Jerome Levi Discusses the Four Main Branches of Anthropology
Anthropology, the study of humankind, has long been described as “the art of making the familiar exotic and the exotic familiar.” In the words of pioneering anthropologist A. L. Kroeber, “anthropology is the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities.” Today, anthropology provides answers to many of society’s most significant questions ranging from “where do we come from” to “why do modern humans act the way we do.” Although anthropology has helped answer these important questions, and added substantially to contemporary understandings of race, sex, and gender, few Americans appreciate anthropology’s contributions or can differentiate its different branches. Jerome Levi, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus, at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, has more than forty years of experience in the study of anthropology and hopes to use this platform to share his knowledge and expertise with the general public. Below, Jerome “Jay” Levi discusses the basics of anthropology and the subject’s four main branches.
Cultural Anthropology — Personal Favorite of Jay Levi
Cultural anthropology, otherwise known as socio-cultural anthropology, studies cultural systems from around the globe and discovers how these cultures shape their physical and social worlds. Cultural anthropologists specialize in the study of different cultures and beliefs, social practices, and the cognitive and organizational features of various human groups. While many people believe that cultural anthropologists study only ancient cultures, small-scale societies, or indigenous peoples, today many anthropologists study subcultures of modern large-scale societies, such as the Amish communities that reside in Lancaster, PA, or the Hmong population living in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Biological Anthropology
Jerome Levi notes that Biological Anthropology or physical anthropology is the study of biological and behavioral aspects of modern humans, extinct hominid ancestors, and non-human primates. The two primary areas of biological anthropology include human evolution and human bio-social variation. By comparing humans to other animals and their biological variations, anthropologists can develop a greater understanding of hominin evolution and biological diversity, including patterns of health and illness among human populations.
Linguistic Anthropology
Linguistic anthropology focuses on understanding the structure and function of languages, nonverbal communication, speech physiology and production, and the relation between language and culture. Some of the most common areas of study include how languages develop over time, how languages of different cultures compare with one another, and how language, as a feature of symbolic communication, is basic to human identity.
Archeology
Archaeology is widely defined as the study of ancient and modern human history through material remains. Although archeology is considered to be a sub-branch of socio-cultural anthropology, archaeologists also rely on geological, biological, and environmental data for their research. Archaeologists use ancient records, human remains, and other physical traces of cultural production to learn more about past and present cultures and different historical periods.
