Anthropology
Course Catalog
Note: the 200-level introductory courses in Anthropology may be taken in any
order.
ANTH 199 Special Studies (4)
TBA each term; see Schedule of Classes for more details.
ANTH 213 Language and Culture (4)
Introduces students to the anthropological study of language and communicative
behavior. Examines the basic concepts underlying linguistic analysis and reviews
anthropological studies of conversational practice and social variation in language
and speech. Its central concern is to elucidate the complex interplay between
language, culture and social relations. Part of introductory sequence (ANTH
213, 214, 215 and 216) which may be taken in any order.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's
sections
Syllabus
for Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 214 Physical Anthropology (4)
Biological aspects of the human experience, especially interactions between biology and culture. A review of the modern synthetic theory of evolution; fossil evidence of early primate and hominid populations; the mechanisms of heredity, human variation and adaptation; and the development of culture in human evolution. Attention throughout the course to the nature of science as a cultural construct. Part of introductory sequence (ANTH 213, 214, 215 and 216) which may be taken in any order.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin Smith's section
Syllabus for Prof. Jordan
Hofer's sections
ANTH 215 Archaeology (4)
Understanding the human past through the study of material remains. A review
of the methods used to collect and analyze data and the theories used to construct
chronologies, reconstruct ancient life styles and explain the processes of cultural
evolution. Examines some of the major contributions of archaeology and discusses
the relevance of archaeology to everyday life. Part of introductory sequence
(ANTH 213, 214, 215 and 216) which may be taken in any order.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin Smith's
sections
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's
sections
Syllabus for Prof. Misty
Weitzel's sections
ANTH 216 Cultural Anthropology (4)
Examines the concepts and methodology of cultural anthropology through ethnographic
case studies of people around the world. Focuses on culture, or the learned
beliefs, behaviors, and symbols unique to each society. Part of introductory
sequence (ANTH 213, 214, 215 and 216) which may be taken in any order.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's
sections
Syllabus for Prof. Robin
Smith's sections
Syllabus for Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 310 World Prehistory (4)
A survey of human cultural evolution worldwide over the last four million years up to the beginnings of written records. Examines archaeological evidence for the invention of language and art, the evolution of technology, the peopling of the New World, the invention of agriculture, and the origins of cities.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin Smith's
sections
ANTH 311 Human Evolution (4)
The genetic basis of human evolution, human variation and modern human adaptive differences; the biological basis of human culture and the impact of culture on human biology. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 214.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin Smith's
sections
ANTH 313 North American Prehistory (4)
A survey of the prehistory of the North American continent from the first peopling of the Western Hemisphere through the beginnings of regionalization, the origins of agriculture and village life and the development of complex societies. Attention to debates over the causes of these changes and to ethical issues confronting North American archaeologists.
Syllabus
for Prof. Robin Smith's sections
ANTH 314 Evolution of Human Societies (4)
An overview of the evolution of human societies from family-based foragers to
chiefdoms, states, and the emerging global order; examines the main theoretical
line of argument and the debates among them.
ANTH 315 South American Prehistory (4)
A survey of the prehistory of the South American continent from the early occupations to the early domestication of plants and animals, the beginning of village life, the development of complex cultures, and the coming of Europeans. Attention is given to issues concerning peopling of the Western Hemisphere, the development of state level societies, pre-Colombian contacts, and the historic period impact of Europeans on the indigenous cultures.
ANTH 316 Circumpolar Peoples (4)
A survey of peoples living in Arctic regions of the world: similarities and differences in environment and technology, social and belief systems; issues of acculturation, native identity and the struggle for cultural survival.
ANTH 324 Anthropological Theory (4)
Examines several core questions that have guided anthropologists in their study of diverse peoples. Beginning with the birth of the discipline at the beginning of the century, it outlines key theoretical approaches that characterize anthropology as a distinct social science, exploring how such approaches have undergone revision and reformulation. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 216
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's
sections
ANTH 325 Ethnographic Methods (4)
Prepares students to conduct anthropological research in both American and non-Western settings. Teaches students an array of anthropological research methods including participant observation, structured and unstructured interviews and background research of anthropological literature.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's
sections
Syllabus for
Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 326 Ethnographic Writing (4)
Examines how anthropologists organize their field data into ethnographic texts.
Students read and critique a variety of anthropological works and genres. Reviews
key issues that arise in the construction of ethnographies, including issues
of truth, representation, reflexivity, and political agenda. PREREQUISITE: ANTH
216.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's sections
Syllabus for Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 330 Contemporary Chican@/Latin@ Culture (4)
Provides an overview of the culture and explores issues facing the community. Examines the relationship between Chican@/Latin@ culture and contemporary society in the U.S. Topics include history, immigration, language, gender, education, and contemporary cultural heroes.
ANTH 332 Latin America (4)
Provides an introduction to major aspects of Latin American cultures. Concentrates on issues of cultural contact, conflict, and accommodation by examining racial, ethnic, national, and gender identities, religion, the environment, human rights, and globalization. Explores indigenous, European, and African contributions to the sociocultural fabric of the region; geographic emphasis will fall on Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's
sections
ANTH 340 Mothers and Daughters (4)
A cross-cultural examination of women's primary kinship ties with emphasis on how relationships change throughout the human lifecycle. Topics will include control of reproduction, son preference, mother's power, nurturance vs. autonomy, role models, ambivalence and conflict, mature partnerships, and role reversals in old age.
ANTH 350 Research Methods in Archaeology (4)
A survey of techniques and methods used in archaeology, including research design,
survey, sampling strategies, excavation methods, laboratory analysis and interpretation.
Practical aspects of data recording and reporting, including computer applications.
(May be taught concurrently with ANTH 450 in field setting)
ANTH 352 Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (4)
Techniques and their applications in the analysis of materials recovered from archaeological sites. Emphasis will vary according to ongoing research. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 215 and permission of instructor.
ANTH 358 Tribal Art of the U.S. and Canada (4)
A survey of indigenous art in the Americas north of Mexico. Themes common to both terms include art in anthropological perspective, regional, group, and individual variations in style, and processes of acculturation and diffusion.
ANTH 360 Museum Studies (4)
Covers principles and practices of museum work. Topics include the role of museums
in the community, collections management, conservation of objects and artifacts,
program development, exhibit development, marketing, and fund raising. Laboratory
experience will be offered through the Jensen Arctic Museum on campus.
Syllabus
for Prof. Keni Sturgeon's sections
ANTH 365 The Museum and "the Other": How Western Museums Construct Non-Western Peoples, Gender and Class (4)
Course examines museum representations of Native Americans, African-Americans and other minorities, women, and the poor and working classes, as exemplified in more than 100 years of public exhibition.
ANTH 369 Visual Anthropology (4)
Course examines the place of the visual in anthropological analysis. Introduces
some of the techniques and theories used to analyze visual images. Students
investigate aspects of visual anthropology through readings, discussions, independent
research, and projects.
Syllabus
for Prof. Robin Smith's sections
ANTH 370 Women in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
Similarities and differences in women's lives in a variety of cultures around the world. Evolutionary and historical precedents for contemporary patterns of gender role construction; economic, social and ideological challenges to women seeking change in existing gender hierarchies. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 216.
Syllabus
for Prof. Robin Smith's sections
ANTH 372 Social Constructions of Race (4)
Course provides a critical perspective on racial/ethnic categorizations. Through
lectures, discussions, readings, and films, students become acquainted with
the social, cultural, historical, and evolutionary context of modern human diversity.
Syllabus for Prof J. Hofer's sections
ANTH 375 Women Anthropologists (4)
Examines women as practitioners of anthropology; surveys changing views of women in 19th/20th century Western society; obstacles in women's professional careers; women pioneers in anthropology; contributions to and feminist critiques of the discipline. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 216.
Syllabus for
Prof. Robin Smith's sections
ANTH 380 Africa (4)
Survey of African societies that compares classic and contemporary anthropological
texts covering similar structures and processes in very different, colonial
and postcolonial contexts. The goal is to come to an anthropological understanding
of how political, economic, historical and cultural factors shape contemporary
African societies.
Syllabus for Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 384 Modernization (4)
Examines anthropological case studies of social change in diverse contemporary
settings. It asks how individuals and groups confront modernity while maintaining
elements of their traditional cultures. Course readings cover a range of globalization
issues: How do local groups engage with international development projects?
How do Third World workers function in an industrialized work setting? How do
formerly colonized peoples confront Western liberal policies advocating environmentalism,
human rights and democracy? We examine insider accounts of global economic and
policy changes.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's sections
Syllabus for Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 386 Anthropology of Islam (4)
A general introduction to the anthropology of Islam through a series of ethnographic
readings. It outlines orthodox, scriptural understandings of Muslim practice,
while exploring how local people reinterpret and reshape the "world religion"
of Islam into diverse local forms. Key themes include Sufi Islam and religious
ritual, Muslim families and gender and Islamic fundamentalism and modernity.
Syllabus
for Prof. Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 388 Transnational Migration (4)
Examines the social and cultural aspects of transnational migration through
ethnographic readings of migration in various parts of the world. Covers key
theoretical issues pertaining to identity, locality and the economics of migration.
Case studies describe how migrants symbolically imbue their lives and livelihoods
with cultural meaning, while offering first-hand accounts of the migration experien.
Syllabus for Prof. Isidore Lobnibe's sections
ANTH 392 Applied Anthropology (4)
This course applies insights from cultural anthropology to contemporary social issues. The course reviews the history of applied anthropology in U.S. and then explores ways in which anthropology may provide a framework for approaching solutions to real-world problems. The course will include the following domains of inquiry and action: health and medicine, international development, education, law and criminal justice, the environment, and the ethics of research and intervention.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's sections
ANTH 394 Childhood in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
Survey of cross-cultural diversity in patterns of socialization and child development. The course explores child development, and the role of culture herein, from different theoretical perspectives, including evolutionary and ecocultural theory.
ANTH 396 Environmental Anthropology (4)
Introduces students to the field of environmental anthropology, which explores relationships between culture, society, and the physical aspects of environments across the globe. The course examines major theories in ecological research in anthropology, then moves to a critical exploration of significant issues in the field today, such as religion and resource use, indigenous environmental knowledge, economic development, conservation, cultural and human rights, and environmental social movements. Readings cover a variety of environmental contexts and social groups.
Syllabus for Prof. W. Smith's
sections
ANTH 399 Special Studies (1-4)
Terms and hours to be arranged.
ANTH 406 Special Individual Studies (4)
Designed for individual or specialized research and study in a defined area of interest under the guidance of a designated faculty mentor. PREREQUISITE: permission from instructor.
ANTH 407 Seminar (1-4)
Terms and hours to be arranged.
ANTH 408 Workshop (1-16)
Terms and hours to be arranged.
ANTH 409 Practicum (4-12)
ANTH 410 Research Design (4)
Students identify and design an internship or field experience that will be written up as the Senior Project. In consultation with an advisor, students independently read background materials while they write a theoretically-grounded research proposal. PREREQUISITE: Anthropology major, junior standing.
Syllabus for Socio-cultural projects
Syllabus for Biological, Archaeological, and Museum Studies
projects
ANTH 411 Fieldwork (4-12)
Individual research, volunteer work, internship, employment or other practical experience designed to use and challenge the student's anthropological knowledge. Consultation with anthropology faculty in advance and during the Fieldwork is required. Planning takes place in ANTH 410 Research Design and a formal paper that analyzes the experience and summarizes outcomes is produced in ANTH 412 Senior Thesis.
Syllabus for Socio-cultural projects
Syllabus for Biological, Archaeological, and Museum Studies
projects
ANTH 412 Senior Thesis (4)
Provides guidance in producing a written account of the Anthropology major's Fieldwork, ANTH 411.
Syllabus for Socio-cultural projects
Syllabus for Biological, Archaeological, and Museum Studies
projects
ANTH 450 Field Methods in Archaeology (12)
Basic archaeological survey and excavation skills will be developed through participation in field research at an archaeological site. Observation, description, data recording, mapping, and photographic techniques will be practiced or demonstrated. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 215 or consent of instructor.
ANTH 461 Urban Anthropology (4)
Understanding the origin and evolution of cities. The application of cross-cultural perspectives to the social organization of urban life. An examination of factors in the evolution of urban forms and institutions. PREREQUISITE: ANTH 216 or consent of instructor.
ANTH 476 Religion and Ritual (4)
Examines the religious rituals of diverse peoples living in various parts of
the world. Outlines anthropological approaches to religion, while focusing on
particular topics: How do non-Western religions incorporate spirit possession,
animism, and ancestor worship into their belief systems? How do local peoples
merge world religions such as Islam and Christianity with local traditions?
How do religious rituals enable oppressed groups to resist powerful forces,
such as colonists or corrupt states? Also examines links between religion, magic,
witchcraft, and sorcery.
ANTH 478 Political Anthropology (4)
Examines issues of comparative political systems, local political cultures, and connections between local and wider political spheres. Focuses on problems of authority, organization, and power and how anthropology contributes to an understanding of the institutions, practices, logics, and representations that underpin social orders. A wide range of theoretical approaches and ethnographic material is explored.
Syllabus for Prof. Doug Smith's sections
ANTH 480 History and Theory of Archaeology (4)
The development of modern archaeological science from beginnings in the 18th century through the emergence of contemporary theories of cultural evolution; current issues including ethics, feminist critiques, and post-processual paradigms.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin
Smith's sections
ANTH 482 Historical Archaeology (4)
Survey of the global and interdisciplinary field within archaeology that specializes in the interpretation of the recent past. Methods of archival research and material culture interpretation are reviewed. Demonstrates the use of both documents and excavated artifacts to explore issues such as representation of ethnicity, development of class differences and changing gender roles.
Syllabus for Prof.
Robin Smith's sections
ANTH 494 Northwest Indian Cultures (4)
A survey of indigenous peoples of Northwestern North America, including the Northwest Coast, the Columbia-Fraser Plateau and the Great Basin. Emphasis on adaptation to particular environments and interactions with other cultures in both pre- and post-contact periods.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin
Smith's sections
ANTH 496 Indian America (4)
An anthropological perspective on the historical and social processes of contact and acculturation between indigenous peoples of North America and Old World immigrants in the historic period. Topics include colonial and U.S. Government policies, demographic trends, popular images and stereotyping, nativistic movements, education, tribal identity and sovereignty.
Syllabus for Prof. Robin
Smith's sections
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