Detailed Syllabus Outline
- Definition of anthropology, its historical development and recent trends
- Definition of culture, its characteristics and functions
- Relationship of anthropology with other social sciences
- Sub fields of anthropology that is Biological, archeological, linguistics
- Institution of Family and Marriage
- (Definition, types, structure, functions, family organization)
- Kinship and Social Organization
- (Definition, types, functions, kinship terminology etc)
- Economic Organization: (Definition, evolution, substantivism versus formalism, reciprocity, production, consumption, redistribution, barter and primitive economic systems)
- Political organization: (Definition, evolution of political system, characteristics of Band societies, tribal societies, Chiefdom, and State societies. Internal conflict theories, external conflict theories, origin of civilization, the politic of identity, ethnicity, nationalism modernism, post modernism etc
- Religion: (Definition, evolution of primitive religions, functions of religion, comparison of divine religions and other world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc
- Contemporary human problems; such as poverty, social inequality, political instability, population problems and ethnic violence and terrorism etc
- Rural-urban migration, expansion of cities, major environmental issues, and sanitation problems. Urbanization and development, establishment of slums and squatter settlements, refugees, Yankees, betties, gypsies, wars and conflict. Conversion of power from feudal to industrialists, institutionalization, education system, and change in the mode of production: agriculture to Capitalists’ poverty: theories and remedies, psychological, cultural, economical, political, religious, physical, environmental, ecological, demographical, lingual, and city management. Conflict theory: Carl Marx, problems created by the mechanization and automation.
- Definitions of socio-cultural Changes, various Dimensions of Social Change, barriers in socio-cultural and psychological change. Motivational factors for change, Population
- pressure, diffusion of innovation, socio-religious barriers in accepting the innovation and new ideas. Media and Cultural Change, Dynamics of change in Pakistan: Trends and Prospects
- Ethnic Groups and Ethnicity: Origin of race and theories; Ethnic Groups, Nations and Nationality; Ethnic Conflict; Degree of Social Variation; Rank Societies; caste and Class Societies; Racism and Inequality, Ethnicity and Inequality, and Social Stratification etc.
- Contributors: (Edward Burnett Taylor, Lewis Henry Morgan, James Frazer, Kari Marx, Edmund Leach, Franz Boas, Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, Alfred Krobber, AR Radcliff-Brown, Malinowski, Clifford Geertz, Talal Asad, Akbar S Ahamd, ibne-Khaldoon, Shah Waliulah)
- Classical Theories (Degenerations, Evolutionism, Diffusions,
- Modern Theories Functionalism, Structural-functionalism, Class struggle, Structuralism, Historical Particularism, Feminism, Culture and personality)
- Current Trends in Anthropological Thoughts: (Post Modernism, Romanticism, Poetics and Political of Ethnography)
- Meaning, definition, types and aims of social research
- Qualitative and Quantitative research
- Purpose of research, Research Question, Variables, Hypothesis, Research Objective, Research design, Sampling, field Data Collection, Tools of Data Collection (Questionnaire, Interview, Participant Observation), Data Classification, Data Analysis, and Report Writing.
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Anthropology | William A Haviland |
| Cultural Anthropology | Onrad Philip Kottak |
| Diffusion of Innovation | Evert M. Roger |
| Socio Cultural Dynamics and impact of Technological Change | G. M. Foster |
| Pakistani Society | Akber S. Ahmed |
| Economic Anthropology | Sutti Ortiz |
| Political Anthropology: An introduction | Ted. C. Lawellen |
| Pukhtun economy and society | Akber S. Ahmed |
| Principles of Anthropology | Eliot Dismore Chapple and Carleton Stevens Coon |
| Anthropology and Modern life | Franz Boas |
| Anthropology and Contemporary Human Problem | John H. Bodley |
| Sindh and the Races that inhabit the Valley of the Indus | Richard Burton |
| The People of Pakistan | Yu. V. Gankorvsky |
| Anthropology and Development | Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan |
| An Introduction to Theory in Anthropology | Robert Layton |
| Anthropological Theory | John R. McGee and Richard L. Warms |
| Anthropology in Pakistan | Stephen Pastner and Louis Flam |
| Anthropology (13th edition) | Carol R. Ember, Melvin R Ember and Pet N Peregrine |
| Other Cultures | John Beattie |
| A Hand Book of Social Science Research | Bevelry R. Dixon, Gary D Bouma and G.B.J. Atiinson |
| Frontier Perspectives: Essays in Comparative Anthropology | Clarlies Lindholm |
| Generosity and Jealousy: The Swat Pukhtun of Northern Pakistan | Clarlies Lindholm |
| Friend by Day and Enemy by Night: Organized Vengeance in a Kohistani Community | Lincoin Keiser |
| A Punjabi Village in Pakistan | Zekiye Eglar |
| The social organization of the Marri Baluch | Robert Niel Pehrson |
| Introducing Anthropology | Park, MA 2007 |
| Peoples and Cultures of Asia | Scupin, R 2005 |
| Outlines and Highlights for Anthropology | Scupin, R and Decorse, CR 2010 |
| Economic Anthropology | Stuart plattner |
| Economies and Culture | Richard Wilk |
| Introduction to Anthropology of Religion | Brian Moris |
Preparation Strategy for Anthropology
Anthropology (100 marks) examines humanity's cultural and biological evolution. It is incredibly high scoring due to its concise syllabus.
1. Cultural Dynamics: Master concepts regarding kinship, marriage structures, economic systems of primitive societies, and religious magic.
2. Anthropological Theories: Memorize the core tenets of Evolutionism, Functionalism, and Structuralism. Know exactly which theorist corresponds to which idea.
3. Fieldwork and Modern Applications: Cite ethnographic examples, particularly concerning cultural shifts and globalization impacting traditional Pakistani micro-societies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Anthropology carry in the CSS Exam?
Anthropology is a 200-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Anthropology?
The syllabus primarily revolves around I. Anthropology, II. Social Anthropology, III. Urban Anthropology and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Anthropology a scoring subject?
Yes, Anthropology is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Anthropology?
For a 200-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 4 to 6 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Anthropology?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include William A Haviland and Onrad Philip Kottak. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Anthropology to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Anthropology from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Anthropology preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Anthropology is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Anthropology subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Anthropology overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Anthropology can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Anthropology?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.