About Course
Elevate your UPSC Anthropology preparation with our Apes and Culture Theories Special module. This course delves into the phylogenetic status, characteristics, and geographical distribution of key hominids, including Australopithecines, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, Rhodesian man, and Homo sapiens. Additionally, explore crucial paleoanthropological evidence from India, focusing on the Siwalik and Narmada basin.
The module also provides an in-depth analysis of major anthropological theories, from Classical Evolutionism and Historical Particularism to Functionalism, Structuralism, and beyond. Our expertly designed curriculum combines comprehensive lectures, detailed notes, and rigorous practice questions to ensure a robust understanding of these complex topics. Join us to master the nuances of apes and culture theories, and confidently tackle the most demanding sections of your UPSC Anthropology exam.
APES AND CULTURE THEORIES SPECIAL MODULE SYLLABUS
Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following
- Plio-Pliestocene hominids in south and east Africa- Australopithecines.
- Homo erectus: Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis)
- Neanderthal Man- La-Chapelle-aux-saints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type)
- Rhodesian man
- Homo sapiens Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelede
- Palaeo anthropological pieces of evidence from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).
- Anthropological Theories
- Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan and Frazer)
- Historical particularism (Boas); Diffusionism (British, German and American)
- Functionalism (Malinowski); Structural- functionalism (Radcliffe-Brown)
- Structuralism ( Levi Strauss and E. Leach)
- Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner and Cora du Bois).
- Neo-evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins and Service)
- Cultural materialism (Harris)
- Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider and Geertz)
- Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)
- Post- modernism in anthropology