavior, thought systems, and material possessions.

Sub-fields of Anthropology

Anthropology is categorized into four major subfields:

  1. Physical/Biological Anthropology
  2. Archaeology
  3. Linguistic Anthropology
  4. Socio-Cultural Anthropology

  • Physical/Biological Anthropology: Related to natural sciences, it studies how culture and environment influence biological evolution and contemporary variations. It focuses on human evolution, genetics, paleoanthropology, primatology, and human genetics.

  • Archaeological Anthropology: Studies past peoples' lives by excavating and analyzing material culture, including artifacts, features, and eco-facts. It includes prehistoric and historical archaeology.

  • Linguistic Anthropology: Studies human language as a cultural resource and speaking as a cultural practice. It includes structural/descriptive linguistics, ethno-linguistics, historical linguistics, and socio-linguistics.

  • Socio-Cultural Anthropology: Deals with human society and culture, describing, analyzing, interpreting, and explaining social, cultural, and material life. It encompasses ethnography and ethnology. Specialized fields include anthropology of art, medical, urban, economic, political, development, religion, demographic, ecological, and psychological anthropology, and ethnomusicology.

Unique Features of Anthropology

Anthropology is unique in its scope, approach, focus, and method of study.

  • Broad Scope: Interested in all human beings, contemporary or past, “primitive” or “civilized.”
  • Holistic Approach: Considers culture, history, language, and biology essential for a complete understanding of society.
  • Relativistic Perspective: Studies beliefs and practices in their own context without value judgments.
  • Emic Perspective: Focuses on insiders' views and how people perceive and understand their world.
  • Qualitative Research: Uses extended fieldwork, participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus-group discussions.

Misconceptions about Anthropology

  • Anthropology is not limited to the study of