Anthropology

Degree Type: 

Bachelor of Arts

Department: 

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Programme Duration: 

4 years (Standard Entry)

Modes of Study: 

Regular

About Programme: 

The Department of Sociology proposes a new programme in Anthropology to augment the Sociology programme currently in existence.  This is in response to a growing need for students to become more conversant with the cultural heritage of themselves and others, and also to support the Faculty of Social Sciences in their efforts to train students in critical thinking, global awareness and good citizenship. The new Anthropology  programme is designed to broaden and strengthen the already existing Department of Sociology, with the in-depth study of various cultures, across space and through time, which the discipline of Anthropology provides.

As the anthropological study of human origins and cultures has its roots in Africa, it seems only appropriate that Ghana should be in the forefront of such study.  Currently there is increased interest in, and awareness of, the world’s interconnectivity.  The ethnographic and qualitative methods historically a part of Anthropology provides good training in the understanding of the globalization process in all of its manifestations.

Anthropology has been taught in the Department over the years, but has never received the same attention as Sociology nor has it been fully developed.  Redefining the direction of the Department in this way will expand the range of courses offered and extend its research and outreach possibilities, more fully developing the potential of Sociology and Anthropology and enhancing the offerings of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology shall continue to offer the current undergraduate and graduate programme in Sociology, and offer an undergraduate programme in Anthropology. A graduate programme in Anthropology will be developed when the undergraduate programme has sufficiently matured, possibly after four years.

Entry Requirements: 

Candidates must obtain passes in Core English, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science.  In addition, candidates must have passes in two (2) of the following subjects:  Economics, Geography, Mathematics/Statistics, Business Management, Government/History

Goal / Aim / Objectives: 

Aim:

 The general aim of the programme is to produce graduate with the knowledge and skills in Anthropology

Objectives

The specific objectives of the programme are to:

  1. Equip students with the requisite ethnographic skills in Anthropology 
  2. Develop the knowledge of students in the different perspectives/theories for the scientific explanation of cultural diversity 
  3. Build the capacity of students to be creative, analytical and critical life-long thinkers and learners

 

Career Opportunities: 

Anthropologists study human behaviour and attitude. The discipline traces the evolution of humans, taking into account the history of how humans have evolved, how they look like now and how they are likely to look like in the future. Apart from evolution, cultural diversity, human relations, human biology, as well as human habitation are integral aspects of anthropology. It encompasses areas of social science, biological sciences, as well as natural sciences. The programme explores the meaning of symbols and practices that are found in nature, and relating them to the challenges that humans face on daily basis.

The programme trains students in methods and techniques needed to undertake research into human studies equipping them with analytical and critical reasoning skills. Both oral and written communication skills are integral aspects of studies. The programme also teaches students how to imagine and creatively reconstruct historical events to better understand past events relating to humankind. All kinds of seemingly unfamiliar areas are explored in anthropology. New trends of fashion, new emerging technology that is making life simpler for human kind, innovations that are shaping human health and nutrition, as well as new entertainment and lifestyle activities are all studied in the programme. This makes anthropology one of the broadest and exciting programmes of study. 

Programme Structure

Level 100

First Semester

ANT 101: Introduction to Anthropology
3 Credit(s)

Objective

This course helps students to understand the importance of anthropology to everyday life.

Content

This course explores the basic concepts, methods, and theoretical perspectives of anthropology. It focuses on the biological, cultural, linguistic, and archaeological study of humans to provide a holistic understanding of how humans have evolved, why people are as they are and how societies have changed over time.

Mode of Delivery

The course is delivered through lectures, individual and group presentations.

Reading Materials

  • Ferraro, G., & Andreatta, S. (2011). Cultural anthropology: An applied perspective. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.
  • Haviland, W. A., Prins, H. E. L., & McBride, B. (2010). The essence of anthropology. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.
  • Kottak, C. P. (2011). Anthropology: Appreciating human diversity. (14th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Kottak, C. P. (2018). Mirror for humanity: A concise introduction to cultural anthropology (11th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Scupin, R. & DeCorse, C. R. (2016). Anthropology: A global perspective (8th edition). Boston: Pearson.
CMS 107: Communicative Skills I
3 Credit(s)

Engaging in academic work at the university is challenging. This course is aimed at equipping fresh students to make the transition from pre-university level to the university level. It assists them in engaging and succeeding in complex academic tasks in speaking, listening, reading and writing. It also provides an introduction to university studies by equipping students with skills that will help them to engage in academic discourse with confidence and fluency.

Second Semester

ANT 102: Human Origins and Diversity
3 Credit(s)

Objective

This course aims at helping students to understand and explain human origins and diversity.

Content

The course explores humans as biological as well as socio-cultural beings. Topics such as human evolution, foraging, domestication of plants and animals, formation of cities and states and racial issues are discussed.

Mode of Delivery

The course is delivered through lectures, audio visuals and field trips.

Reading Materials

  • Haviland, W. A., Prins, H. E. L., & McBride, B. (2010). The essence of anthropology. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.
  • Jurmain, R., Kilgore, L., & Trevathan, W. (2011). Essentials of physical anthropology. Belmont: Wadsworth.
  • Klein, R. G. (2009). The human career: Human biological and cultural origins. (3rd edition). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Kottak, P. C. (2004). Anthropology: The exploration of human diversity. Boston: McGraw Hill.
  • Lewis, B., Jurmain, R., & Kilgore, L. (2007). Understanding physical anthropology and archaeology. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.

 
CMS 108: Communicative Skills II
3 Credit(s)

This is a follow-up course on the first semester one. It takes students through writing correct sentences, devoid of ambiguity, through the paragraph and its appropriate development to the fully-developed essay. The course also emphasizes the importance and the processes of editing written work.