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Social and Cultural Anthropology

Sociology    Social and Cultural Anthropology    Demography

Human culture and its global system is made up of differences The objective of anthropological research is to systematically examine and compare these differences. Because of this, the objective of the anthropologist is to familiarise himself with as many different cultures as possible. Anthropological research is often based on extensive fieldwork that is conducted in a different cultural environment. In this manner the researcher can then build up an expertise in the environment that he is working in. Research, however, should not only be limited to one geographical area or community, but should be comprised of broad ethnographic comparisons.

The underlying objective of teaching social and cultural anthropology is to develop in students, an ability to examine and understand social life on a micro and global level. This is achieved by utilising a perspective that is both comparative and grounded in social science and one that can ensure that the researcher extends beyond previous experience. Teaching in social and cultural anthropology emphasises the field's research traditions. By retaining these traditions, contemporary anthropology can address the central questions concerning culture and society posed by researchers today. Teaching in social and cultural anthropology also aims to provide students with a command of the methodology of sociological research. These methods are beneficial to the researcher, and in many fields of working life.

In addition to working for international organisations, anthropologists work and are employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Ministries specialising in projects in developing countries. Moreover, the globalisation of today's economy means that there is a need for more specialists and civil servants who posses the readiness and experience of interacting with different cultures. Anthropology can provide these resources. Finnish society is also becoming more international and as a consequence anthropologists are finding more opportunities to work for the services of State authorities in the fields of migrant and refugee affairs.