Anthropology - Dhakuakhana College

39 Pages·2011·0.16 MB·English

SCHEME OF PAPERS
B.A./B.Sc. Anthropology- Core Course

FIRST SEMESTER

Paper – E 101 : Introduction to Anthropology Marks 100
60 Lectures

SECOND SEMESTER

Paper-E 201 Physical Anthropology and Social & Cultural
Anthropology Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half : Physical Anthropology: Human Evolution Marks: 50
30 Lectures
Second Half: Social and Cultural Anthropology: Social Institution
and Culture Marks: 50
30 Lectures

THIRD SEMESTER

Paper-E 301 Physical Anthropology & Practical in Prehistory
and Technology Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half: Physical Anthropology: Human Variation Marks: 50
30 Lectures

Second Half: Practical in Prehistory and Technology Marks: 50
30 Lectures

FOURTH SEMESTER

Paper-E 401: Prehistoric Anthropology & Physical Anthropology
Practical Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half: Prehistoric Anthropology Marks: 50
30 Lectures

Second Half: Physical Anthropology Practical Marks: 50
30 Lectures

FIFTH SEMESTER

Paper-E 501 Human Genetics and Physical Anthropology
Practical Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half: Human Genetics Marks: 50
30 Lectures
Second Half: Physical Anthropology Practical Marks: 50
30 Lectures

SIXTH SEMESTER

Paper-E 601 Field Methodology and Field Work based
Report Marks 100

First Half: Field Methodology and Elementary Statistic Marks: 50
30 Lectures

Second Half: Field work based Report Marks: 50

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B.A./B.Sc. Anthropology- Core Course

FIRST SEMESTER

Paper – E 101 : Introduction to Anthropology Marks 100
60 Lectures

Objective:
The course aims to help the students to understand the holistic perspectives and
integrative approaches of anthropology, not only amongst its four branches but also across a
wide variety of other disciplines.

Unit 1.1: Fundamental of Anthropology: Marks: 20
14 Lectures
Meaning and Scope of Anthropology, History and development of
Anthropology, Branches of Anthropology: (a) Social-Cultural Anthropology,
(b) Physical Anthropology, (c) Prehistoric Anthropology, (d) Linguistic
Anthropology. Relationship of Anthropology with other disciplines: Life
Sciences, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences and other Sciences.

Unit 1.2: Fundamentals of Physical Anthropology Marks: 20
14 Lectures
Definition, aim and scope of Physical Anthropology and its relationship with
other branches of Anthropology. A general study of human skeleton. Man’s
place in the animal kingdom. Classification of mammals and their
characteristic features, classification of primates and their characteristic
features. Comparative study of the anatomical characters of apes and man.
Changes in the human skeleton due to assumption of erect posture and bipedal
locomotion.

Unit 1.3: Fundamentals of Social-Cultural Anthropology Marks: 20
10 Lectures
Definition, aim and scope of social cultural anthropology and its relationship
with other branches of anthropology. Concept of culture: meaning and
definition, material and non-material culture. Culture trait, culture complex,
culture area, culture centre.

Unit 1.4: Fundamentals of Prehistoric Anthropology Marks: 20
12 Lectures
Definition, aim and scope of pre-historic anthropology, and its relationship
with other branches of anthropology. Prehistory and Proto-history; Methods of
studying prehistoric anthropology: Geological (stratigraphical),
Palaeontological, Archaeological (typological) and Ethnographical. Tool
technology and tool type.

Unit 1.5: Fundamentals of Applied Anthropology Marks: 20
10 Lectures
Application of Anthropological knowledge in the field of administration,
health and education.
Knowledge of Anthropometry and Human Genetics for human welfare.

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Recommended Reading:
1. Beals, Ralph L. Harry Hoijer
and Alan R. Beals (1977) : An Introduction to Anthropology (5th edition),
London. Collier Macmillan Publishers (Relevant
chapters 2,7,8,19).
2. Bhattacharyya, D.K. (1972) : Prehistoric Archaeology, Delhi, Hindustan
Publishing Corporation (Introduction and relevant
chapters like 1 to 8).
3. Buettner-Janusch, John(1969): Origins of Man, New Delhi, Willey Eastern Pvt.
Ltd.
4. Das, Priyabala (1974) : Prathamik Aboyabik Nritattwa (in Assamese)
Gauhati, Gauhati University Text Book Production
Corporation (Relevant chapters like
8,9,10,11,12,13).
5. Das, B. M. (1971) : Outlines of Physical Anthropology, Allahabad,
Kitabmahal (Relevant chapters like 1, 2, 3).
6. Herskovits, Mellville, J (1969): Cultural Anthropology, New Delhi, Oxford and
IBH Publishing Co. (Relevant Chapters like 1,3,4).
7. Hammond, Peter B. (1971) : An Introduction to Cultural and Social
Anthropology, New York, Macmillan.
8. Keesing, Roger, M. (1976) : Cultural Anthropology, A Contemporary
Perspective, New York, Macmillan.
9. Kroeber A.L. (1948) : Anthropology, Calcutta, Oxford and IBH
Publishing.
10. Sarkar, R.M. (1976) : Fundamentals of Physical Anthropology, Calcutta,
Blackie (India).
11. Sharma, Tarun Chandra (1974): Prageitihasik Nritattwa (in Assamese). Part I,
Gauhati, G.U. Text Book Production Corporation.
12. Sharma, Tarun Chandra (1975):Pragoitihasik Nritattwa (in Assamese) Part II,
Gauhati G.U. Text Book Production Corporation.
13.Sharma, Harish Chandra (1980): Pragoitihasik Karikori Nritattwa (in Assamese),
Gauhati, G.U. Text Book Production Corporation.
14. Reddy, V. R. (1987) : Elements of Prehistory.New Delhi.
15. Medhi B. K.and Ali : Samajik Nritattar Shamved (Assamese).
16. Advice by Prof. B. Choudhury that General Anthropological book by Ember and
Ember should be included as reference book.
17. Duranti, Allessandro (ed.) (2006): A Companion to Linguistic Anthropology. 350
Main Street, Malden, Blackwell Publishing.
18. Srivastava, A.R.N. (2005): Essentials of Cultural Anthropology. New Delhi.
Prentice-Hall of India Pvt. Ltd.
19. Basu Roy, Indrani: Anthropology
20. Das, R.C.(2008): Anthropology, Part I, Amrita Prakashan, Guwahati.
21. Haviland, W.J.: Anthropology

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SECOND SEMESTER

Paper-E 201 Physical Anthropology and Social and Cultural
Anthropology Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half : Physical Anthropology: Human Evolution Marks: 50
30 Lectures
Objective:
This course aims to help the students to reconstruct the past of the mankind surveying
the available theories on the processes of human evolution with the help of accumulated
material evidences. Highlighting the anatomical peculiarities of the present day man, this
course would further compare the anatomical details with the non-human primates.

Unit 2.1: General principles of organic evolution, concept of evolution
Lamarckism, Darwinism, and Synthetic theory. Marks: 15
8 Lectures

Unit 2.2: Evolution of primates: a general study of the following fossil
types – Adapidae, Anaptomorphidae, Parapithecus, Propliopithecus,
Limnopithecus and Dryopithecinae. Marks: 15
10 Lectures

Unit 2.3: Evolution of man: the study of the following fossils remains to
understand the evolutionary stages of man: Australopithecinae
Homo erectus: Pithecanthropus and Sinanthropus
Homo neanderthalensis
Homo sapiens: Grimaldi, Chancelade, Cromagnon. Marks: 20
12 Lectures

Second Half: Social and Cultural Anthropology: Social Institution and
Culture Marks: 50
30 Lectures
Objective:
This course provides an overview of fundamental human institutions as well as the
basic concepts for understanding and explaining these institutions. The students are also
acquainted with the various socio-cultural anthropological theories.

Unit 2.4: Marriage and Family – definition, types, distinctive features
and functions. Marks: 10
6 Lectures

Unit 2.5: Kinship – definition, terminology and its classification – Kinship Marks: 10
usages. 6 Lectures

Unit 2.6: Culture and society; and their relationship. Culture and Marks: 15
Environment – relationship. Culture and language, Concept 8 Lectures
of culture and personality, the role of culture in personality
formation.

Unit 2.7: A general outline on various socio-cultural anthropological Marks: 25
theories with special reference to: 10 Lectures
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Evolutionism: Classical and Neo Evolutionism
Diffusionism
Functionalism
Structuralism

First Half: Recommended Readings:
1. British Museum : Hand of Evolution.
2. Buettner Janusch John (1969): Origin of Man. New Delhi, Wiley Eastern Pvt. Ltd.
3. Das, B. M. (1971) : Outline of Physical Anthropology (Relevant
chapters like 4, 5)
4. Das, Priyabala (1976) : Jiwasma Manav (in Assamese), Gauhati, G.U. Text
Book Corporation.
5. Howells, W. W. (1964) : Mankind in the Making : The story of Human
Evolution, London, Mercury Books (Relevant
chapter like 1).
6. Hootan, E.A. (1965) : Up From the Ape. Delhi, Motilal Banarasi Das.
7. Korn : Human evolution.
8. Kraus, Bertum : The Basis of Human Evolution.
9. Ashley Mortagu, M.F. : Physical Anthropology.
10. Rastogy and Shukla : Physical Anthropology and Human Genetics.
11. Sarkar, R.M. (1976) : Fundamental of Physical Anthropology.
12. Sankalia, H.D. : Old Stone Age Tools and Their Probable
Functions.
13. Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Notes and Queries
in Anthropology.

Second Half : Recommended Readings:
1. Ali Irshad and B.K.Medhi (1982): Samajik Nritattwa Sambhed (in Assamese),
Guahati G.U.
2. Beals, Ralph L. Harry Hoijer
and Alam R. Beals (1977) : An Introduction to Anthropology (Relevant
chapters like 11 to 15 and 20).
3. Hoebel, E. Adamson (1958): Man in the Primitive World (2nd Edn.) New York
Mc-Grow Hill Book Co. Inc.
4. Keesing, Roger, M. (1976) : Culture Anthropology – A Contemporary
Perspective.
5. Majumdar, D.N. and (1961): An Introduction to Social Anthropology, Bombay,
T.N. Madan Asia Publishing House.
6. Malefijit, Annemarie de Waal (1968): Religion and culture (An Introduction to
Anthropological study of Religion), London,
Collier Macmillan (Relevant chapters like 1,4,12).
7. Norbeck, Edward (1961) : Religion in Primitive Society. New York, Harper &
Raw, Inc.
8. Piddington, R. (1960) : An Introduction to Social Anthropology, Vol. I,
London, Oliver and Boyd.
9. Lasker, G.W. Physical Anthropology.
10. Banerjee, H.N. An Introduction to Social and Cultural
Anthropology.
11. McIver and Page Society: An Introduction.
12. Das R. C.(1989): Prarombhic Nrittata (in Assamese), 2nd Part,
Samudra Printers, Guwahati.

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THIRD SEMESTER

Paper-E 301 Physical Anthropology and Practical in Prehistory and
Technology Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half: Physical Anthropology: Human Variation Marks: 50
30 Lectures

Objective:
This course introduces the students to the racial variation as a product of complex
process of evolution and genetics.

Unit 3.1: Human variation: climatic adaptation, ecological rules, Marks: 10
Adaptive strategies and adaptability. 6 Lectures

Unit 3.2: Biological basis of human variation: mutation, selection, Marks: 10
hybridization and genetic drift 6 Lectures

Unit 3.3: Modern concept of Race. Study of some racial criteria: stature, Marks: 20
skin colour, head form, nose form, face form, eye, ABO blood 12 Lectures
group, dermatoglyphics.

Unit 3.4: Major racial groups of the world – their physical characters Marks: 10
and distribution. Racial classification of Human population 6 Lectures
in India. H.H. Risley, B.S. Guha, S.S. Sarkar.

Second Half: Practical in Prehistory and Technology Marks: 50
30 Lectures

Objective:
The course aims to help the students to study prehistoric tools as well as material
artifacts including pottery and other household implements in relation to cultural
development.

Group A Prehistory: Marks: 25
16 Lectures
Objective: Students should be able to identify the tool types they have studied
in the evolutionary sequence along with their techniques of manufacture.
Students are to undertake systematic drawing and description of the following
tool types illustrating morphological features, techniques, probable use,
probable age, manipulating, tool type etc.
1. Lower Palaeolithic – 2 (two)
2. Middle Palaeolithic – 2 (four)
3. Upper Palaeolithic – 2 (two)
4. Mesolithic – 2 (two)
5. Neolithic – 2 (two)
Students shall maintain a Laboratory Note Book for which 5 marks are allotted

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Group B: Technology: Marks: 25
14 Lectures

Objective: Study of implements, illustrative of material culture and
subsistence economy of the tribal and non-tribal communities with special
reference to North east India. Students are to systematically draw and describe
the following implements:
1. Hunting – 2(two)
2. Fishing – 2(two)
3. Agriculture - 2(two)
4. Basketry - 2(two)
The record of work is to maintained in Practical Note Book for which 5 marks
are allotted.
[The students may be exposed to various objects of material culture during
their ethnographic fieldwork]

First Half: Recommended Readings:
1. Boyd, W.C. (1950): Genetics and the Races of Man. Boston: D.C. Heath.
2. Coon, S.C.; S.M. Garn and J.B. Birdsell (1950): Races: A Study of the Problems of Race
Formation in Man. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas.
3. Coon, S.C. (1962): The Origin of Races. New York, K. Knopf.
4. Garn, S.M. (1969): Human Races. Springfield, Charles C. Thomas.

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FOURTH SEMESTER

Paper-E 401: Prehistoric Anthropology & Practical in Physical
Anthropology Marks 100
60 Lectures

First Half: Prehistoric Anthropology Marks: 50
30 Lectures

Objective:
The paper projects man as a cultural being in historical perspective. It also deals with
glimpses on origin and development of tool forms and technology. Handling of material
remains such as stone, bone and wooden tools, metal objects, pottery of different shapes,
function – all help the students to understand the cultural evolutions through typo-technology.

Unit 4.1: Geological Time Scale, Pleistocene period and its significance in prehistory.
Climatic Fluctuation during Pleistocene period: Glacial and Interglacial,
Pluvial and Inter-Pluvial.

Unit 4.2: Prehistoric technology: tool type; tool technology and tool industry. Dating
Technique: Relative (Stratigraphical and Associated finds) and Absolute
(Radiocarbon and Potassium Argon).

Unit 4.3: Prehistoric culture: Lower Palaeolithic, Middle Palaeolithic and Upper
Palaeolithic culture; Mesolithic culture, Lower Palaeolithic culture of Africa,
Europe and India.

Unit 4.4: Neolithic Association of Geological Time Scale with Prehistoric culture,
Cultural Development, Indus valley civilization.

Second Half: Practical in Physical Anthropology Marks 50
30 Lectures

Objective:
this practical course aims to strengthen the confidence of students to employ
appropriate instrument and techniques required for various measurements and observations.

Group A: Somatometry and Somatoscopy Marks: 20
14 Lectures

Somatometry: Candidates shall record somatometric measurements taken on 3 subjects:

1 Maximum head length 9 Nasal breadth
2 Maximum head breadth 10 Stature
3 Horizontal circumference of head 11 Sitting height vertex
4 Minimum frontal breadth 12 Height tragus
5 Breadth of bi-zygomatic arc 13 Height acromion
6 Total facial height 14 Girth of thorax
7 Upper facial height 15 Bi-acromial diameter
8 Nasal height 16 Weight

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Indices to be calculated :
1. Cephalic Index
2. Nasal Index
3. Morphological facial Index
4. Morphological Upper facial Index
5. Relative sitting height Index
6. Breadth-height Index
7. Length-height Index

Somatoscopy: The following observations shall be made on 3 individuals: Marks: 15
8 Lectures

1 Skin Colour
2 Hair on head
a) hair form
b) hair texture
c) hair whorl
3 Beard and Moustache quantity
4 Forehead slope
5 Supra-orbital ridges promience
6 Eye
a) eye-fold
b) eye-slit
7 Nose
a) nasal root
b) nasal bridge
c) nasal septum
8 Lips size
9 Face
a) frontal outline
b) prognathism
c) malar prominence

Group B: Osteology: Marks: 15
8 Lectures

Drawing, Description and identification (side & position) of the following
bones of human skeleton:
Frontal, parietal, occipital, mandible, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis,
femur, tibia and fibula.

First Half : Recommended Readings:
1. Bhattacharyya, D.K. (1972): Prehistoric Archaeology, Delhi, Hindustan
Publishing Corporation (Introduction and relevant
chapters like 1 to 8).
2. Sharma, Tarun Chandra (1974): Prageitihasik Nritattwa (in Assamese). Part I,
Gauhati G.U. Text Book Production Corporation.
3. Sharma, Tarun Chandra (1975) :Pragoitihasik Nritattwa (in Assamese). Part II,
Gauhati G.U. Text Book Production Corporation.
4. Sharma, Harish Chandra (1980): Pragoitihasik Karikori Nritattwa (in Assamese),
Gauhati, G.U. Text Book Production Corporation.
5. Reddy, V.R. (!987) : Elements of Prehistory, New Delhi.
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