Anthropology Syllabus for Bangladesh Civil Services (BCS – Written)

The Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination is a highly competitive and prestigious examination in Bangladesh, conducted by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) to recruit officers for various civil service cadres in the government. It is a key mechanism for entry into the administrative structure of the Bangladeshi government, attracting thousands of candidates each year. Studying anthropology for the Bangladesh Civil Services examination is a thoughtful choice, as anthropology covers various aspects of human societies, cultures, and their development, which can be quite relevant for a career in civil services.

Part-I (100 Marks)

1. Meaning and Definition of Anthropology
   Definition of Anthropology. Anthropology and its relation with other social science.
2. Schools of Anthropology
   Historical Development of Anthropology. Schools-Evolutionism, Diffusions, Frustrations, structuralism, and structural functionalism.
3. Anthropological Research Methods
   Participant Observation, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, Case study and oral history.
4. Kinship, family and Marriage
   Kinship-Definition, Classification and types. Role and Function of family. Marriage-definition, type, incest and Taboo.
5. Religion
   Religion-Definition, evolution, theories, Role and Function of religion. Magic and Science.
6. Social Change
   Change, Evolution and Development, Theories of Social change, Factors of social change.
7. Political Organization
   Meaning and definition, Type, Structure, Power and Leadership in small communities.
8. Economic Organization
   Meaning and definition, ownership and inheritance, Division of labour, tools and Technology, trade and market system, Exchange, reciprocity and redistribution.
9. Archaeology
   Archaeology and prehistory, Major Archaeological discoveries, Archaeological sites in Bangladesh.
10. Anthropology and Bangladesh society, culture, importance of Anthropological studies in Bangladesh. Major Anthropological works in Bangladesh scope of Anthropological researches in Bangladesh.

Part-II (100 Marks)

1. Anthropology in the present world: Understanding the colonialism. Role of Anthropologists in developed and developing countries.
2. Prehistory and Early Civilizations: Pre-history-Stone age, copper age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Early
   Civilizations – Egyptian, Babylonian, Indus, Chinese, Greek and Roman.
3. Technique of production and social change: Primitive communism, slavery, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and Asiatic mode of production.
4. Races and Human Variation: Definition and problems, biological and social perspective, myths and conflicts, Ethnology and Bengali population.
5. Ethnic Minorities in Bangladesh: Ethnic Minorities – Definition, Number of groups and distribution, characteristics, origin, culture, transformation and mainstreaming.
6. Poverty and Poverty Alleviation: Poverty Definition and measurement, urban and rural poverty, poverty alleviation – approaches of government and non-government agencies in Bangladesh.
7. Environment and Sustainability: Environment – Definition, Ecosystem and major Ecosystem of Bangladesh, Critical Environmental issues and concerns, sustainable environmental programmes and projects in Bangladesh.
8. Urban Society and Culture: Definition, Urbanization and Urbanism, growth of urban centres, urban problems in Bangladesh.
9. Development Anthropology and Bangladesh: Importance of Development Anthropology and Bangladesh, Scope of Research, Policy and Planning Role, Prospect of Development Anthropology in Bangladesh.

The BCS exam is known for its rigor and high standards, and it plays a crucial role in selecting competent individuals for the administration of Bangladesh. The process is highly competitive due to the prestigious nature of the positions and the limited number of vacancies relative to the number of applicants. Remember, the goal of studying anthropology for civil services is not just to pass the exam but to gain a deep understanding of the diverse social fabrics and cultural dynamics of Bangladesh, which is essential for effective governance and public service.