Department of Anthropology

ANTH 130

Introduction to Anthropology

Designed to study humanity from the broadest perspective in the social sciences. Through an introduction to basic concepts in cultural/social anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology and linguistics, students gain an appreciation of human evolutionary history, modern cultural diversity and the elements of social life for all humans share.

ANTH 200

Human Origins

There are serious problems involved in any attempt to pigeonhole humanity into discrete categories based on physical traits. Yet it is clear that biological differences do exist among peoples of the world. This course focuses on why there is variation in specific biological traits and how this variation becomes grist for the mill in the cultural construction of race. Prerequisites: ANTH 130

This course uses the anthropological approach to study schools and to understand the relationship between learning, teaching, schooling and culture. Through field-based projects, students will apply the anthropological perspective to explore their own interests in education and to gain a first-hand understanding of the challenges and rewards of teaching in contemporary schools.

ANTH 210

Archaeology

Introduces students to the scientific study of extinct societies. Research design, site survey and excavation, data recording and interpretation, artifact identification and treatment and cultural resource management are among the topics covered.
Prerequisite: ANTH 130

ANTH 230

Understanding Cultures

This course explores the nature of culture and the various ways in which anthropologists study, understand and explain cultural phenomena. Students will gain familiarity with diverse cultural theories and methods by examining anthropological literature on selected topics and conducting brief ethnographic and comparative projects.  Prerequisite: ANTH130 (Formerly ANTH 353)

ANTH 240

Word Play: Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology

Words are at the center of the human experience. This course focuses on the uniquely human capacity to use language. Students will explore topics including the evolutionary roots of language, the historical development and diffusion of languages past and present, as well as the diverse and universal elements of language structure. Emphasis will be on an ethnographically oriented study of language as a social phenomenon and the fundamental relationship that exists between language, society, thought and culture. Prerequisite: ANTH 130

This course is designed as an introduction to everyday life and popular culture in South Asia. The course examines key anthropological concepts and debates from South Asian material to inquire into the nature of modernity. Some of the themes that will be addressed include changing institutions of family and kinship, castes and communities, urban spaces and global cities, religions in practice, the media revolution and youth, and challenges to modernity emerging from the violence of development, gender/sexuality, caste, globalization, and communalism.
Pre-requisite: ANTH 130 or ASN 201 or ASN 280

ANTH 304

Prehistory of the Far East

ANTH 308

Native North Americans

This course introduces indigenous North American peoples, including peoples called Indians, as well as Inuits (Eskimos) and Aleuts from their origins to the present day. Students examine archaeological, ethnohistorical, ethnographic and historical data to study cultural processes and changes over time. Topics covered also include inter-ethnic and interracial issues in the United States and Canada. (Formerly ANTH 408)

ANTH 314

Old World Prehistory

There is almost no part of the world or period of its history that is not a subject of vigorous and sophisticated investigation by archaeologists. This course surveys the origins and development of human society. The world prehistory is best understood as the history of contacts between peoples previously isolated from one another. The course provides an account of prehistoric life and the roots of modern societies and empires. It offers to the student an understanding of the evolution of humans and the cultures they established, from the first traces of humanity to the creation of early literate societies. The major topics covered include the evolution of tool making, the development of religion, the origins of language, the importance of agriculture, the beginning of warfare, and the creation of hierarchical societies and hereditary ranking.

ANTH 320

African Archaeology

The course introduces students to Africa and its prehistoric and historic past. It acquaints students with the indigenous mythological, linguistic, oral, and modern scientific linkage between the continent and the rest of the world. Students explore the centers of human physical and cultural evolution in East and South Africa, as well as classic civilizations and permanent settlements from the Nile Delta in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south. Archeological evidence documenting slave trade with the Middle East is also explored from historical and multicultural perspectives. (Formerly ANTH 220)

ANTH 330

Anthropology of Tourism

A cross-cultural, transactional view of tourism as involving an encounter between tourist-generating and host societies that may be perceived as a process or a system. Imageries of pleasure travel as it reflects a symbolic world will be examined. The focus will be upon the changes wrought upon the host societies and the sociopolitical and cultural consequences of tourism.

ANTH 340

Applied Anthropology

What can anthropologists offer to the solution of contemporary human problems? What practical contributions can their theories, methods and insights make to the world? This course explores avenues traditionally sought by anthropologists to apply their knowledge to complex and diverse social situations, debates the consequences of such involvement and ethical dilemmas they face. The course seeks to prepare students for a wide range of career applications and creates awareness of opportunities for policy-oriented research, program evaluation, cultural brokerage, and advocacy.

ANTH 341

Law in Society and Culture

This course examines mechanisms societies have developed to resolve disputes. Comparing American society to other industrial and pre-industrial societies, law and political organizations are shown to have cultural ways of coping with conflict strongly linked to variations in subsistence, economy and social stratification.

ANTH 342

The Ethnology of East Asia: China and Japan

Examines the development of Chinese and Japanese cultures through the study of marriage, the family, village life, economic organization and religion. Modernization, industrialization and cultural change are also explored.

ANTH 350

Shamans, Witches and Magic

A course in comparative religion focusing on shamanism and non-western belief systems. (Formerly ANTH 450)

ANTH 351

Visual Anthropology

Visual Anthropology examines image, behavior and society in a holistic context. The course discusses how knowledge and beliefs influence human perceptions and behaviors and examines various forms of visual expression in a global context and from pre-historic to modern times. (Formerly ANTH 250)

ANTH 352

Biological Bases of Human Behavior

Behavior is an evolved biological phenomenon, and the primary goal of this course is to understand why humans behave as they do from the perspective of evolutionary psychology and the human fossil record. The course will explore questions regarding social behavior by employing principles such as natural selection, kinship, parent offspring conflict, parental investment, sexual selection, culture, language cooperation, and deception. (Formerly ANTH 252)

ANTH 354

Forensic Osteology

This course is designed to present the application of physical anthropology to forensic science. Physical anthropologists are uniquely trained to appreciate human biological variation, particularly skeletal variation, and it is the often subtle differences between individuals that allows forensic osteologists to perform their task of identifying unknown remains in a legal context. The material covered in this course should be of interest not only to students enrolled in anthropology (including archeology), but also to students and professionals in sociology/criminal justice, the biological sciences, nursing or any other field in which knowledge of skeletal biology may be required.

ANTH 356

Urban Anthropology

This course examines from a cross-cultural perspective the ecological and social changes that occur from urban growth

ANTH 357

Kinship

Kin groups ranging from several to thousands of people serve important economic, social, political, and religious functions in every society. Different types of marriage and family systems will be compared in a global and evolutionary context.

ANTH 358

Sex and Culture

Examines human sexuality and gender in cross-cultural perspective.
(Formerly ANTH 257)

ANTH 359

Cultural Change in Latin America

The origin and development of processes of cultural change in Latin America. Gives the student an opportunity to learn about the cultural institutions of highly developed indigenous cultures and their influences upon present day Latin American cultures. Examines current writings on Latin America that deal with social change and helps the student develop scientific objectivity (an anthropological prerequisite) in the analysis of the social problems resulting from change. Particularly useful for international management majors.

ANTH 360

Myth and Folklore and the Modern World

Examines myths as providers of introspective patterns of moral values, social order, customs and religious beliefs. Traditional folklore (stories, riddles, songs) and modern folklore (mass media, urban cultures) are examined. (Formerly ANTH 260)

ANTH 399

Selected Topics

A topic not covered by an existing course is offered as recommended by the department and approved by the dean. Prerequisite: Permission of the chair.

ANTH 401

Ethnographic Methods

Anthropology is a relatively new science developed within the last one hundred and fifty years. This course examines major theories in anthropology in an historical context. It also instructs the student in ethnomethodology -- basic techniques for collecting ethnographic data. Prerequisite: ANTH230 (Formerly ANTH 301)

ANTH 420

Archaeology of North America

This course surveys the prehistoric and historic archaeology of North America from the earliest human occupations to the end of the 19 th century. From the big game hunters of the late Pleistocene to the corn farming chiefdoms visited by De Soto’s expedition, to the settlements of Europeans, to the enslaved peoples of the African diaspora, this course traces the development of diverse cultures through the study and interpretation of their material remains. Pre-requisite: ANTH210 or permission of instructor

ANTH 421

Applied Archaeology: Cultural resource Management

The course is designed to prepare the student to practice Section 106-mandated archaeology, known as contract archaeology or CRM (Cultural Resource Management). It will familiarize the student with applied archaeology; bidding and structuring a budget; sample design, survey, time management, documentary research, and the environmental laws related to prehistoric and historic cultural resources. The course will emphasize the practical aspect of conducting archaeological investigations and help prepare students for employment as professional archaeologists outside the academy. Pre-requisite: ANTH210 or permission of instructor

ANTH 425

Paleoanthropology

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the evolution of the human family, the Hominidae. Geological, paleontological, genetic and archeological evidence from primary & secondary literature will be critically assessed. Major topics include the appearance of the earliest hominids, distinguishing the most primitive members of genus Homo, discussing technological changes and their possible implications for early hominid behavior, and an evaluation of competing theories that address the origin of Homo sapiens. Pre-requisite: ANTH 130 or 200 or 254, or permission of the instructor.

ANTH 454

Primate Biology and Behavior

This course will focus on our closest mammalian relatives, the order Primates. The order Primates includes two suborders: Prosimians (tarsiers, lemurs, lorises); and Anthropoids (Old World and New World Monkeys, Apes and Humans). Study will involve evolutionary history of each suborder in the succession leading to and including humans. Focuses on anatomical changes (as identified in fossils) but also concentrate on understanding the behavioral changes that primates have undergone. Commensurate with the above, we will also consider the dynamic medium in which this bio-behavioral evolution has occurred - the paleoenvironment, survey the living primates and the diversity that exists in their modern complex behavior. (Formerly ANTH 254)

ANTH 490

Anthropology Senior Seminar

This course helps students acquire core professional competencies that facilitate pursuing diverse career paths. It provides students with the tools and resources needed to apply for admission to graduate programs and employment in profit or non-profit (grant-seeking) agencies. The course will foster critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and research expertise while building upon knowledge acquired in other upper-level anthropology courses. It will nurture intellectual autonomy, as well as a deeper sense of social commitment and ethical conscience. Pre-requisite: At least one 400 level course in Anthropology.

ANTH 491

Internship

This course provides qualified students practical work experience in an applied sociology or anthropology setting. Periodic conferences and a monthly seminar are an integral part of this program. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor required. 3 - 6 credits

ANTH 499

Independent Study

As approved and to be arranged. 1 - 6 credits