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Contact:
Azizur R. Molla, M.P.H., Ph.D.
Asst. Professor of Anthropology
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Phone (570) 662-4482
Email: amolla@mansfield.edu

1. What is anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of human population and its ancestors across time and space. It studies to understand the origin and evolution of the human species, as well as its biological and cultural diversity. General Anthropology encompasses the field of anthropology as a whole, consisting of the four major sub-disciplines which are: Archaeological, Biological, Cultural, and Linguistic. Archaeological Anthropology studies human behavior and cultural patterns as well as processes through the culture’s material remains. Biological Anthropology studies human biological variation. Cultural Anthropology studies human society and culture. Linguistic Anthropology studies origin, history, and socio-cultural aspects of language.

2. What is difference between sociology and anthropology?

Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. Sociologists study the processes and patterns of individual and group interaction, the forms of organization of social groups, the relationships among them, and group influences on individual behavior. Focus is given to the understanding of group or other collective factors in human behavior.

Anthropology is the study of humankind. To incorporate all aspects of the human experience, anthropology has four major subdisciplines: Physical Anthropology, the study of the biological evolution of humans; Archaeology, the study of the evolution of culture; Linguistic Anthropology, the study of human languages; and Cultural Anthropology, the study of the variations and similarities of human behavior cross-culturally. The department offers introductory courses in all four subdisciplines but the major focus is in cultural anthropology.

3. What is the main focus of Mansfield University’s Anthropology Program?

At Mansfield University, anthropology is a dual Sociology/Anthropology degree program. It prepares students for a variety of careers in our increasingly multi-cultural society by teaching students critical thinking and evaluation skills, and providing the tools to learn appropriate research methods and analysis. The major is especially strong in social research methods for which there is an ample job market. Students are encouraged to choose a concentration in either Sociology or Anthropology, but a broad based, liberal education in both and interdisciplinary studies outside the department is strongly recommended. The program is designed to allow students maximum flexibility to pursue their interests and career goals and combines easily with other minors in other disciplines.

4. What applied component Mansfield University’s anthropology program has? Are there opportunities to be involved in research?

Anthropology can be applied e.g. compile research data, create theories and methods to identify problems, and assess and solve contemporary social problems in different fields including medical sectors. The Anthropology program at Mansfield University focuses on medical and applied research. Currently a faculty-student joint research on “Impact of Radon Gas on People living in Mansfield, PA” is underway. The Anthropology program is also involved in projects abroad.

5. Are there opportunities to study abroad? When is the next study abroad program in anthropology?

There are programs to study abroad. Students can go to different countries around the world to study different populations. As a new program component, there is a plan to send a team of students who will go to Bangladesh to conduct ethnographic research in summer 2008. The study will look at current health services, people's knowledge and practice of traditional healing medicine, and the conflict and overlap between them. Students interested in faculty-student joint research or study in abroad can contact the anthropology faculty at amolla@mansfield.edu

6. Where can I participate in ethnographic research?

There are ethnographic research courses, field study courses and applied anthropology courses offered at the Mansfield University. As part of the courses students are required to conduct ethnographic research in the local community as well as in another country. They also can conduct an ethnographic survey as an independent study course.

7. How many courses do I need to complete in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree in anthropology?

Click here to view the Mansfield catalog page for the Anthropology Degree


8. What are ANH-4480 ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY and ANH-4490 FIELD STUDY and why are they necessary to graduate?

ANH-4480 is a seminar on the history and development of anthropological thought from social evolution through post-processual theory. The course covers both macro and mid-range theories and current trends in the anthropological perspective. Prerequisites: Upper-class standing in the anthropology/sociology major. Credits: 3

ANH-4490 is supervised field work in any sub-discipline of anthropology: physical, archaeology, linguistic, or cultural anthropology. Each student’s research proposal will be individually arranged. Prerequisites: Upper class standing in the anthropology tract of the sociology/anthropology major, or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3-12 cr.

These courses are designed to give the student professional experience in the field of anthropology before graduation. The students will conduct research in an area of their choosing, with guidance from their instructors.

9. What courses are cross listed for a double major?

Currently following courses are cross listed with anthropology.

ANH 1102 (=BSC 1104) Human Evolution
ANH 1104 (== ENG 1175) Society and Language
ANH 3308 (=HST 3388) African Cultures
ANH 3332 (=COM 3332) Cross-cultural Communication
ANH 3333 (= HST 3275) South and Southeast Asian Ethnology
ANH 3280 (=ENG 3281) Anthropological Linguistics
ANH 3296 (=HST 3296) European Ethnography
ANH 3335 (=BI 3355) Paleoanthropology
ANH 3390 (=BI 3391) Evolution
(W) ANH 4471 (=HST 4471) Ethnography of Mexico and the Caribbean

10. Can I minor in anthropology? How many courses would I need to complete?

Click here to read about the minor in Anthropology

11. What courses are being offered this semester?

There is a five year course rotation schedule 2007-2011. Please visit the course rotation page.

12. What might be my career choices as an anthropologist and what are my job prospects if I obtain the degree?

· Please visit the job prospects page.

13. What graduate school offer MS and PhD in anthropology?

· Please visit the graduate schools page.

14. Is there an anthropology club?

There is an anthropology club at Mansfield University. The club is considered as “a home for leaders”. The club implements several programs involving its members. Anthropology-sociology majors and other interested students become members of the club to maximize their social and academic achievements.

15. What kinds of activities are sponsored by the club?

A variety of field trips are arranged each year by faculty and the Anthropology Club.

• Students travel to see special museum exhibitions, archaeological excavations in progress, attend and participate in professional conferences, and visit social agencies in New York City
  
• Students are encouraged to join one of the study abroad programs offered by the University. Anthropological Field Study requires students to complete a research project in either ethnology or archaeology. The department has had an archaeological research exchange program with Volgograd State University in Russia for the past several years. Many archaeological field schools both locally and internationally are available for student participation.
  
• Ethnographic field study projects have included
  • studying the Iroquois at the Native American Friendship Center in Canada,
  • the impact of tourism in Costa Rica,
  • friendship networks in Sri Lanka.
    
• Archaeological field study projects have been conducted in Italy, Bronze and Iron Age burial mounds on the Eurasian Steppes (Russia), and local excavations in Pennsylvania and New York.
  
• During the Fall 2007 semester, the Anthropology Club is sponsoring a trip the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.
  
  For more information visit the Anthropology Club Page.
  

16. Who should contact if I have further question?

If you have questions not covered in the frequently-asked-questions or you would like to share your comments regarding the Anthropology program please contact:

Azizur R. Molla, M.P.H., Ph.D.
Asst. Professor of Anthropology
207 Pinecrest Manor
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, PA 16933

Phone: (570) 662-4482
Email: amolla@mansfield.edu

The department secretary for Social Work, Anthropology and Sociology is:

Ms. Gayle M. Kreitzer
213 Pinecrest Manor
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, PA 16933

Phone: (570) 662-4661
Email: gkreitze@mansfield.edu

The department chairperson for Social Work, Anthropology and Sociology is:

Dr. Nancy L. Sidell
Professor of Social Work
211 Pinecrest Manor
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, PA 16933

Phone: (570) 662-4489
Email: nsidell@mansfield.edu
Rev.08/14/07 by amolla@mansfield.edu XXXXXXXXXXXXXX