The aim of this study is to investigate the perspectives of pre-service social studies teachers on anthropology. The study uses exploratory case study method, which is one of the qualitative research designs, in order to investigate the views of 2nd grade university students before and after they take anthropology course in spring semester. Participants were selected through convenience sampling method. The sample of the study consists of 66 pre- service social studies teachers. Written opinion forms and visual evaluation forms were used as data collection tools. The collected data were analysed via descriptive and content analysis. The results of visuals show that views of participants are race and physics/biology oriented at the level of their prior knowledge. They indirectly form the relationship between anthropology and culture by relating anthropology to other branches of science. In general, the number of participants who relate pictures with anthropology is considerably high. The results obtained before the course through written opinion forms are similar with the results obtained through visuals. It is seen that the participants describe anthropology through physical anthropology especially with race-oriented answers. It is also seen that after the participants took anthropology course, their answers became culture oriented. However, data containing race-oriented answers also exist, though with a low frequency. Before and after the course, the participants develop relationships between anthropology and social sciences using the word ‘human’ in their statements frequently. They indicated that information presented by anthropology enriches their field knowledge and teaching processes. They also emphasized that anthropology course should be compulsory in undergraduate program because the contents of anthropology and social studies courses are similar.
Social studies, pre-service teacher, anthropology, perspective