Specializations in Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
The study of cultural variation among humans, including social practices, beliefs, and ideologies.
Social Anthropology
Focuses on understanding the social structures, relationships, and institutions within different cultures.
Physical Anthropology
The study of humans from a biological perspective, exploring evolution, genetics, and human variation.
Linguistic Anthropology
Explores the relationship between language and culture, examining how language shapes social life.
Archaeological Anthropology
The study of past human societies through their material remains, artifacts, and environmental data.
Medical Anthropology
Focuses on how health, illness, and healthcare are influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors.
Economic Anthropology
Examines how economic activities and systems are influenced by cultural beliefs, values, and practices.
Political Anthropology
Studies power dynamics, political systems, and governance in different cultures and societies.
Visual Anthropology
Investigates the role of visual representation in culture, including photography, film, and other media.
Environmental Anthropology
Explores the relationships between human cultures and their environments, including issues of sustainability.
Urban Anthropology
Focuses on social and cultural dynamics in urban settings, examining how city life shapes human experiences.
Applied Anthropology
Utilizes anthropological methods and perspectives to address contemporary social issues and problems.
Forensic Anthropology
Applies anthropological techniques to legal contexts, particularly in identifying human remains.
Paleoanthropology
The study of the origins and predecessors of the present human species through fossil records.
Cognitive Anthropology
Investigates the ways in which culture influences thought processes and perception.
Gender Anthropology
Examines the roles and experiences of gender within different social and cultural contexts.
Indigenous Anthropology
Focuses on the cultures, histories, and issues of Indigenous peoples around the world.
Anthropology of Religion
Studies the cultural aspects of religious beliefs and practices and their impacts on societies.
Childhood Studies
Explores the cultures and experiences of childhood, including how children navigate their social worlds.
Ritual Studies
Investigates the role of rituals in various cultures, their meanings, functions, and social implications.
Migration Anthropology
Examines the causes and consequences of human migration, including cultural adaptations and identity.
Anthropology of Law
Studies how different cultures understand law, justice, and legal practices.
Food Anthropology
Explores the cultural significance of food, dietary customs, and practices related to eating.
Material Culture
Examines the significance and meanings of material objects in cultural contexts.
Anthropology of Science and Technology
Investigates the social and cultural dimensions of scientific practices and technological developments.
Performance Anthropology
Focuses on the role of performance and expressive culture in transmitting beliefs and cultural values.