Welcome to Anthropology
Anthropology is an academic discipline devoted to the study of humanity (the Greek anthropos means 'human being'). It is a very wide-ranging discipline, made up of a variety of sub-divisions. The kind of anthropology taught at the University of Canterbury is known as social and cultural anthropology. This branch of anthropology has close ties to a number of other academic disciplines, especially sociology, philosophy, religious studies, Māori studies, linguistics, gender studies, Pacific studies, asian languages, fine arts, theatre studies, geography and history (see Related subjects).
Anthropology has often been described as 'going to a far place in order to understand a familiar place better'. Students enrolled in Anthropology courses can expect to be introduced to the study of culture and society, through a study of the wide variety of ways in which people around the world live, but also through an appreciation of what humans have in common and of the fundamentals on which social life is based. It is characteristic of anthropology to attempt to compare across societies and to try and make generalisations about the nature of human social life and culture. In this sense it promotes cross-cultural awareness and self-understanding.
Traditionally anthropology concentrated on the study of non-western societies, but this is no longer the case and Anthropology students can also expect to learn about a variety of things relevant to western societies. These include areas such as ethnic relations, migration, social change, environmental policies, the preservation of cultural resources and so on.
Anthropology's concern with culture, and with placing issues in their full social and cultural contexts in order to understand them, provides knowledge and skills which will have use in a wide variety of occupational situations. Anthropology addresses and offers insights into many of the social issues and problems facing New Zealand and the world today. Anthropologists have an important role to play in areas of public policy.