AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology Syllabus: Complete Details

The AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology Syllabus covers important areas of biological anthropology, genetics, human biological variation, prehistoric cultures, economic anthropology, the ethnographic profile of North East India and ecology. The syllabus also includes practical work based on Prehistoric Lithic Studies and Field Study.

The subject carries 100 marks, including 70 marks for Theory and 30 marks for Practical, with an examination duration of 3 hours.

AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology Syllabus Overview

Particulars	Details
Class	XII
Subject	Anthropology
Theory Marks	70
Practical Marks	30
Total Marks	100
Time Duration	3 Hours
Total Periods	180
Official Notification	Click Here

AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology Unit-wise Syllabus

Unit	Topic	Marks
Unit I	Cell Biology	10
Unit II	Genetics	10
Unit III	Human Biological Variation and Concept of Race	05
Unit IV	Division of Prehistoric Cultures (Human Cultural Evolution)	15
Unit V	Concept of Economic Anthropology	10
Unit VI	Ethnographic Profile of North East India	10
Unit VII	Ecology	10
Practical	A) Prehistoric Lithic StudiesB) Field Study	30
Total		100

Also Read: AHSEC Class 11 Alternative English Syllabus: Complete Details

Chapter-wise Details

Unit I: Cell Biology

This unit covers the basic structure and functions of cells along with cell division and important biological concepts.

Main Topics

Cell Structure and Division
Mitosis
Meiosis
Concept of Chromosome
Concept of Gene
Concept of DNA
Enzymes
Types of Enzymes
Functions of Enzymes in the Human Body

Unit II: Genetics

This unit introduces the basic concepts of Human Genetics and inheritance.

Main Topics

Preliminary Knowledge of Human Genetics
Laws of Inheritance
Mendel’s Law
Monohybrid Ratio
Dihybrid Ratio
Genetic Disorders related to Autosomes and Sex Chromosomes
Down’s Syndrome / Trisomy 21
Klinefelter Syndrome
Turner’s Syndrome
Concept of Eugenics

Unit III: Human Biological Variation and Concept of Race

This unit deals with the concept of race and biological variation in humans.

Main Topics

Definition and Concept of Race
Biological Variation
Racial Criteria:
Hair Form
Face Form
Dermatoglyphics
Skin Colour
Eye Form
ABO Blood Group

Unit IV: Division of Prehistoric Cultures (Human Cultural Evolution)

This unit deals with prehistoric cultures, their development, tools and important cultural phases.

Main Topics

Development from Stone to Metal Ages
Concept of Tools
Stone Tools:
Core Tool
Flake Tool
Blade Tool
Microliths
Celt
Different Phases of Prehistoric Cultures
Geological Time
Tool-making Techniques
Typical Tool Types
Fossil Man
Palaeolithic Culture
Lower Palaeolithic
Middle Palaeolithic
Upper Palaeolithic
Mesolithic Culture
Azilian
Tardenoisian
Asturian
Maglemosian
Campignian
Kitchen Midden Culture
Neolithic Culture
Characteristics of Neolithic Period Culture
Comparative Study of Palaeolithic and Neolithic Culture

Unit V: Concept of Economic Anthropology

This unit introduces students to economic activities and subsistence systems in simple societies.

Main Topics

Material and Technological Characteristics of Simple Economic System
Subsistence Economy
Concept and Characteristics of Subsistence Economy
Gathering Economy:
Hunting
Collecting
Fishing
Food Producing Economy
Pastoralism
Cultivation:
Horticulture
Shifting Cultivation
Terrace Cultivation

Unit VI: Ethnographic Profile of North East India

This unit focuses on the land, people and tribal communities of North East India.

Main Topics

Brief Outline of the Land and People of North East India
Tribal Communities of Different States of North East India
Ethnographic Accounts

The syllabus includes the following tribes with reference to:

Location
Material Culture
Economic Life
Social Organization
Traditional Religion

Tribes:

The Garos
The Mishings
The Apatanis
Ao Nagas

Unit VII: Ecology

This unit introduces students to the relationship between humans and their environment.

Main Topics

Meaning and Definition of Environment
Meaning and Definition of Ecology
Physical or Abiotic Environment
Biological or Biotic Environment
Socio-cultural Environment
Man as the Main Agent in Disturbing Ecological Balance

Practical Syllabus

The Anthropology Practical carries 30 marks and consists of two major components: Prehistoric Lithic Studies and Field Study.

A. Prehistoric Lithic Studies — 15 Marks

Identification of Natural and Man-made Tools
Attributes of a Man-made Tool
Drawing of Tool:
Core Tool
Flake Tool

B. Field Study — 15 Marks

Use of Observation Method
Use of Survey Schedule
Interview Method
Collection of Demographic Data
Tabulation and Analysis of Collected Data
Preparation of Report
Map of the Village
Brief Description of the Village
Brief Description of the Community

Important Topics for AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology Preparation

Students should focus on:

Cell Structure and Cell Division
Mitosis and Meiosis
Chromosome, Gene and DNA
Enzymes
Human Genetics
Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance
Monohybrid and Dihybrid Ratio
Genetic Disorders
Race and Biological Variation
Racial Criteria
Prehistoric Cultures
Stone Tools
Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic Cultures
Economic Anthropology
Subsistence Economy
Tribes of North East India
Ecology and Environment
Prehistoric Lithic Studies
Field Study

Study Tips for AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology

Understand biological concepts such as cell division, genetics and inheritance clearly.
Practise the important ratios and concepts related to Mendel’s Laws.
Prepare the characteristics of Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic cultures carefully.
Learn the different types of prehistoric tools and their characteristics.
Prepare the ethnographic details of the Garos, Mishings, Apatanis and Ao Nagas systematically.
Revise the different types of environment and the concept of ecological balance.
Use diagrams wherever they help explain biological or prehistoric topics.
Give proper attention to practical preparation, especially tool identification and drawing.
For Field Study, understand the methods of observation, survey and interview and practise presenting collected data.

Conclusion

The AHSEC Class 12 Anthropology Syllabus provides students with knowledge of both biological and cultural aspects of human beings. The syllabus covers Cell Biology, Genetics, Human Biological Variation, Prehistoric Cultures, Economic Anthropology, Ethnographic Profile of North East India and Ecology.

Along with Theory, students must also prepare the 30-mark Practical component, which focuses on Prehistoric Lithic Studies and Field Study.