Anthropology is the study of human beings and their culture. It is an important branch of social sciences through academic and applied practices. The department started its academic curriculum under the Faculty of Social Sciences since December 05, 1992. Being started with a limited number of faculties, the class of first batch began from the month of January 1993 (session 1992-1993). The department has already stepped to its 28th year of establishment. Now, it has 19 Full time, 01 Honorary and 03 Part time teachers. Presently, Professor Dr. Farhana Begum is the Chairperson of the department. The department has the facilities of classroom, seminar library, computer lab and Internet for the students. Department is offering BSS (Hons.), MSS, M. Phil and Ph.D courses for the students. Since 1992, more than one thousand students have received Bachelor of Social Science and Master of Social Science degrees. During the same period, more than 25 students were awarded PhD and MPhil degrees. The University of Dhaka has now one of the oldest and most successful undergraduate and postgraduate Anthropology programs and there is growing interest among students in taking up anthropology as the subject of study.
Since its inception, the Department of Anthropology has sought to achieve the highest possible distinction for teaching and scholarly research and has accomplished this by extending boundaries of knowledge in both traditional and new fields in the social sciences. We promote the highest academic standards in our teaching, our scholarship, and the connections we build between them. Synchronized with our institution’s rich heritage, the Department is committed to produce the country’s leader in all facets, from classroom instruction to national policy setting. Our values-based commitment is to create an optimal learning environment for all students from all over the country and help expand the horizons of knowledge and culture among students, colleagues, and the general citizenry. We devote all of our resources and energies to developing strong mission-driven programs of scholarship (research and creative activities) in the acquisition, synthesis, dissemination, and creation of new research knowledge, coupled with the application of knowledge, and the invigoration of undergraduate and graduate education.
Recently, classroom, seminar and office rooms were renovated. In 2019, two research projects (1) “Biocultural Resources and Climate Change: Assessing the Vulnerability and Resilience of Small Ethnic Communities in Bangladesh (BRCC)” and (2) “Need Assessment in Education for the Children with Autism” were carried out at the department. The department has organized an international conference “Changing Material Culture in South Asia”. Anthropology department regularly organizes “Society and Culture Lecture Series”. The department has also some regular extra curriculum activities through visual anthropology club, debating club and study circle.
