试论民族学的知识结构和应用领域

2008年的民族学人类学世界大会将在中国昆明举行。中国学界应该从现在开始启动强化训练程序。本文论述民族学的学科对象、学科方法论、学科地位及其在当前中国的应用领域,供有志于此的学界同行参考。本文指出,民族学作为改革者的科学,具有参与社会转型期文化重建的使命。在多民族统一的中国迈向全球化、实施西部开发和全面建设小康社会的背景下,民族学能从保护文化遗产、保护生态环境和维护弱势群体和少数民族权益等方面促进中国的长治久安和可持续发展,因而具有广阔的发展空间和重要的应用价值。政府应注重民族学的学科建设和应用,学界应注意民族学的人才培养和知识更新。

On the Content,Application Fields and Professional Training of Ethnology

The 16th World Conference of Ethnology and Anthropology is to be held in Kunming in 2008. China s academic circles should prepare for it from now on. This article elaborates the author's understanding of the target, methodology, disciplinary position and fields of ethnological application in China. It points out that ethnology as "reformers science" has great function to play in China,especially in the fields of preserving cultural diversity,protecting ecological system and advocating the rights interests of ethnic minority and other weak groups in front of the thrust of globalization,developing western China and building of affluent society. Therefore, it is necessary for the government to encourage its development and for the academic circles to innovate their knowledge and to foster young professionals.