Anthropology is extremely diverse subject that provides multifaceted information and an excitement in learning for students. It is a discipline through which we seek to understand human nature and the broad implications of social interaction. Anthropologists study societies at first hand with a humanistic interest in their cultures and customs but uses a scientific approach to gather information that they hope will ultimately lead to a greater appreciation and acceptance of the diversity in human societies.
Social Anthropology is an exciting mix of diverse approaches that explore the origin of human being, the adoption of cultures within diversified habitats, the adaptation and livelihood of different societies within extremely diversified ecology.
Considering these diversities, in the past decades Social anthropologists have focused their interest to the role of gender in society, the rights of indigenous peoples, agricultural and economic developments, origins and development of languages and other contemporary concerns like HIV/AIDS, poverty…etc. Social Anthropology unites these and other diverse topics into a single field by taking as its goal the most complete understanding of the human condition possible.
A major strength of anthropology is that, it focuses on cross–cultural-research that bases its conclusion on data drawn from many diverse ways of life. As a science, anthropology has its own distinctive research methods involving fieldwork and the comparative method taking the form of participant observation and cross-cultural comparison. Practitioners of anthropology would be, therefore, objective social servants in various capacities in the governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Nowadays, Ethiopia encounters diverse and multifaceted socio-economic and political problems and there is an imperative need for documenting, understanding, and, scientifically exploring them. Thus, disciplines like Social Anthropology with holistic characters are more than indispensable to explore, document and analyze the cultures of indigenous societies of our country, and to also to
take part in solving the different socio-economic and political problems of the country with collaboration of other disciplines. That is also why anthropology became a common course for all first-year students of the county.
The need for opening the program is certainly justified by the fact that Ethiopia is the cradle of humankind with diverse cultures and groups having great potential for anthropological studies. As located in multicultural country, Ethiopia, Injibara University has opened Social anthropology in BA Degree program in 2015 E.C to contribute its part in filling the gaps in knowledge of socio-cultural, economic and political aspects of the country. Consideration has also been made regarding the availability of resources for the training program. Therefore, opening Social Anthropology program provides manpower trained in social anthropology that fulfill the immense duties that face the federal, regional, and local governments as well as national and international NGOs working in the sphere of socio-cultural lives of Ethiopia that are demanding a large size of graduates in social anthropology. Currently, the department enrolls two batches in regular program: 2nd and 3rd year students. Hence, any interested applicants can join the Social anthropology BA degree either in regular or extension program.
- Program Objective
Social anthropology program at University has the general objective of producing competent manpower in social anthropology, well equipped in knowledge, skills, theories, methods and approaches of the discipline, who will contribute a part in governmental and non-governmental agencies working in the endeavors towards curbing the problems that facing the peoples of Ethiopia.
- Graduate Profile
The graduates of Social Anthropology BA program acquire wide-ranging conceptual, pragmatic, methodological and civic competencies that shall prepare them to undertake the following:
- Undertake independent and comparative researches in multicultural settings and make critical evaluation of research findings;
- Able to use various anthropological theories to analyze and explain the workings of human society and social realities in general and Ethiopian society in particular.
- Able to empathically understand diverse human societies in terms of their own cultures and conduct research practices that is free from ethnocentrism.
- Be able to promote active participation and effective teamwork in solving societal problems while maintaining appropriate professional and ethical standards.
- Identify different Anthropological perspectives, and assess and apply Anthropological frameworks to socio-cultural realities;
- Independently frame and execute research projects, and critically evaluate research findings; and effectively participate in multidisciplinary research projects that require teamwork, by promoting an understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives and also actively involving in any team works;
- Establish links between Anthropological analysis and public policy on different administrative and decision-making levels, including the local, regional, federal and global;
- Advocate on behalf of disadvantaged groups, including pastoralists, ethnic minorities, the dislocated, famine victims, women, children, etc., who require a culture sensitive and compassionate understanding to their causes;
- Work efficiently and effectively in positions like socioeconomic planning, rural and urban development, health and culture office, teaching, etc., where Anthropological perspectives and methods are in high demand.
- Able to provide professional and intellectual advices and consultations along the continuum of needy stakeholders.
- Able to evict desirable and aspired social changes in the current globalized and dynamic social world.Academic RequirementsBased on the revised academic policy of Ethiopian public higher education institutions, the admission requirements to join social anthropology degree program is the following:
- Students who have completed their preparatory program in the field of the social sciences and obtaining the necessary pass marks in the Ethiopian higher education entrance examination.
- Students who have completed their secondary education in foreign countries on the basis of equivalent academic achievements that shall be determined by the ministry;
- Students who have completed their fresh man education in the field of social sciences and successfully passed to the second-year education and
- Candidates who hold diplomas in related fields from recognized higher learning institutions.
- Duration of Study
- Medium of Instruction
- Degree Nomenclature
Click the links Below to see all Details about the Staff:-
