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Combining Anthropology with a major in Humanistic Studies

As a discipline, anthropology has two faces. One of them is quite scientific, the other much more interpretive and open to ways of knowing besides scientific method. The two cultural anthropologists on this campus are at home in both camps, but perhaps lean a bit toward the interpretive side, especially as the whole discipline has moved in that direction during the 1980s and early 90s. Therefore if you primarily have humanistic interests, you will probably find much of contemporary cultural anthropology congenial. You may be surprised to find that anthropology has recently borrowed theoretical ideas from contemporary literary criticism, and be surprised to read anthropologists who talk about things like “tropes,” and the “deconstruction” of texts. There is much self-examination going on within anthropology as a discipline, and there is discussion and philosophical debate about the values explicit and implicit in its practice. There is also considerable “experimental” ethnographic writing going on that goes beyond the straight realist descriptions the discipline valued in the past.

Another humanistic trend in the field is a new emphasis on historical understandings. Many anthropologists, particularly those interested in European culture, are turning to past writings, both documentary and published, to develop better understandings of how societies have developed into their contemporary forms. Important in this area has been the development of an anthropology of European culture. It happens that both of UWGB's cultural anthropologists have European specialties.

Lastly, anthropologists have long been interested in analyzing and understanding a series of topics of humanistic interest. Myth, ritual, and religion head the list, as aspects of expressive culture such as art, folklore, music, and dance follow.

The major difference between the interpretive sides of anthropology and Humanistic Studies is the focus upon Western high culture found in the latter. We anthropologists pride ourselves upon understanding ordinary people in non-Western, or Western non-elite, communities. Their ideas, their values, and their belief systems are what fascinate us. However, humanists and anthropologists (and other social scientists) have been approaching each other lately, especially as humanists have begun to embrace the artistic and literary creations of people--minorities and women--who have been excluded from consideration because of sexism, racism, and elitism. The area of popular culture has also grown considerably within the humanities, as has the idea of writing the history of ordinary people. The humanistic studies major provides an excellent exposure to significant works and ideas, mostly in Western culture; a minor in anthropology provides a perspective on the world views, ideas, values, and beliefs of non-Western peoples, and ordinary people living within the boundaries of Western civilization. It is a rich combination guaranteed to provide a broad understanding of humanity.

ANTHROPOLOGY AND HUMANISTIC STUDIES EMPHASES

One Humanistic Studies emphases is perhaps more appropriate to combine with an anthropology minor than others. This is CULTURAL STUDIES which provides a deeper examination of values primarily in Western contexts. Anthropology would compliment this by bringing non-Western values, and ideas about values, into the discussion. Humanistic Studies offers course work that examines European, Latin American, French Canadian, and Native American cultures. Study in the anthropology minor broadens other cultural interests to include the world’s tribal peoples, and, again, both the cultural anthropologists on this campus are specialists in European cultures (Italy and Denmark).

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