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.

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.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• have good awareness and knowledge in the fields synthesizing biological and sociocultural aspects of Man during evolution and the present time
• have good knowledge of human variation in physical features and behavior and to be able to explain their association with evolutionary processes;
• to know the biological and cultural inter-population diversity of human ethnical groups and to be able to explain their geographical distribution, adaptive strategies, similarities and differences;
• apply modern analytical assessment methods of human morphology, especially skeletal remains in the archaeological and forensic context;
• propose, design and perform a regular anthropological research, statistically evaluate the results and interpret them in the context of anthropological theories

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.

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.

The Master's theses concern with topics which are assigned or authorized by the Department of Anthropology. Students enroll for their theses in the first semester of their studies. Formal rules for the Master's thesis follow the Dean’s Statement nr. 5/2014 (http://www.sci.muni.cz/NW/predpisy/od/OD-2014-05.pdf).

The thesis is supervised by a member of the academic staff of the Department of Anthropology. External experts also can serve as thesis supervisors and come from different associated institutions, such as universities, museums, and the Czech Academy of Sciences.

The thesis should, foremost, demonstrate the student's should ability to correctly research and utilize scientific literature - to search, analyze and interpret relevant information; also, the ability to design anthropological research, practical skills necessary to carry out such research, to interpret the results and present them adequately to the scientific community should also be demonstrated.

The thesis defense takes place at the end of the fourth semester in front of and expert panel. The applicant presents the background and goals, procedures and main results of the theses. The opponent and supervisor give their statements regarding both the theoretical and practical part of the thesis. The student's presentation and replies to the queries of the opponent and the panel members during the following discussion should prove the student's theoretical knowledge and overall familiarity with the particular topis as well as practical skills in the procedural and organizational part of anthropological research.

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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.