Anthropology

Anthropology is an integral scientific discipline, the Science of Man, studying mankind from its origins until the present. In contrast to scientific disciplines which specially focus on a detailed study of particular areas of human life, anthropology concentrates primarily on the usually ignored connections between biological, social and cultural aspects of human nature. Anthropology regards these bio-socio-cultural interactions as the core for the unique human evolution, as the substance of groundbreaking turns in history and also as a chance for our kind to survive in the future. Anthropology studies the origins and mechanisms of the variations of human biological, social and cultural forms and their relationships in the process of adaptation of Man to the changing environment.

“Nature through culture.”

The mission of the study program of Anthropology is to prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of integral anthropology.

Anthropology Master's study program expands on the knowledge and skills of students from their preceding Bachelor's study program. It prepares specialists with broad awareness and understanding of anthropological theory topics. The objective of the program is primarily to complement students’ theoretical knowledge in synthesizing and comparative disciplines and to teach them how to apply specific computer-based methods of anthropology as well as current methods of on-site archeological research. Students of this program should gain insight into the concepts of human variation and adaptation/adaptability, evolutionary development, ethnical differences, sexuality and burial rites.

Graduates of the Master's study program of Anthropology are prepared for independent scientific work both in basic and applied anthropological research.They are capable of proposing, designing and performing their particular anthropological research applying modern methods.

Practical training

Practical training is an obligatory part of the curriculum in the extent of 2 weeks during the Anthropology Master's study programme. After completing (and/or being in the process of completing) their practical training assignments, students enroll in a required course Bi8910 On-site Training II during the spring semester in the 2nd year of their studies for which they receive credits. Tuition is centered on archeological excavations of skeletal burial grounds provided by the Department of Anthropology. There, under expert supervision, students acquire hands-on experience of the entire scientific research procedure - a preliminary prospection and localization of the site, excavations of skeletal remains and artifacts, their written, measured and photographic documentations, reconstruction and analysis of the uncovered remnants, interpretation of results and finally publishing them in a scientific journal/monograph/abstract. The final stages of the procedure are performed in the laboratory at the Department of Anthropology.

Master program students are trained in technologically and organizationally advanced techniques of site localization, working with a metal detector, on-site soil and bone sampling for purposes of subsequent scientific analyses, photogrammetric documentation of burial/grave complexes etc. At least one week of this on-site training is obligatory during the Master program study. The remaining practical training can be carried out at other selected archeological, ethnological and other specialized workplaces (museums, hospitals, Police of the Czech Republic departments, etc.) where anthropology-oriented activities take place. Such practical training allows students to establish professional contacts with potential employers. The relevance of the practical training to student's study programme is assessed by a guarantor. Students receive credits upon the course (Bi8910 On-site Training II). The certification of completion for the practical training (Bi6502 On-site Training II) with a credit value is based on the consensus of the subject teacher and the head of the research (and/or of the organization where the practical training took place) along with the confirmation of the extent and content of the training.

Further information

Web pages of the Department of Anthropology:

http://www.sci.muni.cz/anthrop/

Web pages of the the Laboratory of Morphology and Forensic Anthropology:

http://www.sci.muni.cz/lamorfa

Graduates of the Anthropology Master's study program at the Faculty of Science MU can find employment in academic institutions which focus on anthropology (the Czech Academy of Sciences, universities, health-care institutions, ergonomics laboratories, etc.,) in archeological institutions working as specialists in skeletal anthropology, in museums as curators of anthropological and other collections, at forensic and criminalistics departments as forensic anthropologists and human biology specialists and also in the civil service and state and government institutions as human biology experts. The most successful graduates of the Master's study program have a chance to follow their studies and research in a doctoral degree program.

Admission exam includes special test on the level of state final bachelor exams of programme Anthropology. List of topics is given on page: http://www.sci.muni.cz/anthrop/ This study field is possible to study only in Czech language.

Criteria for evaluation

Applicants will be accepted in sequence of their points from the admission test and according to capacity possibilities of study programme.

Recommended literature

Literature recommended for Bachelor State Exam in Antropology. References are listed at: http://www.sci.muni.cz/anthrop/

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Minimum score and numbers of accepted applicants in past years

The Master's program study of anthropology is based on thorough knowledge of human biology as well as socio-cultural evolution of humankind; the knowledge is tested in an admission exam. These requirements are best fulfilled by the graduates of the related/preceding Bachelor program study of Anthropology at the Faculty of Science, MU. The Master's program is also open to students from other study programs, they must also successfully pass an admission exam.

After completing the Master’s study programme, students can apply for admission into the Doctoral degree study of Anthropology at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk university.