ANTH – Anthropology
Course Offerings
Lower Divison | Upper Divison | Graduate
Lower Division
ANTH 101 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3). Introduction to the fossil evidence for human evolution, genetics, modern human variation, the study of living primates, and the relationship between biology and culture.
ANTH 102 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3). Introduction to the descriptions, analysis, and explanations of the different ways of life, or cultures, through which human groups have adapted to their environments. Explanation of the nature and characteristic of culture as an adaptive mechanism for human survival.
ANTH 103 INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S)(DLN). Introduction to the historic background and basic techniques of anthropological archaeology. Methods and theory used to reconstruct prehistoric cultures, their environmental settings, activities, and histories.
ANTH 200 KINSHIP, SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND NETWORKS (3-0-3)(F/S). Anthropological approaches to the study of human kinship, marriage, and family and discusses the relevance of these topics to broader issues in social organization. Topics may include sexual relationships, reproduction, incest, marriage, family, inheritance, and forms of cooperation in a range of societies. PREREQ: ANTH 102 or PERM/INST.
ANTH 201 HISTORY AND THEORY IN ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Investigation of scientific events in the development of the basic concepts, theory, and methods of contemporary anthropology. PREREQ: ANTH 102 and ANTH 103, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 208 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD PREHISTORY (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines 2.5 million years of human prehistory using discoveries from archaeology and human paleontology. Topics include: history and theory; human origins; the world of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons; beginning of farming and settlements; and emergence of early civilizations. Major discoveries from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America illustrate human adaptations to environmental change.
ANTH 216 MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT AND RELIGION (3-0-3)(F/S). Comparative survey of beliefs, ceremonies, and ritual in a range of societies. Religious practices, syncretism, shamanism, and revitalization movements are discussed in terms of origins, elements, forms, and symbolism.
Upper Division
ANTH 307 INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA (3-0-3)(F/S). An ethnographic survey of the native peoples of North America, emphasizing cultural diversity and adaptation. Ethnographic data will cover the time span from the settling of North America to the present. PREREQ: ANTH 102 or PERM/INST.
ANTH 312 PREHISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA (3-0-3)(F/S). Survey of prehistoric archaeology and environments of North America. Examines evidence of prehistoric human adaptation for different regions of the continent during the Pleistocene and the Holocene. PREREQ: ANTH 103, ANTH 200, and ANTH 201, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 314 ENVIRONMENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S)(CID). Examines issues of conservation and natural resource management in small-scale and industrial societies. Strategies for resolving collective action problems on the local, regional, and global levels are discussed, as well as cases of conflicts of interest and paths of resolution between conservationists, indigenous peoples, and national governments. PREREQ: ANTH 102, ANTH 200, and ANTH 201, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 320 LATIN AMERICAN PREHISTORY (3-0-3)(F/S). Overview of the Pre-Columbian cultures of Central and South America. Special emphasis is upon Archaic to Formative transitions in Mexico and Peru with discussion of Toltec, Aztec, Mayan, and Inca cultures. PREREQ: ANTH 103 or PERM/INST.
ANTH 325 HUMAN VARIATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Human biological variation both among and within living populations. Evolutionary, genetic, ecological, demographic and cultural factors which contribute to biological variation. PREREQ: ANTH 101, ANTH 200, and ANTH 201, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 330 OSTEOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Fundamentals of skeletal analysis applicable to bioarchaeological, paleontological and forensic context. Determination of age, sex, stature, population affinity as well as identification of bone trauma and pathological conditions will be addressed. PREREQ: ANTH 101 or PERM/INST.
ANTH 400 HUNTER-GATHERERS (3-0-3)(F/S). Survey of prehistoric and existing peoples who live primarily by hunting and gathering. Examines techniques and patterns of subsistence, population dynamics, settlement patterns and land use, ideology, and perceptions of nature. PREREQ: ANTH 102 or ANTH 103, ANTH 200, and ANTH 201, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 401 HUMAN EVOLUTION AND PALEOANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Explores human origins by reviewing the biological and behavioral aspects of primate adaptations. Applied evidence from the fossil and archaeological record to evaluate interpretations of human and primate evolution. PREREQ: ANTH 101, ANTH 200, and ANTH 201, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 402 GEOARCHEOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines theories and methods of the earth sciences to determine the location, age, and composition of the archaeological record. Emphasizes application of the natural sciences to study the human past by the study of sediments and ancient environments. PREREQ: ANTH 103, upper-division standing and PERM/INST.
ANTH 414 QUATERNARY PALEONTOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Fundamental of paleoecology and taphonomy applied to the study of Pleistocene and Holocene paleobiology. Primary focus on animal adaptation, evolution, and extinction, plant and animal connections to environmental and climate change and human prehistory, and identification and measurements of biotic materials. PREREQ: ANTH 103, upper-division standing and PERM/INST.
ANTH 418 ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS (3-0-3)(F/S). A survey of ethnographic literature, approaches to ethnographic fieldwork and data gathering, creating field records through participant – observation and interviewing, sampling and mixing formal with informal methods, hypothesis development and testing, and experimenting with various approaches to ethnographic description. PREREQ: ANTH 102 or PERM/INST.
ANTH 425 MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY: DISEASE, CULTURE AND HEALING (3-0-3)(F/S). Introduces the student to the dynamic relationship that exists between health and culture. Topics include epidemiology, medical ecology, nutrition, ethnomedicine, the social meaning of illness, medical and cultural change, and alternative health models. Emphasis will be on a cross-cultural approach. Ethnographic data will be provided from cultures around the world. PREREQ: ANTH 102, ANTH 200, and ANTH 201, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 444 FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Provides students with intensive practical knowledge of methods, procedures and theories of forensic anthropologists through lectures, labs, and field exercises. Culminates in analysis and presentation of written case report. PREREQ: ANTH 101, or PERM/INST.
ANTH 480 SEMINAR IN ANTHROPOLOGY (3-0-3)(F/S). Philosophical and theoretical issues in anthropology. Developments in methodology and technical advances in anthropology research. Seminar topics will vary. PREREQ: ANTH 102 or PERM/INST.
ANTH 490 ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL (1-20-6)(SU). Six weeks on-site field training in the archaeological techniques of site reconnaissance and excavation. Focus will be placed on the observation, recording, and recovery of field data. Instruction includes preliminary laboratory processing and artifact analysis. Special fee required for room and board. PREREQ: ANTH 103 and PERM/INST.
ANTH 492 SENIOR PRACTICUM-PORTFOLIO (1-0-1)(F)(FF). A capstone course designed to help seniors develop and construct their senior portfolio. Included in the course is the departmental “portfolio review.” PREREQ: senior standing.
ANTH 495 SENIOR THESIS (0-6-3)(F/S). Designed to provide the student an opportunity to write a formal research paper drawing on primary sources and appropriate secondary materials. A research proposal will be submitted to a supervising faculty member and approved by the chair during the semester prior to initiation of the project. The research paper will be read by two faculty members. Recommended for students planning graduate studies.