What Is Anthropology?
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Jennifer Sweeney Tookes
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
Department
Anthropology
Abstract
This study examines how working adults understand Anthropology and perceive its usefulness in the 21st century. Drawing on 17 semi-structured interviews conducted by undergraduate and graduate students in a Cultural Research Methods class, participants were asked to define anthropology, discuss its perceived value, reflect on how they think other individuals understand the discipline, and discuss how anthropological think can be useful to them in their professional field. Analysis of these interviews revealed that participants commonly had misconceptions about anthropology, including associations with bones, fossils, dinosaurs, or a general unfamiliarity with the discipline. In contrast, other respondents defined anthropology more broadly in terms of humans, social understanding, systems of life, culture, and social diversity, and viewed it as beneficial for fostering connections and communication among people. These findings suggest that while Anthropology's purpose remains poorly understood by individuals outside of the discipline, it is valued for its emphasis on human understanding.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Cleveland, Gracie M. and de Groot, Summer C., "What Is Anthropology?" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 48.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/48
What Is Anthropology?
Russell Union Ballroom
This study examines how working adults understand Anthropology and perceive its usefulness in the 21st century. Drawing on 17 semi-structured interviews conducted by undergraduate and graduate students in a Cultural Research Methods class, participants were asked to define anthropology, discuss its perceived value, reflect on how they think other individuals understand the discipline, and discuss how anthropological think can be useful to them in their professional field. Analysis of these interviews revealed that participants commonly had misconceptions about anthropology, including associations with bones, fossils, dinosaurs, or a general unfamiliarity with the discipline. In contrast, other respondents defined anthropology more broadly in terms of humans, social understanding, systems of life, culture, and social diversity, and viewed it as beneficial for fostering connections and communication among people. These findings suggest that while Anthropology's purpose remains poorly understood by individuals outside of the discipline, it is valued for its emphasis on human understanding.
