When asked, what would we say the first sign of civilization is? The wheel, or maybe sharpened tools that are to be handled by opposable thumbs? Anthropologist Margaret Mead said it was a femur (thighbone) that had broken down and then healed. In the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for it to heal. A healed femur is evidence that someone carried the person to safety and tended to the wound. Helping someone else through difficult times is where civilization starts – as Mead put it. This kind of microanalysis of human behaviour is where anthropology thrives. Simply put, anthropology is the study of humanity. However, such prevailing definitions, and popular anecdotes involving human remains have diluted the perception of the degree for the layman.
What is studied
Anthropology, as a major, extends well beyond archaeology. In fact, archaeology is one of its four subfields, the other three being Cultural, Linguistic and Biological Anthropology. Each of these subfields allows for specialisations within their branches. In Bangladesh, the cultural aspect is put in focus since “there is a lack of expertise in linguistics and a lack of equipment for biological anthropology”, as put by a 3rd year student from DU Anthropology.
When asked why he chose this major despite ranking in the top 20 in the admission test, he mentioned some interesting courses like South Asian history, postcolonial studies, gender and history, ethnicity and nationalism, globalisation and neoliberalism. The range mentioned here was also echoed by a 2nd year student from BRAC University, who also mentioned geopolitics, human biology evolution, philosophy from different thoughts of schools, how the corporate world operates, and the overarching theme is to deconstruct these simultaneously.
Sociology with fewer steps?
As the names suggest, one deals with humanity and the other with society. Hence, both are often perceived as essentially the same, with anthropology being the inferior one because of the reductionist view that it is limited to archaeology. Sociology applies a statistical approach to quantitative research. Anthropology does not. This created the perception that students not so bright in mathematics could consider it.
However, the nature of anthropology requires a specialisation in qualitative analysis. The dataset based on fieldwork or ethnography is very rich qualitatively. The mixed method is also used at times, yes. But that does not have a central focus. A 2nd year student from Jagannath University said in this regard, “Anthropologists do perform fieldwork to gain a better understanding of individual communities and their culture, but sociology typically investigates wider social structures.”
Myths and misconceptions debunked
“You won’t have a job.” “There’s no honour in this field.”
> Prestigious NGOs and INGOs house anthropologists as researchers.
“It studies human bones or fossils.” “It’s the study of…insects?”
> Bones, or to put it accurately – archaeology, is one of the four major subfields and is often not the focus of research in this country.
“It teaches Darwinian evolution.” “Anthropologists are atheists.”
> Anthropology teaches evidence-based subjects and demands that the students deconstruct them.
“It’s too vast, and so, too vague.”
> Anthropology majors specialise in qualitative research in varying subfields, from public health to environmental conservation. This notion of vagueness may be attributed to the socioeconomic expectation of studying science to get the best jobs.
Career Opportunities
The career roadmap of anthropology is much like that of other Social Science majors, that is BSS→MSS→PhD→Research or Academia. There are opportunities to join work right after graduation for those unwilling to spend prolonged years in studying, provided that they have research papers published. Nevertheless, finishing MSS is common practice.
The most common job placement for Anthropology majors is in NGOs, with graduates eyeing for a job placement in institutes like UNICEF, UNDP, IDB, BRAC or icddr,b.
When asked if BRAC University offers job placement perks to its anthropology majors, a student mentioned that the organisations that BRAC works with, like the Center for Peace and Justice (CPJ) or the James P Grant School of Public Health, put out circulars where a lot of alumni tend to apply and work as research interns. She also mentioned the slightly unconventional career path of market research analysts in big tech companies. This corporate placement, stating Google as an example, was also mentioned by a DU anthropology alumnus currently working as a research officer in icddr,b.
He further mentioned opportunities in the public health, policymaking, and development sectors, saying there is rarely any field left where anthropologists don’t work.
As for specialisation, he mentioned the job-specific need to learn quantitative methods. For example, anthropologists in medical science may need to understand clinical methodology. Anthropologists working in the AI sector may prefer additional training in computer science.
Universities that offer this degree
Anthropology as a major was first introduced in Bangladesh in 1985 by Jahangirnagar University. Its extensive alumni network and research experience of the faculties are the reasons it is often perceived as the best Anthropology Department in our country, as reflected by our interviewees across universities. It is followed by that of the University of Dhaka, in which a student can apply by sitting for the B unit admission exam. Rajshahi University and Jagannath University also boast dedicated anthropology departments.
Among the private universities, BRAC University and IUB are popular choices. One BRAC University student who switched her major from English to Anthropology listed curriculum design and homely ambience as some of the reasons.
For higher studies abroad, the University of Oxford, UK ranks the highest. The London School of Economics (LSE) is another preferred choice. As for the USA, Columbia University, Yale University, University of Chicago and Stanford University are popular choices.
All in all, anthropology is a subject that demands cultural understanding and critical thinking. It provides food for thought for the curious mind. It offers versatility and transition options for free spirits. Anyone planning to pursue social sciences, particularly with the hopes of interacting at the grassroots level for the fieldwork required in qualitative analysis, can take it into consideration.