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UGC/NTA Net - Anthropology
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Anthropology
Overview and Scope of Anthropology
History, development, aim, and scope of Anthropology
Relationship with other sciences
Different branches of Anthropology (including Linguistic Anthropology) and their interrelationship
Research Methodology and Methods
Concepts of epistemology, ontology, and theoretical perspectives
Types of research: qualitative and quantitative
Research design and hypothesis
Fieldwork and Fieldwork Tradition
Ethnography, Observation, Interview
Case Study, Life History, Focus group
PRA, RRA, Genealogical Method
Schedules and Questionnaires
Grounded Theory, Exploration and Excavation, GIS
Statistics
Concept of variables and sampling
Measures of central tendency and dispersion
Parametric and nonparametric tests
Bivariate and multivariate statistical tests (linear regression and logistic regression)
Techniques of Analysis
Content analysis
Discourse analysis
Narratives
Unit 2: Evolution
Theories of Evolution
Lamarckism, Neo-Lamarckism
Darwinism, Neo-Darwinism
Synthetic theory
Neutral theory of molecular evolution
Concepts of cladogenesis and anagenesis
Punctuated equilibrium
Selection
Primate Radiation
Trends in Primate radiation
Primate classification and distribution of extinct and extant species
Characteristics of Primates
Morphological characteristics (e.g., hair)
Skeletal characteristics (cranial, post-cranial, dental, brain)
Physical characteristics (opposability of thumb)
Locomotion (quadrupedalism, brachiation, bipedalism) and posture
Primate social behaviour
Extant Primates
Distribution, characteristics, and classification
Prosimii:
Tarsiioidea
Lorisoidea
Lemuroidea
Anthropoidea:
Ceboidea
Cercopithecoidea
Hominoidea
Morphological and anatomical characteristics of Human, Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Orangutan, and Gibbon
Fossils of Extinct Primates
Oligocene-Miocene fossils: Parapithecus, Gigantopithecus, Aegyptopithecus, Dryopithecus, Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus
Pre-Hominid Groups
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (Toumai)
Orrorin tugenensis
Ardipithecus ramidus
Early Hominids
Australopithecus afarensis
Australopithecus ramidus
Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus (Paranthropous) boisei
Australopithecus (Paranthropous) robustus
Australopithecus bahrelghazali
Early Transitional Human
Homo habilis
Hominid Evolution
Characteristics and distribution of Homo erectus
Fossil evidence:
Africa (Turkana boy)
Asia (Java man and Peking man)
Europe (Dmanisi)
Homo floresiensis (Dwarf variety)
Archaic Sapiens
Europe (Homo heidelbergensis)
Africa (Rhodesian Man)
Asia (China, Jinniushan, India, Narmada Man)
Neandertal Man
Distribution
Salient features
Phylogenetic position
Anatomically Modern Homo Sapiens
Africa (Omo)
Europe (Cro-magnon, Chancelade, Grimaldi)
Asia (Jinniushan)
Australia (Lake Mungo)
Dispersal of Modern Humans
Out of Africa hypothesis
Multiregional hypothesis
Partial Replacement hypothesis
Unit 3: Modern Human Variation
Models of Human Variation
Typological Model
Populational Model
Clinal Model
Overview of Classification proposed by Blumenbach, Deniker, Hooton, Coon, Garn, and Birdsell
Ethnic Classification and Distribution of Indian Populations
H. Risley
S. Guha
S. Sarkar
Linguistic distribution of ethnic groups
Methods of Studying Human Genetics
Cytogenetics
Mendelian Genetics
Twin Genetics
Sib Pair methods
Population Genetics
Molecular Genetics
Cytogenetics
Cell cycle
Standard karyotyping and banding techniques (G, C, and Q)
Chromosomal abnormalities
Fluorescent in situ hybridization
Lyon’s hypothesis
Importance of telomere and centromere
Linkage and chromosome mapping, genetic imprinting
Modes of Inheritance
Autosomal (dominant, recessive, codominance)
Sex-linked, sex-influenced, and sex-limited inheritance
Modifying genes, suppressor genes, selfish gene
Multiple allelic inheritance
Multifactorial inheritance (stature and skin colour)
Polygenic inheritance
Dermatoglyphics
Finger-ball Pattern types
Dankmeijer’s Index
Furuhata’s Index
Pattern Intensity Index
Total Finger Ridge Count
Absolute Finger Ridge Count
Palmar formula and mainline index
Transversality
atd angle and flexion creases
Population Genetics
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium: definition and application
Mating patterns: random, assortative, and consanguineous
Inbreeding coefficient
Genetic load
Genetic isolate
Genetic drift
Genetic distance
Genetic polymorphism (balanced and transient)
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, genetic code, and protein structure and synthesis
Concepts of RFLPs, VNTRs, STRs, and SNPs
Mitochondrial DNA
Genic and genomic mutations
Unit 4: Human Growth, Development and Maturation
Concepts and Principles of Growth
Definition and basic principles of growth
Phases of growth: Prenatal and postnatal
Growth and development of different body parts, subcutaneous tissues, and physiological variables
Growth Curves
Velocity curve
Distance curve
Acceleration curve
Scammon’s Growth curve
Catch up and Catch down growth
Aging and Senescence
Somatic, skeletal, and dental maturation
Factors affecting growth: Genetic and Environmental
Secular trends in growth
Methods of Studying Human Growth
Longitudinal studies
Cross-sectional studies
Mixed longitudinal studies
Linked longitudinal studies
Body Composition
Bone mass
Body mass
Percentage of body fat
Segmental fat
Body age
Human Adaptation
Allen’s and Bergmann’s rule
Human Adaptability Programme
Adaptation to heat, cold, and high altitude
Somatotyping
Concept and Development
Approaches: Kretschmer, Sheldon, Parnoll, Health-Carter
Applications
Demography
Multidisciplinary nature and relation with other disciplines
Relationship between demography and anthropological demography
Key components:
Fertility: Concept and determinants
Morbidity and mortality: Concept and determinants
Migration: Concept and determinants
Selection intensity
Concept of Prehistoric Archaeology
Specialized Areas of Archaeology
Ethno-archaeology
Experimental archaeology
Environmental archaeology
Settlement archaeology
Cognitive archaeology
Geo-archaeology
Action archaeology
Theoretical Paradigms
Descriptive period
Scientific period
Interpretative period
Dating Techniques
Typology
Seriation
Geo-archaeological techniques
Obsidian hydration
Chemical dating of bones
Oxygen isotope analysis
Fluorine estimation
Dendrochronology
Radiocarbon dating
Fission track dating
Thermo-luminescence
Potassium-argon dating
Varve clay analysis
Cross-dating
Amino acid racemization
Palaeomagnetic dating
Paleoenvironment and Climatic Changes
Major geological stages: Tertiary, Quaternary, Pleistocene, Holocene
Climatic changes: Glacial and interglacial periods, ice age, pluvial and inter-pluvial phases
Evidence of Quaternary climatic changes:
Moraines
Varve
River terraces
Loess
Sea level changes
Beach sequences
Sea core
Fluviatile deposits
Palynology
Palaeontology
Site formation
Lithic Tool Typology and Technology
Lower Palaeolithic:
Pebble tools
Chopper and chopping tools
Bifaces
Handaxes and cleavers
Middle Palaeolithic:
Clactonian tools
Levalloisian flakes
Mousterian flakes
Discoid cores
Tortoise core
Fluted core
Scrapers and points
Upper Palaeolithic:
Blades
Knives
Blunted back tools
Borers
Burins
Points
Mesolithic: Microliths
Neolithic: Ring stone, grindstone, celt, adze
Overview of Lithic Cultures of Europe
Lower Palaeolithic: Acheulian culture
Middle Palaeolithic: Mousterian culture
Upper Palaeolithic:
Perigordian
Chatelperronian
Gravettian
Aurignacian
Solutrian
Magdalenian
Mesolithic:
Azilian
Tardenoisean
Maglemosian
Kitchen Midden
Natufian
Early Farming Cultures and Neolithic of the Near East
Sites: Jericho, Jarmo, Çatal Huyuk, Shanidar
Unit 6: Lower Palaeolithic Period in India
Lower Palaeolithic Period
Pebble tool culture: Soan Acheulian culture
Madrasian (Kortalayar Valley)
Key sites:
Attirampakkam
Didwana
Belan Valley
Bhimbetka
Chirki-Nevasa
Hunsgi
Krishna Valley
Importance of Hathnora, Narmada Valley
Middle Palaeolithic Period
Key sites: Belan Valley, Bhimbetka, Nevasa, Narmada Valley
Upper Palaeolithic Period
Key sites: Renigunta, Billa Surgam, Patne, Bhimbetka, Son and Belan Valleys, Visadi, Pushkar, Gunjan Valley
Mesolithic Period
Economy and society
Post-Pleistocene environmental changes
Development in microlithic technology
Composite tools and bows and arrows
Key sites:
Bagor
Tilwara
Langhnaj
Adamgarh
Chopani Mando
Sarai Nahar Rai
Birbhanpur
Neolithic Period
Economic and social consequences of food production
Settlements, population growth, craft specializations, class formation, and political institutions
Key sites: Burzahom, Gufkral, Ahar, Gilund, Nagada, Kayatha, Navdatoli, Eran, Nevasa, Chandoli, Daimabad, Inamgaon, Prakash, Maski, Brahmagiri, Sangankallu, Tekkalkota, Piklihal, Nagarjunakonda, Daojali Hading, Kuchai, Sarutadu
Prehistoric Cave Art from India
Bhimbetka
Adamgarh
Indus Civilization
Expansion of village sites
Development of metal technology, art, and writing
Architecture and city planning
Stages and theories of decline
Key sites: Amri, Kot Diji, Kalibangan, Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi
Pottery and Traditions
Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP)
Black and Red Ware
Painted Grey Ware (PGW)
Northern Black Polished Ware (NBP)
Distribution and period of pottery types
Bronze/Copper Age
General characteristics
Distribution
People
Iron Age and Urban Revolution
General characteristics
Distribution
People
Megaliths
Concept and types:
Menhir
Dolmen
Topical
Cist
Cairn circle
Sarcophagi
Unit 7: Conceptual Understanding of Social Anthropology
Culture
Attributes
Holism
Universals
Acculturation
Enculturation
Transculturation
Culture Change
Culture Shock
Cultural Relativism
Civilization
Folk-Urban Continuum
Great and Little Tradition
Cultural Pluralism
World-View
Society
Groups
Institutions
Associations
Community
Status and Role
Incest
Endogamy and Exogamy
Rites of Passage
Social Institutions
Family
Definitions and universality
Typological and Processual methods of study
Types of family: Conjugal-natal, Consanguineal, Nuclear, Joint, Extended
Rules of residence: Patrilocal, Matrilocal, Ambilocal, Bilocal, Neolocal, Avunculocal, Virilocal, Amitalocal, Uxorilocal
Functions of family
Trends of change: Urbanization, Globalization, Industrialization, Feminist movements
Marriage
Definition and universality
Types and functions:
Monogamy
Polygamy (Polyandry, Polygyny)
Hypogamy
Hypergamy
Levirate
Sororate
Preferential and Prescriptive types
Marital transactions: Bride price, Dowry, Marriage as exchange
Kinship
Definition and Descent
Kinship terminology
Matrilineal puzzle
Joking and Avoidance relationships
Moiety, Phratry, Clan, and Lineage
Types of kinship systems
Economic Anthropology
Definition and relationship with Anthropology and Economy
Theories: Malinowski, Formal, Substantivist, Marxist
Livelihoods and Subsistence
Principles of production, distribution, and consumption
Division of labor in hunting-gathering, pastoral, swidden, and agricultural communities
Exchange, reciprocity, gifts, and barter systems
Kula, Potlatch, and Jajmani – Anthropological explanations
Legal Anthropology: Anthropology of Law and Social Sanctions
Political Organization
Definitions
Political processes in bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and state systems
Conflicts and social control
Nations and Nation-states
Democracy
Religion and Belief Systems
Definitions
Belief concepts: Animism, Animatism, Manaism, Bongaism, Totemism, Taboo
Religious specialists: Witch, Shaman, Priest, Medicine-man, Sorcerer
Magic: Definitions, Types, Approaches
Rituals
Social Change
Basic ideas and concepts: Assimilation, Integration, Syncretism, Dominance, and Subjugation
Approaches
Unit 8: Theories in Social Anthropology
Evolutionism
Tylor
Morgan
Fraser
Maine
McLennan
Diffusionism
Austro-German School
British School
American School
Historical Particularism – Boas
Functionalism – Malinowski
Structural-Functionalism – Radcliffe-Brown, Firth, Fortes, Eggan, Parsons
Structuralism – Levi-Strauss
Culture and Personality/Psychological Anthropology
Mead
Benedict
DuBois
Linton
Kardiner
Whiting and Child
Cultural Ecology, Environmental Anthropology, Neo-evolutionism
Leslie White
Julian Steward
Marshall Sahlins
Cultural Materialism – Marvin Harris
Symbolic Anthropology
Victor Turner
Raymond Firth
Mary Douglas
Cognitive Anthropology
Roy D’Andrade
Stephen Tyler
Ward Goodenough
Deep Ethnography and Interpretive Anthropology
Clifford Geertz
Anthropology and Gender
Leela Dube
Renato Rosaldo
Marilyn Strathern
Zora Neale Hurston
Postmodernism, Poststructuralism, and Postcolonialism
Foucault
Derrida
Bourdieu
Ethnicity
Barth
Jeffery
Weber
Unit 9: Stages in the Development of Indian Anthropology
Key Concepts
Social Stratification (e.g., Caste)
Scheduled Caste (SC), Dalit, OBC, Nomadic Groups
Revivalist/Nativist movements
Peasant movements: Malabar and Telengana movements
Tribal Studies
Tribe and Scheduled Tribe (ST)
Particularly Vulnerable Groups (PVTGs)
Tribal movements: Birsa and Naga movements
Tribal Development and Distribution
Village Studies
Indian Village and Village Studies in India
Key contributors:
C. Dube
McKim Marriott
Weiser
Scarlett Epstein
N. Srinivas
G. Bailey
Constitutional Safeguards
Safeguards for SC and ST
Inclusion and Exclusion
Panchayati Raj Institutions
Traditional community political organizations
Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Theoretical Ideas
Sanskritization
Westernization
Modernization
Globalization
Sacred Complex
Nature-Man-Spirit Complex
Early Indian Anthropologists and Their Contributions
S. Ghurye
S. Guha
C. Roy
Iravati Karve
P. Vidyarthi
C. Dube
N. Srinivas
K. Bose
Surajit Sinha
N. Majumdar
R.K. Chopra
Verrier Elwin
S. Sarkar
Dharani Sen
C. Das
C. Biswas
Unit 10: Concepts and Theories
Applied and Specialized Anthropology
Applied Anthropology
Action Anthropology
Engaged Anthropology
Experimental Anthropology
Urban Anthropology
Public Anthropology
Public Archaeology
Specialized Fields
Anthropology of Development
Medical Anthropology
Visual Anthropology
Genomic Studies
Genetic Screening and Counseling
Forensic Anthropology
Food and Nutritional Anthropology
Ergonomics
Kinanthropometry
Business Anthropology
Community Development
Community Development Projects: Rural, Urban, and Tribal
Revisits, Re-studies, Reinterpretations
Intervention and Research Process
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
Anthropological Approaches in Community Studies
Public health
Education
Nutrition
Land alienation
Bonded labor
Housing
Alternative economy
Livelihood
Gender issues
Relief, Rehabilitation, and Relocation
Identity crisis
Communication
Training and management
Aging and the aged
Development Strategies
Plan/Sub Plan
Role of NGOs in Development
Anthropology and NGOs
Empowerment
Women
LGBT groups
research methods
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