Anthropology is the study of human behavior, beliefs, and adaptations. In the U.S. this study is traditionally divided into four sub-fields. The Anthropology department at U.W. offers courses in all four sub-fields: Archaeology and Biological, Cultural, and Linguistic Anthropology.
Archaeology | Uses material remains, usually from past cultures, to understand and explain human behavior and adaptive strategies through time. |
Biological/ | Is the study of humans as biological organisms; research areas include human evolution, diversity in modern human populations, medical anthropology |
Cultural Anthropology | Explores patterns of belief and behavior in contemporary and historical cultures around the world. |
Linguistic Anthropology | Documents and studies languages in terms of structure, acquisition, and use in the transmission of culture. |
While each of the sub-disciplines emphasizes different aspects of human adaptation, when combined in a four-field approach they offer a powerful tool for explaining human diversity.
