This page lists brief descriptions of our anthropology course offerings. Links to recent course syllabi are provided in most cases.
General Education Attributes: N2=Natural Science, S2=Social Science, AH2=Humanities, HO2=Other World Civilizations, WS2=Writing Skills.
Click here for a schedule of future classes
ANTH 100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 s.h.)
Using a cross-cultural approach, this course provides an understanding of
human behaviors and beliefs, kinship systems, worldview, social organization,
and economic and political systems. Focusing on both cultural diversity and
universal values, this course provides an understanding of contemporary human
problems and needs, and stimulates concern about change and continuity in the
global society. No prerequisite.
(Click on names to see course syllabi for recent sections that have been offered by
Haley,
Han,
Hill,
and
Klink)
General Education Attribute: S2
ANTH 130 Introduction
to Biological Anthropology (3 s.h.)
An introduction to the study of human biological variation and evolution. Topics
include principles of human genetics, evolutionary theory, human genetic
diversity, human adaptation, primate biology and behavior, primate evolution,
and the fossil record of human evolution. No prerequisite.
General Education Attributes: N2
(Click on name to see course syllabi for recent sections that have been offered by Relethford)
ANTH 140
Introduction to Archaeology (3 s.h.)
An introduction to key archaeological issues, sites, and cultures around the
world. This course spans the time from the emergence of human beings to the
dawning of the modern era, with special attention to the development of
farming, urbanism, and social stratification in many societies. The course also
surveys methods archaeologists use to identify, excavate, analyze, and interpret
sites, and considers ethical issues of doing archaeology. No prerequisite.
General Education Attribute: S2
(Click on names to see course syllabi for recent sections that have been offered by Klink and Walker)
ANTH 201 North
American Indians (3 s.h.)
An ethnographic and ethnohistorical survey of the diverse Native American
societies and cultures north of Mesoamerica, illustrating historical and
contemporary cultural transformations as political, economic, and cultural
circumstances change. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: HO2
ANTH 202 Peoples
and Cultures of Africa (3 s.h.)
A survey of cultures and societies of Africa with emphasis on the range and
distribution of populations, language, and sociocultural systems south of the
Sahara. Historical and environmental perspectives supplemented by analyses of
selected sociocultural systems. Problems of nationhood and cross-cultural
research. Africanism in the New World. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: HO2
ANTH 203 Peoples
and Cultures of the Caribbean (3 s.h.)
A survey of the colonial and post-colonial Caribbean. The cultural diversity of
Caribbean societies if viewed as masking similar historical, economic, social,
and political processes. Spanish, English, and French Creole cultures are
examined in detail. Emphasis is on African cultural influences. Prerequisite:
Sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: HO2
ANTH 210
Anthropological Folklore (3 s.h.)
A global survey of culture that is learned orally or by imitation, with
emphasis on folklife (material folk culture), ritual belief, and oral
tradition. Emphasizes the anthropological concepts of holism (traditions as
aspects of the “way of life” of a people), functionalism (culture as a system of
interrelated parts), and symbolism. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or sophomore
standing.
General Education Attribute: S2
ANTH 211 Religion,
Magic, and Myth (3 s.h.)
A study of the anthropology of religion with special attention on the early
roots of religion, mythology, systems of magic, and science. Anthropological
theories of religion are applied to topics like shamanism, witchcraft, rites of
passage, the religious use of drugs, divination, and ancestor worship.
Emphasizes ethnographic studies of religion in small-scale societies.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: AH2
ANTH 212 Music of the
Caribbean (3 s.h.)
A survey of the music and social milieu of the Caribbean, African, British,
Spanish, and French influence in ritual and popular music (salsa, reggae, and
calypso) of a Creole society. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: AH2
ANTH 214
Psychological Anthropology (3 s.h.)
The history of the culture and personality movement will be outlined and
emphasis will then be placed on cultural universals and specifics.
Cross-cultural biobehavioral practices will be considered along with their
varied expression in specific cultural settings. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: S2
ANTH 217 Visual Anthropology (3 s.h.)
Examines human creative expression from the Paleolithic Period to modern day with examples in media such as the visual arts, architecture, sculpture, personal adornment, and film. Explores how cultural beliefs are manifested in these media and how artworks create and sustain a culture's belief systems, values and social relations. Enables students to recognize correlations between complexity of art styles and the nature of artworks in ancient, modern, Eastern and Western societies. Reveals that social context is an inextricable facet of creative expression which determines how artwork is circulated and received within individual cultures. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
ANTH
221 Anthropology of Sexes and Genders (3 s.h.)
Introduction to comparative, cross-cultural study of gender. Part One focuses
on the life cycle, including evolution and biological development, sexuality
and reproduction, parenting and bonding, and nutrition. Part Two views women
and men cross-culturally, comparing their roles and responsibilities in diverse
settings. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course.
ANTH 227 Cultural
Identities (3 s.h.)
This course examines the major forms of cultural identity—totemism, ethnicity,
race, and nationalism—from an anthropological perspective. We will examine how
people create, maintain, and use cultural identities; how context influences
the form and content of identities; and contemporary issues associated with the
ethnic relations of transnational migration, nationalist movements, and the
emergence of new postcolonial ethnic identities. The readings include theory
and ethnographic case studies. The course includes several writing assignments.
Prerequisite: ANTH 100
ANTH 228 Globalization &
Culture (3 s.h.)
Globalization refers to the growing interconnectedness of the world’s people
economically, politically, socially, and culturally through the spread of
mercantilism, capitalism, and the technologies and institutions that they have
produced. This course explores this important and ongoing phenomenon
ethnohistorically, ethnographically, and theoretically; introduces students to
the political economy perspective in anthropology; critically examines the idea
of bounded and independent cultures, societies, and nations; and illuminates the
processes and consequences of globalization for peoples in various circumstances
around the world. The readings include general overviews by anthropologists and
ethnographic case studies. The course includes several writing assignments.
Prerequisites: ANTH 100
ANTH 229 Critique of Civilization (3 s.h.)
This course explores the concept of civilization and its opposite, the
primitive or savage, from anthropology’s unique cross-cultural perspective. We
will examine how these paired concepts figure prominently in the origin and
development of anthropology, and how anthropology ultimately challenges the
validity of both. This intellectual history touches upon the ideologies and
social consequences of progressivism, romanticism, colonialism, neocolonialism,
environmentalism, indigenism, the New Age, neoconservativism, and traditionalist
social movements. The course is lecture based and includes several writing
assignments.
Prerequisites: ANTH 100, or 105, or 140
ANTH
230 Primate Behavior (3 s.h.)
An introduction to the study of nonhuman primate behavior, biology, and
ecology, with broad coverage from prosimians to apes. Topics include
classification, evolution, communication, social organization, and cognition.
Includes laboratory and field studies of selected species. Prerequisite: ANTH
100 or ANTH 130 or PSYC 100.
ANTH 232 Human Biology
and Culture Change (3 s.h.)
This course examines the biological impact of culture change in the human
species over the past 12,000 years, focusing primarily on changes in health and
disease and demography in foraging, agricultural, and industrial societies.
Topics include: principles of epidemiology, the ecology of disease, principles
of demography, health and demography of foraging societies, the transition to
agriculture, the rise of civilization and urbanism, culture contact, the
epidemiologic and demographic transitions of modern times, and contemporary and
future issues. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
ANTH 233 Genetics and Human History (3 s.h.)
This course examines the ways in which human genetic variation in the world today can be used to reconstruct the past history of human populations. The course is structured around a series of specific case studies of events in human evolutionary history, with particular emphasis on events that took place during the past 15,000 years. Topics include: ape-human ancestry, the origin of modern humans, the fate of the Neandertals, the origin of the first Americans, the origin of farming in Europe, the origin of the Polynesians, the genetic history of African Americans, the population history of the Jews, and the relationship between cultural identity, ancestry, and genetic variation. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
ANTH
236 Medical Anthropology (3 s.h.)
An introduction to issues in medical anthropology, exploring the interaction of
biology and culture in the production of health and illness. We will engage in
comparative study and consider the diversity of ideas and practices that
constitute health and illness across cultures and societies. The goal is to
understand health and illness as products of cultural and social practice. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or ANTH 130.
ANTH 238 Anthropology of Reproduction (3 s.h.)
This course examines women’s and men’s experiences of reproduction in anthropological perspective, including childbearing, childbirth, menarche, and menopause across cultures and societies. Emphasizes reproduction as a cultural and social experience. Prerequisite: ANTH 100.
ANTH 239 Human Origins and Evolution (3 s.h.)
This course provides a chronological history of human origins and evolution over the past six million years, with major emphasis on evolutionary trends as reflected in human biology, life cycle, and culture. Topics include: the divergence of ape and human lineages, the origin of bipedalism, dental evolutionary trends, the origins of culture and technology, the geographic dispersion of early humans, the origin of language, the origins of archaic and modern humans, the origin of art and symbolic behavior, and the rise of agriculture and civilization. Prerequisite: ANTH 130.
ANTH 244 Old World Archaeology (3 s.h.)
This course is a survey of human prehistory in the Old World (Africa, Asia, and Europe) from the beginnings of stone-tool culture in Africa 2.5 million years ago through the development of complex societies during the past 6,000 years. In particular, this course focuses on the relationships between prehistoric humans and their environments, the aspects of culture that distinguish each area, and the origins of and explanations for sedentism, food production, and complex society in the Old World. Prerequisite: ANTH 140.
ANTH
245 North American Archaeology (3 s.h.)
An examination of prehistoric and historic populations in North America.
Emphasizes description, analysis, and interpretation of regional cultural
sequences and systems from an archaeological perspective. Prerequisite: ANTH
140.
ANTH 251 Mesoamerican Archaeology (3 s.h.)
A survey of the prehistoric and early historic cultures of Mesoamerica, with particular focus on the first people in Mesoamerica, emerging agricultural traditions, and the civilizations of the Olmecs, Toltecs, Mayans, and Aztecs. Topics include the relationship between Mesoamerican past and present; cultural traditions; and the relationship of Mesoamerica to other cultures across the world. Prerequisite: ANTH 140.
General Education Attribute: HO2
ANTH 252 The Incas and Their Ancestors (3 s.h.)
Surveys the pre-Columbian history of the Andean region of South America, and investigates archaeological approaches to understanding that history. Outlines the development of Andean cultures from initial peopling of the continent to the fall of the Inca Empire at the time of European conquest. The Inca and several prehistoric cultures are examined in detail, such as Chavin, Moche, and Tiwanaku. Simultaneously explores select topical issues, such as human-environment interactions, plant and animal domestication, the emergence of inequality, gender, mummies and ancestor worship, art as communication, and the rise and collapse of states and empires. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or ANTH 140 and sophomore standing.
General Education Attribute: HO2
ANTH 294 Special Topics in Anthropology (3 s.h.)
Various topics in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, or
archaeology. Consult department or current schedule of classes for specific
offering. May be repeated for credit if different topics are offered.
Prerequisite: Varies with content of course. Some recent examples include
"Gender
and archaeology,"
"Belize
and the Mayan culture," "Cultural
Resource Management," "Exhibiting
Cultures in Museums," "Anthropology
of Reproduction," and "Understanding
Stone Tools."
ANTH 299 Independent Study in Anthropology (1–3 s.h.)
Individual study (reading and/or research related to any aspect of
Anthropology) under the sponsorship of a faculty member with conferences and written
report(s). Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and permission of
instructor.
ANTH 312 Exhibiting Cultures in Museums (3 s.h.)
What are some of the challenges that museum professionals face when creating
representations of other cultures? By studying several examples of exhibits in
various institutions students will gain appreciation for these challenges. In
this class, we will discuss theories, methodology and issues in representing
other cultures in a museum setting. Participants will be engaged in several
exercises that will prepare them for the eventual installation of their own
exhibit. Readings, film, and visits to local museums will also help students
organize for the culminating class project. This course will provide practical
experience to students interested in pursuing post-graduate education in museum
studies and/or a career in the field. Prerequisites: ANTH 100 or ANTH 130 or
ANTH 140.
General Education Attribute: WS2
ANTH 320 Language and Culture (3 s.h.)
An introduction to language as a cultural phenomenon, stressing its importance
as the means by which we transmit culture to others. Surveys the relationship
between linguistic and cultural processes including how language affects
thought, and how beliefs and values influence language; how languages grow and
change; the relationship between language evolution and human evolution; language
and social factors; and how the elements of language form coherent systems of
communication. Prerequisite: Junior Standing, ANTH 100 or PSYC 100 or
SOCL 100 or SPCH 100 or LING 150, and 3 s.h. 200-level
social science course.
ANTH
325 Applied
Anthropology (3 s.h.)
Explores the use of anthropology in application to solving human problems.
Traces the history of applied anthropology and teaches the process of applied
research and practive through one or more team projects. Course projects are
determined in advance by the instructor and are subject to change. Past projects
have addressed local development options, historic textile preservation and
interpretation, immigration policy debates, and cultural preservation policy
cases. Prerequisite: ANTH 100, ANTH 130, or
ANTH 140 and Sophomore standing.
ANTH 330
Paleoanthropology (3 s.h.)
A detailed examination of the fossil record of human evolution and the methods
of paleoanthropological research. The course covers evolutionary events from the
initial divergence of ape and human lines through the origin of anatomically
modern humans. Emphasis is on the analysis of morphology and phylogenetic
analysis. A substantial part of the course consists of examining, describing,
and analyzing fossil cast material. Prerequisite: ANTH 130.
General Education Attribute: WS2
ANTH 331 Human Skeletal Anatomy (3 s.h.)
This course is concerned with the study of the human skeleton (osteology) and
the physiological and cultural processes that operate upon it. Topics to be
covered include human skeletal anatomy, musculature, age and sex determination,
skeletal pathology and anomalies, and cultural modifications. Prerequisite:
Concentration in anthropology and/or biology, junior or senior standing. No
special costs. Prerequisite: ANTH 130 or BIOL 100 and Junior standing.
ANTH 332 Human Population Genetics (3 s.h.)
An introduction to the study of population genetics, the mathematical basis of evolutionary theory and its particular application to human populations. Topics include: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, mating systems, mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Case studies focus on human populations. Prerequisite: ANTH 130 or BIOL 212.
ANTH 333 Human
Biological Variation (3 s.h.)
A detailed examination of the data and methods used to analyze human biological
variation. Variation is examined in blood types, protein and enzyme
polymorphisms, DNA markers, anthropometrics, skin color, dental measures, and
dermatoglyphics. Variation is analyzed in relationship to sex, age, natural
selection, adaptation, and population history. A substantial part of the course
consists of in-class lab experience in the measurement of variation and the
application of analytic methods and their interpretation. Significant writing is required.
Prerequisite: ANTH 130.
General Education Attribute: WS2
ANTH 339 Field Course in Primate Behavior (6 s.h.)
This course provides students with an understanding of primate behavior and conservation in a field setting. It will be conducted at El Zota Biological Field Station in Costa Rica. Students will learn field techniques in primate behavior and ecology, and design and carry out their own independent research projects. Lecture topics will cover the behavior and ecology of Old and new World primates from an evolutionary perspective. Select lecture topics include primate sociality, feeding ecology, mating systems, and conservation. Enrollment is limited (25 students maximum) and additional costs apply. Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing, ANTH 130, and permission of instructor.
ANTH 341 Zooarchaeology (3 s.h.)
This course provides students with a
background in the methods of zooarchaeology, the analysis of animal remains from
archaeological sites used to reconstruct the interrelationships between people,
animals, and the environment. Both theoretical and methodological issues are
explored, with emphasis on the use of comparative vertebrate skeletal
collections in zooarchaeological research, specifically those animal species
commonly found in eastern North American prehistoric and historic archaeological
sites. Practical experience is a central focus of the course.
Prerequisite: ANTH 140
ANTH 342 Exploring Stone Tools (3 s.h.)
The analysis and interpretation of archaeological lithic (stone) artifacts. Teaches methods and techniques of analysis and identification of stone artifacts, and the use of lithics to investigate and understand the human past. Students will handle and analyze actual stone artifacts, hear lectures, and engage in reading and discussion.
Prerequisite: ANTH 140.
ANTH 343 Archaeological
Field and Laboratory Methods (3 s.h.)
This course introduces students to methods
archaeologists use to excavate, identify, preserve, analyze, and interpret
archaeological remains. The course integrates lectures with field trips and
laboratory analysis. Topics include: field survey methods; excavation methods;
and laboratory analysis of lithics, pottery, flora and fauna, and other
evidences of material culture. Emphasis is on using these materials to gain
greater insight into past cultures based on archaeological investigation. Time
outside of class will be needed for local field trips. Prerequisite:
ANTH 140.
ANTH 345 Field School in Archaeology (6 s.h.)
This course is a summer field program that introduces students to methods that archaeologists use to identify, excavate, record, and interpret archaeological sites. The emphasis is on providing students first-hand experience with methods of archaeological analysis in the field and preliminary artifact processing techniques. Course readings, lectures, and discussions complement this field program. Prerequisite: ANTH 140 or permission of instructor.
ANTH
355 Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology (3 s.h.)
Introduces practical skills and field methods used by anthropologists. Included
are problems of participant-observation; how to conduct an interview; design of
questionnaires and structured interviews; techniques of data analysis; still
photography and audio/visual recording; and proposal and report writing. Skills
valuable not just to those planning fieldwork, but also in many in the social
science professions. Students learn through participation in on-going faculty
research. Prerequisite: Concentration in social science, 12 s.h. in anthropology
or from any two social sciences, and permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: ANTH 100 and permission of instructor.
General Education Attribute: WS2
ANTH
390 Issues in Anthropology (3 s.h.)
What does it mean to be human? Are there human universals? How is behavior
fashioned by nature and nurture? Is a unified discipline of anthropology
possible? This seminar will assist students in answering basic questions about
the nature of the human experience by considering practical and theoretical
issues of interest to anthropologists and others. Students will discuss general
questions in cultural anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology,
as well as examine anthropological perspectives on current events. Guest
lectures, film, readings, and discussion will form the basis of the seminar.
Significant writing assignments are required. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior
standing and two of ANTH 100, ANTH 130, ANTH 140.
General Education Attribute: WS2
(Click on names to see course syllabi for recent sections that have been offered by
Haley,
Han,
Hill,
Relethford, and
Walker)
ANTH 393 History of Anthropological Thought (3 s.h.)
The history
and theory of anthropology from the eighteenth
century to the present. Focus on key concepts and ethnological theorists within
the broad framework of natural and social sciences. Prerequisite:
Junior or Senior standing and two of ANTH 100, ANTH 130, ANTH 140.
ANTH
395 Teaching Assistantship in Anthropology (3 s.h.)
Heightens the advanced student’s awareness of anthropology through preparation of
materials for teaching introductory courses. Student works directly under the instructor
of a selected course and is assigned special readings related to the teaching
of anthropology to undergraduates. Student required to attend all formal class
sessions and weekly meetings throughout the semester with the faculty
supervisor. Prerequisite: 18 s.h. of Anthropology and permission of
instructor.
ANTH
397 Internship in Anthropology (1–15 s.h.)
Internships are available in institutions, agencies, and facilities. See
department Chair for details. Prerequisite: Junior standing, 12 s.h. Anthropology,
and permission of instructor.