CSS 2019 – Anthropology: Examiner’s Feedback and Student Guide​

Introduction

Anthropology is a relatively new CSS optional that quickly gained popularity because of its concise syllabus, relevance to Pakistan’s social issues, and scoring potential. However, the examiner’s report for CE-2019 revealed that while some candidates prepared it well, the majority lacked conceptual clarity and failed to apply anthropological knowledge to Pakistan’s context. Let’s break down the examiner’s insights, mistakes, and strategies to help future aspirants.

Examiner Feedback (2019)

The examiner observed:

• Performance was disappointing overall.
• Candidates showed weak conceptual understanding of anthropological theories and approaches.
• Many wrote generic social science essays instead of answering questions through an anthropological lens.
• Pakistan-specific application (tribal systems, kinship, cultural diversity, extremism) was largely missing.
• Language problems and disorganized answers further reduced marks.
• A few candidates who used theories, case studies, and Pakistan’s examples stood out and scored well【Examiner-Reports-CE-2019.pdf†L96-L103】.

Common Mistakes by Candidates

1. Superficial preparation
   • Many relied on academy notes instead of studying standard anthropology texts.
2. Weak grasp of theories
   • Candidates could not explain Functionalism, Structuralism, Cultural Materialism, or apply them.
3. No application to Pakistan
   • Very few connected concepts to tribal justice systems, family structures, or gender roles in Pakistan.
4. Writing sociology instead of anthropology
   • Answers read like general sociology papers, not focused on anthropology’s unique approach.
5. Poor presentation
   • Unclear outlines, weak headings, and poor English reduced effectiveness.

Practical Preparation Strategies

1. Master anthropological theories
   • Learn Functionalism (Malinowski), Structuralism (Lévi-Strauss), Symbolic Anthropology (Geertz), and Cultural Materialism (Marvin Harris).
2. Apply to Pakistan’s society
   • Use anthropology to analyze:
     • Tribal justice systems (Pashtunwali, Jirga)
     • Rural-urban migration
     • Gender inequality in traditional societies
     • Extremism and cultural resistance
3. Use case studies
   • Quote examples from Kalash tribes, Baloch kinship structures, Sindhi Sufi traditions, and global anthropology studies.
4. Structure answers effectively
   • Intro → theory → application → Pakistan’s case → conclusion.
5. Avoid sociology-style writing
   • Always answer from an anthropological perspective — focus on culture, kinship, rituals, symbols.
6. Use visuals where possible
   • Diagrams, cultural models, or kinship charts add clarity.
7. Read standard texts
   • Ember & Ember – Anthropology, Kottak – Cultural Anthropology, and supplementary articles on Pakistani culture.

Encouraging Closing Note

The CSS 2019 examiner’s report proves that Anthropology is not a shortcut subject. It rewards those who study theories seriously and apply them critically to Pakistan. Candidates who confused it with Sociology failed, while those who used theories, examples, and analysis excelled.

Remember: Anthropology is about understanding people, cultures, and change. If you show the examiner that you can analyze Pakistan’s society through an anthropological lens, you will stand out.

Stay motivated: every theory you master, every case study you apply, every cultural insight you develop takes you closer to success in this paper. With consistent effort, Anthropology can be one of your strongest scoring optionals.