COURSES
ANT 112. INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 4
sh
This introduction to the study of human cultures
focuses on the diversity of human
cultures around the globe. It presents basic concepts,
theories and methods used by
anthropologists studying people and culture. Topics span
human cultural evolution, social organization, marriage and
family, making a living, economics, politics, religion and
human problems related to issues of globalization, among
others. Offered fall and spring. Required course for the
Sociology major and the Anthropology minor.
ANT 113. HUMAN EVOLUTION AND ADAPTATION 4 sh
This course provides a basic introduction to
neo-Darwinian theory and natural selec-
tion, Mendelian and population genetics, mechanisms of human
biological and cultural
adaptation, and interpretation of the primate and hominid
fossil record (drawing on both
paleontology and molecular genetics). Special attention is
paid to the interaction of social
mechanisms with biological and environmental influences in
human evolution. Readings
include an introduction to medical biotechnology and the
Human Genome Diversity
Project.
ANT 114. INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY 4 sh
Introduction to Archaeology presents the current
state of archaeology by exploring its
historical roots and covers basic archaeological theories,
methods, and practice. This
includes techniques for investigation, recovery,
reconstruction, interpretation and preser-
vation, as well as ethical considerations.
ANT 121. CROSS-CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS 2 sh
This course is an introduction to the subject of
culture and to living in a multicultural
world. The central theme of the course is appreciating as
well as understanding cultural
diversity. Students will develop and expand their cultural
sensitivity through a variety of
experiential activities focused on becoming more aware of
the role of culture as central in
defining who we are as individuals. Exposure to the unique
approaches of anthropologists
in encountering and communicating with peoples of different
cultures and backgrounds
will be emphasized. This course will serve as an excellent
foundation for a variety of
majors in communications, the humanities, the social
sciences, business, education and for
those with a geographic focus such as Asia, Africa, Russia,
etc. It will also serve as prepa-
ration for the Studies Abroad experience.
ANT 215. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 4 sh
This course examines the ways qualitative analyses
(non-numerical data) help social
scientists explore questions of meaning within specific
social and cultural contexts, and
historical moments. Specific topics include: participant
observation, focus groups, open-
ended interviewing, thematic coding, archival research and
data analysis with a qualitative
computer software program. The complementary relationship
between qualitative and
quantitative research methods will be considered, with a
sustained focus on the particular
strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research design.
Prerequisite: SOC 111 or ANT
112. Cross-listed with SOC 215.
ANT 216. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 4 sh
This course examines the ways quantitative analyses
(numerical data) help social scien-
tists investigate issues, problems and relationships within
social and cultural contexts.
Specific topics include: discussion of the scientific
method, survey methodology, sampling
techniques, hypothesis testing, aggregate level analyse, and
issues of reliability, validity
and generalizability, as well as data analysis with SPSS.
The complementary relationship
between quantitative and qualitative research designs will
be considered, with a focus on
the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research
design. Prerequisite: SOC 111 or
ANT 112. Offered spring semester. Cross-listed with SOC
216.
ANT 227. FROM THE GROUND DOWN 4 sh
Students explore the adventure and science of
archaeology from the perspective of an
anthropologist. This course highlights great discoveries in
archaeology with a look at
famous sites worldwide. An overview of the development of
archaeology from treasure
hunting to a high-tech science are presented. Additional
topics include fieldwork tech-
niques, artifact analysis, interpretation, forensic analysis
and cultural resource preserva-
tion. The course includes visits to archaeological sites in
the area.
ANT 253. INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA 4 sh
Indigenous peoples of Australia have created the
longest continuing cultural tradition in
the world today. This course emphasizes the traditional,
colonial and contemporary experi-
ences of first Australian peoples through the socio-cultural
imagination. Through lectures,
field trips and directed self learning, students will
explore important issues in Indigenous
Australian people’s quest for equality and cultural
survival. Offered winter. Cross-listed
with SOC 253.
ANT 322. ETHNOGRAPHY 4 sh
This course teaches the methods anthropologists use
to gain access, develop rapport,
collect and analyze data and interpret findings when
studying human cultures. Students
also read selected ethnographies (first-hand accounts by
anthropologists who have
lived among peoples of various cultures, including
ourselves, throughout the globe).
Prerequisite: SOC 111 or ANT 112.
ANT 323. VIDEO ETHNOGRAPHY 4 sh
For years, anthropologists have learned about other
cultures through intensive fieldwork
and then written about these cultures in books that line our
library shelves. But in this
technological age, many writers have become videographers,
translating culture to the
screen rather than the page. This class will introduce
students to the process and art of
ethnography and videography by reading published
ethnographies, engaging with the
current scholarship on visual anthropology, critically
analyzing ethnographic films, and
finally researching, shooting and editing short video
ethnographies. Prerequisite: SOC 111
or ANT 112.
ANT 324. CULTURE AND SEX 4 sh
This course examines human sexuality from a
biocultural perspective, exploring the
physiology of human sexuality and the cross-cultural context
of sexual expression. Themes
include alternative sexual lifestyles, sexual dysfunction,
the symbolic dimensions of sexu-
ality and AIDS. Prerequisite: SOC 111 or ANT 112.
ANT 325. CULTURE, HEALTH AND ILLNESS 4 sh
This study of the biocultural basis of health and
disease over time and across cultures
examines the importance of culture in the experience of
illness, diagnosis and treatments.
Topics include the cultural implications of food and food
habits, health care practices, the
relationship of healers and patients, alternative health
care practices and the relationship of
mind and body in illness and recovery. Prerequisite: SOC 111
or ANT 112.
ANT 329. WOMEN, CULTURE AND THE WORLD 4 sh
This course focuses on women’s issues from an
anthropological perspective emphasizing
evolutionary and cross-cultural considerations and including
the impact of globalization
on women’s lives. Gender relations and women’s
status/roles are discussed in the context
of the following systems: economic, political, kinship and
family, religion and healing.
Topics include women’s life-cycles, the cultural
construction of gender, personhood and
violence against women. Prerequisite: SOC 111 or ANT
112.
ANT 361. HISTORY OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY 4
sh
This course introduces students to some of the
major social theories and debates that
inspire and inform anthropological analysis. Students will
investigate a range of theoreti-
cal propositions concerning such topics as agency,
structure, subjectivity, history, social
change, power, culture and the politics of representation.
Prerequisite: ANT 112.
ANT 364. INEQUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
4 sh
This course examines the persisting extreme
disparity between rich and poor in Latin
America with special attention to the promise and problems
of post-World War II develop-
ment. We draw on historical material and case studies to
examine the roles of modern-
ization and dependency theories; the World Bank and IMF; the
women’s movement;
grassroots struggles; non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
and neoliberal policies in
shaping and reshaping development. The current push for
“free trade” policies is evaluated
in light of criteria from emerging models for more
sustainable, participatory development.
ANT 380-389. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY 2-4
sh
This series of courses reflects new contributions
in anthropology or anthropological issues.
Prerequisite: to be determined by instructor.
ANT 461. SENIOR SEMINAR IN ANTHROPOLOGY 4 sh
This capstone course reviews major areas of
anthropology and provides further oppor-
tunity to share research on these topics. Students conduct
research ranging from how
anthropological knowledge can be applied occupationally and
politically to more basic,
academic topics. Prerequisites: ANT 215, ANT 216, ANT 361
and senior ANT major
status.
ANT 471. SEMINAR: SPECIAL TOPICS 2-4 sh
ANT 482. INTERNSHIP IN ANTHROPOLOGY 1-4 sh
Teaching, research, service and occupational
internships are offered. Limited to four
semester hours credit applicable to anthropology major or
minor. Prerequisites: department
permission and at least sophomore standing.
ANT 491. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 sh
ANT 499. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN ANTHROPOLOGY 1-8 sh
The student develops an individual project of
original research under the guidance of a
professor within the department. Prerequisites: at least
sophomore standing; anthropology
major or minor; satisfactory completion of ANT 215 or ANT
216; and permission of the
sponsoring professor. Students are also required to complete
the department’s Independent
Research form, a process that includes a description of the
proposed research and a
student-professor plan for completing the course.
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