Anthropology is a discipline that studies humanity in all its diversity-cultural, linguistic and biological-through the broadest possible historical and geographic scope. By incorporating aspects of the natural and social sciences, humanities and the arts, anthropology provides a broad perspective for understanding human nature and a context in which to comprehend the historical, environmental, and cultural forces that shape today's world. It emphasizes a holistic understanding of human meaning and meaning making, embracing the study of beliefs and practices of peoples around the globe, from our origins as a species to the present time.
Four Sub-Fields
Anthropology approaches its study of human life and lifeways through time and across space through each of four sub-fields: socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistics. Hamline's anthropology department offers courses in all four sub-fields.
Socio-cultural Anthropology
Cultural anthropologists specialize in the study of human behavior by living with peoples of other cultures and exploring their experiences and beliefs with them.
Archaeology
Archaeologists reconstruct human history through the analysis of what one might call "other peoples' garbage;" the remains of such sites as ancient cities and paleolithic hunting camps provide all the information we have of most of human history.
Biological Anthropology
Physical anthropologists are concerned with human beings as biological organisms, their evolution, development, and relationship to other primates.
Linguistics
Linguistic anthropologists investigate the myriad ways in which communication and social life affect each other by observing how speakers use language in a wide range of social settings.
