Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Human adaptability
The Relevance of Anthropology — 2018 Paper I
Question · 2018 · Paper I · 10 Marks
The Relevance of Anthropology
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Explain why Anthropology remains relevant for understanding both human diversity and contemporary social problems.
- Structuring the Response: Establish its holistic and comparative nature, then show applications in health, development, tribal welfare, forensics and globalization.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Holism, biocultural approach, cultural diversity, applied anthropology, development, health, tribal studies and contemporary relevance.
Model Answer
Introduction: Anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humankind across biological, social, cultural and temporal dimensions. Its relevance lies in integrating natural sciences, social sciences and humanities to understand human diversity.
Major areas of relevance:
- Understanding human evolution: Biological anthropology reconstructs human origins, adaptation and genetic variation.
- Understanding cultural diversity: Socio-cultural anthropology explains different systems of:
- kinship;
- religion;
- economy;
- politics;
- social organization.
- Biocultural perspective: Anthropology shows that human behaviour and health result from interaction between:
Biology + Culture + Environment
- Tribal and indigenous studies: Anthropological knowledge contributes to culturally sensitive policies concerning land, livelihood and development.
- Medical anthropology: It explains culturally shaped concepts of illness, healing and healthcare behaviour.
- Applied anthropology: Anthropologists contribute to:
- development planning;
- rehabilitation;
- public health;
- education;
- social impact assessment.
- Forensic anthropology: Skeletal analysis assists identification of human remains.
- Globalization: Anthropology studies migration, identity, ethnicity and cultural transformation.
Conclusion: Anthropology remains relevant because its holistic, comparative and field-based approach connects biological humanity with cultural diversity and provides practical insights into contemporary human problems.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2018 — Paper I
28 questions5(b) Advanced Molecular Anthropology Techniques
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.1 Human Genetics: Methods and Application > D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies
6(b) Do Allen's rule and Bergmann's rule hold for human populations ? Explain with examples.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Bio-cultural adaptations
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man > Biological and cultural factors
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Case study
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence > Hunting and gathering
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Neolithic
3(c) Critically examine that the structure and content of language are influenced by culture.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Social context of language use
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Law and justice in simple societies
1(b) Difference between Science and Magic
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Religion, magic and science
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Ageing and senescence
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.1 Research Methods > Fieldwork tradition and ethnography
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Health and disease
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology > Field methods
5(c) Categorize Genes that influence Human Survival.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Gene and gene action
5(a) Gordon Childe's Theory of Cultural Evolution
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural evolution > Gordon Childe
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Iron Age
1(d) Kinship Terminology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Kinship terminology
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Forces changing gene frequency
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Culture and Personality > National character studies
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods > Radiocarbon dating
5(d) Race is a Myth. Justify its Present Day Relevance.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Biological basis of racial classification
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders)
1(a) The Relevance of Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.1 Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology > Relevance of Anthropology
1(c) Town Planning of Harappan Culture
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Chalcolithic and Harappan
1(e) Ways of Acquiring Mate in Tribal Society
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Ways of acquiring a mate