Anthropology at La Trobe

Leaving high school, I had no idea what anthropology was - beyond a few episodes of Fox network’s Bones (2005). While it is a great show – seriously, you should watch it – it doesn’t represent what Anthropology in Australia (and most of the world) is actually about. Anthropology is often used as an umbrella term that includes the studies of cultural anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, and forensics. However, most academics, when referring to Anthropology, are referring to Cultural Anthropology.

It is the study of humans, culture, and why people do the things we do. It teaches understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of different people. I can’t tell you how many “oh?” moments I’ve had studying different cultures. The puzzle pieces that I didn’t even know were out of place started shifting into their correct cubbies.

The great thing about Cultural Anthropology is that it allows for travel as part of your career. Most anthropologists will have travelled and undertaken “participant observations” and ethnography – the scientific description and observation of people within their culture.  It usually involves living with and among locals- and getting a taste of the genuine authenticity of the community you’re in.

Its common among anthropologists (and those aspiring to be one), to think that teaching anthropology on a larger scale holds the potential to drastically reduce racism, sexism, and homophobia. Sure, maybe not sending everyone to be ethnographers, but teaching students in high schools about all the various ways of life from around the world. Being able to understand and empathise with someone is not a skill you are born with. It’s one you develop.

There are some incredible anthropology professors working at La Trobe, delivering incredible classes. For people who want a taste of the subject I’d recommend:

• ANT1CAG – Culture and Globalisation: Intro to Anthropology. Subject coordinator Dr Makiko Nishitani and support tutor Ms Susannah Ostojic are incredible at what they do. It’s the perfect subject for someone starting out at uni and is looking for some incredible class discussions.

For people with a little more knowledge in anthropology – or those who think this sounds interesting, I’d recommend:

• ANT3AWH – Anthropology of Witch Hunts. Subject coordinator Dr Nicholas Herriman teaches all about witchcraft - its modern and past presence in society. The subject caught my attention because it looks at witch hunts, magic, and sorcery beyond the well-versed Salem witch trials. Teaching the culture of magic in different places around the world.

The Anthropological Society at La Trobe is beginning to set its roots as a new club too! Look them up on Facebook if you want to hear more about them or just want to talk a bit about the human condition.

Maybe my high school just had a lapse in judgement – or my teachers forgot to mention anthropology as a real, genuine, career option.  Either way, I ended up at La Trobe studying something I didn’t even know existed until 2019. However, with the staff and budget cuts at La Trobe, I fear for the Anthropology department. Professors that haven’t taught in years are being called back to teach – away from their vital research – and with COVID-19 still ruling the world, this is my attempt at bringing Anthropology at La Trobe back to life.