Researching cultural groups or anthropological theory could be fun.
Taking an anthropology course can open your mind to new ideas and different cultures, especially if you chooses classes that require research papers. Investigate famous anthropologists, theories, schools of thought, controversies and important studies in anthropology as you narrow down possible topics for your next anthropology research project.
Preparation Tips
Determine whether your instructor or professor is providing a list of possible research project topics or if you are choosing your own. Knowing what topic options are out there and what types of research projects you may be expected to do can help you focus more on learning and less on worrying.
Refer to your textbook and lecture notes to come up with ideas for topics you could pursue. Conduct some preliminary online and library research to see if there are enough resources before deciding on a topic. Get approval from your professor before beginning your research project to ensure you are on the right track.
Famous Anthropologists
Select to write about a famous anthropologist and his work if given an option. You could choose a physical/biological, archaeological, linguistic, applied and/or cultural anthropologist to research. Learn about Franz Boas, Margaret Mead or Marshall Sahlins, for example. Compile a list of famous anthropologists and rank your list based on who interests you most.
Theories
Research theories such as anthropological ideas about why a practice occurs in a culture or a role people play in their cultural group if you are more interested in anthropological thought rather than anthropological thinkers. Learn more about gender studies within anthropology, structuralism, postmodernism, economic anthropology theory or theories about evolution. Decide on theories that could have relevance to other classes you are taking, personal interests or even are related to your career aspirations.
Controversies
Research both sides of an anthropological debate. For example, include different viewpoints on immigration, globalization or military involvement abroad. Present the viewpoints alongside what anthropology could offer or does offer to further understand the complexity of the issue and both sides of the debate. Critique viewpoints like an anthropologist would -- holistically and with cultural relativity in mind.
Examine historic controversies among anthropologists and journalists, such as the debates surrounding the work of anthropologists Margaret Mead or Napoleon Chagnon. Investigate the recent debate surrounding the word "science" and its role within the American Anthropological Association's mission statement. Present the views on race within anthropology over the past two centuries.
Important Anthropological Studies
Perhaps your assignment is to write about important research and studies in anthropology. Use the lists of famous anthropologists and schools of thought to create a list of possible important works to research. For example, look at Boas' work with the Northwest groups to see how the notion of cultural relativity arose. See what William Rathje and his students did in examining people's consumption through their refuse piles. Pick a cultural group you always wanted to know more about or even a famous archaeological site.
Compare the use of race in forensic anthropology with its deconstruction within anthropology theory as nothing more than a social construct. Reflect upon what anthropology as a discipline has taught and explained about past cultural practices or the problems introduced in contact with other cultural groups, such as changes in language.
