Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology > Chronology > Absolute dating methods
Field Work Tradition in Anthropology — 2014 Paper I
Question · 2014 · Paper I · 10 Marks
Field work tradition in Anthropology
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Explain the importance and distinctive characteristics of fieldwork as the methodological foundation of anthropology.
- Structuring the Response: Trace its development, especially through Malinowski, and identify its major methods and contemporary refinements.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Malinowski, participant observation, long-term residence, language, rapport, emic perspective, reflexivity and ethnography.
Model Answer
Introduction: Fieldwork is the defining methodological tradition of social-cultural anthropology. It involves direct and sustained engagement with the people being studied in their everyday social and cultural setting.
Early anthropology depended heavily on second-hand accounts. A major transformation came with Bronislaw Malinowski’s fieldwork among the Trobriand Islanders, which established intensive participant observation as a disciplinary ideal.
Major characteristics include:
- prolonged residence in the community;
- learning the local language;
- participant observation;
- interviews;
- genealogies;
- case studies;
- collection of life histories;
- recording everyday behaviour.
Malinowski emphasized understanding the “native’s point of view”, anticipating the importance of the emic perspective.
Thus:
Participation + Observation + Rapport → Ethnographic understanding
Modern fieldwork additionally stresses:
- informed consent;
- research ethics;
- reflexivity;
- awareness of researcher–informant power relations.
Fieldwork enables comparison between what people say they do and what they actually do.
Conclusion: The fieldwork tradition transformed anthropology from speculative study into an empirical, experience-near discipline, making ethnography its distinctive source of knowledge.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2014 — Paper I
28 questions8(a) Discuss Ageing and Senescence. Describe either the biological or social theories of Ageing.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Ageing and senescence > Theories of ageing
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Infectious and non-infectious diseases
5(d) Asian Homo erectus
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus in Asia
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Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Methodologies for growth studies > Cross-sectional method
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Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent > Double descent
1(d) Ecological Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Bio-cultural adaptations
5(c) Epidemiological Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Health and disease
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Forces changing gene frequency
5(e) Fertility and Fecundity
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality
1(e) Field work tradition in Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.1 Research Methods > Fieldwork tradition in Anthropology
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20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Functionalism > Functional approach to religion
1(b) Genealogical Method
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Genealogy
5(b) Genetic Counselling
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(d) Genetic screening, genetic counselling and human DNA profiling
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Man's physiological responses to environmental stresses > High altitude climate
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.1 The Nature of Culture > Concept and characteristics of culture > Culture and human uniqueness
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Law and justice in simple societies
1(c) Major sub-divisions of Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.3 Main branches of Anthropology: their scope and relevance
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Definition and universality > Types of marriage
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Neolithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Ritual and ceremony > Rites of passage (van Gennep)
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.1 Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology > Relevance of Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Comparative anatomy of man and apes
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Concept of human growth and development > Stages of growth
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Band, tribe, chiefdom, state and stateless societies
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification > Status and role; ascribed and achieved status
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(b) Sex chromosomal aberrations > Klinefelter (XXY) and Turner (XO)