catalog course descriptions
ANTH 101 Physical Anthropology 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 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 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
Presents 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.
ANTH 201 History and Theory in Anthropology
Investigation of scientific events in the
development of the basic concepts, theory, and methods of contemporary
anthropology.
ANTH 208 Introduction to World Prehistory Examines the last 2.5 million years of human prehistory using discoveries from archaeology and human paleontology. Topics include: history and theory, human origins, the world of the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, the beginning of farming and settlements, and the emergence of early civilizations. Major discoveries from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America are used to illustrate human adaptations to environmental change.
ANTH 216 Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
A 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.
ANTH 307 Indians of North America 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.
ANTH 312 Prehistory of North America (3-0-3)(F/S) A
survey of prehistoric archaeology and environments of North America.
Examines the evidence of prehistoric human
adaptation for different regions of the continent
during the Pleistocene and the Holocene.
ANTH 314 Environmental Anthropology
Examines the 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.
ANTH 325 Human Variation Human biological
variation both among and within living populations.
Evolutionary, genetic, ecological, demographic and
cultural factors which contribute to biological
variation.
ANTH 330 Osteology 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.
ANTH 400 Hunter-Gatherers A
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.
ANTH 401 Human Evolution and Paleoanthropology
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.
ANTH 402 Geoarchaeology
Examines the theories and methods of the earth
sciences to determine the location, age, and
composition of the archaeological record.
Emphasizes the application of the natural sciences
to study the human past by the study of sediments
and ancient environments.
ANTH 411 (LING 411) Language, Culture and Society (3-0-3)(S) (Alternate Years)
This course provides an introduction to the nature of the relationships among
language, culture, and society. Major topics explored are language and thought;
conversational theory; the ethnography of communication; language change; language
variation; speech communities; pidgins and creoles; diglossia; code switching
and mixing; and solidarity and politeness. Several languages are examined in specific
social and cultural contexts. LING 305 or a foreign language recommended. This course
may be taken for LING or ANTH credit, but not both.
ANTH 413 South American Culture History
This course provides a comprehensive review of the
prehistoric and ethnographic diversity of South
America. Emphasis is upon cultural diversity
and continuity in prehistory, the time of early
European contact and indigenous populations as known
from late 19th and 20th century ethnographic
studies.
ANTH 414 Quaternary Paleontology
Fundamentals 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.
ANTH 418 Ethnographic Methods
A survey of ethnographic literature, approaches to
ethnographic field work 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.
ANTH 419 Prehistory of Mexico
A survey of
pre-Columbian cultures of Central America, with an
emphasis on Mexico. Special focus on the
transition from Pre-Classic to Classic civilization,
with consideration of the Maya and Aztec.
ANTH 425 Medical Anthropology: Disease, Culture, and Healing
This course 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.
ANTH 430 Applied Anthropology An examination of the use of
anthropology to solve human problems. How applied anthropologists use the knowledge,
skills, and perspective of their discipline to help solve human problems and facilitate
change. The relationship between theory and application is stressed and the use
of anthropology in non-academic settings.
ANTH 480 Seminar in Anthropology Philosophical and theoretical
issues in anthropology. Developments in methodology and technical advances
in anthropological research. Seminar topics will vary.
ANTH 490 Archaeology Field School 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. PREREQ: PERM/INST. Special fee required for room and board.
ANTH 492 Senior Practicum - Portfolio A
capstone course designed to help seniors develop and
construct their senior portfolio. Included in
the course is the departmental "portfolio review."
(Graded) PREREQ: senior standing.
ANTH 496 Internship (Arranged) A limited number of internships
are available for academic credit for on-the-job
experience in an area of interest. Students may
apply up to 12 credits of internship toward
graduation requirements. Students
should consult with their advisor and contact the department Internship Coordinator,
Dr. John
Ziker. Internship
opportunities are available in the department office at the beginning of each
semester. The department will not approve internships beyond the first
two weeks of the semester.
ANTH 495 Senior Thesis The course is 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.
ANTH 496 Independent Study (Arranged)
Any department offering a
baccalaureate degree may offer independent study,
which allows the student to pursue a special
interest in an area not covered by a regularly
offered course. Independent study is designed to
complement the student's major and no more than 9
credits of independent study may be applied toward
the student's degree. Students should consult with
their advisor.
