Anthropology

In a world that is increasingly diverse in terms of culture and society, the field of Anthropology is becoming more important and attractive. Combining the study of humanity, culture, and social factors, this program not only helps us understand the past but also opens many opportunities to address current global issues. So, what makes this program special, and who is best suited to study it? Let’s explore together!

Program Introduction

Anthropology is a comprehensive discipline that focuses on human physiology and culture, closely related to other fields such as archaeology, linguistics, political science, economics, sociology, religious studies, and psychology. 

Anthropology studies both traditional and modern societies, exploring both unfamiliar foreign cultures and familiar indigenous cultures.

This program emphasizes systematic knowledge transmission, with a focus on field research and social research methods, cultivating students with a comprehensive understanding of the humanities and social sciences and practical abilities to meet the real needs of society and the country.

Training Objectives

Anthropology education should be guided by Marxism, aiming to cultivate students with a firm political direction, understanding and supporting the party and country’s policies, possessing humanistic literacy, scientific spirit, social responsibility, and entrepreneurial awareness, while adhering to socialist core values and fostering comprehensive physical, mental, and moral development.

Universities train students to master the basic knowledge, theories, and methods of anthropology, with an international perspective and awareness of national conditions. Graduates will be able to analyze and solve social problems related to Chinese society, develop cross-cultural communication and self-adjustment skills, and be capable of serving society and managing social issues. 

They will be equipped with strong theoretical literacy, practical, and innovative abilities, allowing them to work in government agencies, education, research, culture, ethnicity, religion, media, and social organizations, or to use anthropological knowledge to independently start businesses or provide social services as versatile talents.

Qualitative Requirements

1. Love for the country and people, support for the party and national policies, with good moral character, law-abiding, loyal to duties, and willing to contribute.

2. Team cooperation awareness, adherence to professional ethics and vocational morals.

3. A good foundation in literature, history, philosophy, art, and science, with a commitment to carrying forward the excellent culture of the Chinese nation and respecting cultural diversity.

4. Good physical health, meeting the national fitness test standards.

5. Good mental health, with optimism and strong self-adjustment abilities.

6. Concern for society, understanding society, and serving society.

7. Knowledge and ability to analyze social phenomena from a comprehensive and holistic perspective.

8. Knowledge and ability to understand, communicate, and respect multiculturalism.

9. Engaging in social services with the ability to promote social policy improvement and social progress.

Knowledge Requirements

1. Mastery of solid Chinese language skills, good foreign language proficiency, and literature and information retrieval capabilities.

2. Knowledge of psychology, ethnology, law, political science, management, philosophy, history, economics, ethics, and statistics.

3. Knowledge of basic mathematics, information science, environmental science, physical science, chemistry, life sciences, and geography.

4. Familiarity with national conditions in politics, economy, culture, society, environment, ethnicity, and religion, as well as an understanding of global population, ethnicity, culture, countries, and social situations.

5. Mastery of basic theories, research methods, and development of anthropology, knowledge of subfields, and key research areas.

Ability Requirements

1. Good Chinese language expression abilities, the capacity to use foreign languages for research and communication, and proficiency in computer and information technology.

2. Proficiency in the basic theories, knowledge, and methods of anthropology.

3. Ability to apply anthropological perspectives to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to problems.

4. Competence in social investigation and research, market research and consulting, social consulting and planning, policy research and evaluation, administrative management and human resource development, social management, and social services. Ability to use anthropological knowledge in innovation, entrepreneurship, and organizing social services.

5. Strong self-learning ability, creative, reflective, and critical thinking abilities, and the ability to design projects, content, and proposals for work and research.

6. Mastery of understanding and adapting to real-world society, connecting theory with practice, good communication, organization, coordination, management, teamwork abilities, and an awareness and ability for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Core Courses

• Anthropology

• Introduction to Ethnology

• Cultural Anthropology

• Ethnology

• History of Anthropology

• Ecological Anthropology

• Ethnological Survey Methods

• Introduction to Chinese Ethnicities

• Introduction to World Ethnicities

• Ethnological Archaeology

• Ethno Economics

• Ethnics and Family

• Ethnology Theory and Policy

• Introduction to Sociology

• Introduction to Folklore Studies

• History of Chinese Culture

• History of World Culture

• General Anthropology

• Religious Culture Studies

• Regional Economics

• Marketing

• Cultural Economics

Research Directions in Anthropology

The key research directions in the Anthropology program include:

• Material Culture Anthropology: Studies the relationship between material culture and human society.

• Social and Cultural Anthropology: Focuses on the organization, culture, and beliefs of human societies.

• Biological Anthropology: Investigates the biological foundations of humans, including human origin, evolution, genetics, etc.

• Archaeology: Studies ancient human societies and cultures.

• Linguistic Anthropology: Explores the relationship between language and culture.

Degree Awarded

Graduates of the Anthropology program are generally awarded a Bachelor degree.

Career Development

Anthropology has broad development prospects in China and is a highly applicable discipline. 

After graduation, students can work in government agencies, social organizations, enterprises, public organizations, and private institutions in administrative, secretarial, and managerial roles, especially in museums, folklore research institutions, and archaeology. Some graduates may also work in media organizations as journalists or editors or enter companies to engage in market research.

Graduates can work in various positions, including:

• Company business

• Civil servants

• Training/Recruitment/Course consultants

• Social workers

• Assistants/Secretaries/Clerks

Related Majors

• Sociology

• Social Work

• Women's Studies

• Home Economics

• Gerontology

• Social Policy

Top Universities Offering Anthropology

• Peking University

• Sun Yat-sen University

• Xiamen University