Australian Anthropological Society
Encyclopedia
The Australian Anthropological Society (AAS) is the professional association representing anthropologists in Australia
.
as a discipline" There were, however, precursor anthropological associations in Australia. In 1956 an Australian Branch of the Association of Social Anthropologists of the British Commonwealth was formed. This was followed in 1969 by the Australian Association of Social Anthropologists. The current Australian Anthropological Society was formed in 1973 and incorporated under NSW legislation in that year.
, to promote its responsible use in the service of humankind, and to promote professional training and practice in anthropology
. AAS supports the development of the discipline in university departments and schools at graduate and post-graduate level. Through an annual conference, an academic journal
(The Australian Journal of Anthropology), a regular newsletter, an active listserv and online publications, the Society provides forums where anthropologists can engage in debates central to anthropological theory and practice.
of anthropology in Australia. An ordinary member of the Society is expected to hold an Honours degree in anthropology
or the equivalent. A fellow
is expected to hold a research higher degee in anthropology
, that is, a research masters degree or PhD, or the equivalent.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
History
The Australian Anthropological Society is a recently formed organization, founded in 1973 "to promote the advancement of anthropologyAnthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
as a discipline" There were, however, precursor anthropological associations in Australia. In 1956 an Australian Branch of the Association of Social Anthropologists of the British Commonwealth was formed. This was followed in 1969 by the Australian Association of Social Anthropologists. The current Australian Anthropological Society was formed in 1973 and incorporated under NSW legislation in that year.
Goal and Activities
The goals of the Society are to promote the advancement of anthropology as a professional discipline grounded in the systematic pursuit of knowledgeKnowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
, to promote its responsible use in the service of humankind, and to promote professional training and practice in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
. AAS supports the development of the discipline in university departments and schools at graduate and post-graduate level. Through an annual conference, an academic journal
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
(The Australian Journal of Anthropology), a regular newsletter, an active listserv and online publications, the Society provides forums where anthropologists can engage in debates central to anthropological theory and practice.
Membership
In 1987 the Society adoped a two-tiered level of membership, as part of a strategy to strengthen the professionalizationProfessionalization
Professionalization is the social process by which any trade or occupation transforms itself into a true "profession of the highest integrity and competence." This process tends to involve establishing acceptable qualifications, a professional body or association to oversee the conduct of members...
of anthropology in Australia. An ordinary member of the Society is expected to hold an Honours degree in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
or the equivalent. A fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
is expected to hold a research higher degee in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, that is, a research masters degree or PhD, or the equivalent.