Anthropology (ANTH)

ANTH 1050  INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)

Anthropology is the humanistic and scientific study of humans, past and present. This course will present an overview of the four subdisciplines of anthropology: sociocultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic.

Distribution: Social Science General Education course

ANTH 2000  ETHNOGRAPHY INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)

This is an independent study course in which the student views films and digital materials, reads books and articles regarding a specific culture from an ethnographic perspective. Each culture will be a one (1) credit hour module. The intent is to acquaint the student in some depth with cultures in the world.

Prerequisite(s): One course in the social sciences and the instructor's permission.

ANTH 2990  GUIDED READING IN ANTHROPOLOGY (1-6 credits)

Guided readings and/or independent research in a special anthropological topic under the supervision of an Anthropology faculty member. A formal contract specifying the nature of the work to be completed must be signed before enrolling in the course. May be taken for a maximum of six hours.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ANTH 3210  CULTURES OF AFRICAN PEOPLE (3 credits)

An introduction to cultures and societies of Africa. Analysis of kinship systems; political, economic and religious institutions; social change. Emphasis on the dynamics of social organization of African people.

Prerequisite(s): Sophomore or above with one three-hour introductory social science course

ANTH 3220  PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF NATIVE NORTH AMERICA (3 credits)

A survey of the Native peoples and cultures of North America, past and present. Topics covered include: economics, religion, social organization, kinship, political organization, material culture, gender and culture change through time.

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or permission of Instructor

ANTH 3260  WORLD CULTURES AND PEOPLES (3 credits)

This course utilizes ethnography to examine human cultures in a specific geographic context. The area approach in cultural anthropology reveals how the physical environment shapes culture and how those cultures, in turn, shape their environments. This course will also examine the larger social milieu and cultural change over time. The specific area will be announced each time the course is offered.

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 3910  INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)

An introduction to physical anthropology through an examination of theories and techniques used to investigate human origins; the relationship between humans and their physical environment; human variation, growth and development; and the evolution of human diseases.

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or High School Biology recommended.

Distribution: Natural/Physical Science General Education course

ANTH 3920  ESSENTIALS OF ARCHAEOLOGY (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the essentials of scientific archaeology. Topics addressed include the history of archaeology, site survey, mapping, testing, excavation, laboratory methods, analysis, interpretation, and documentation. Scientific archaeology focuses upon the use of empirical data to test or evaluate our interpretations of past human behavior.

Prerequisite(s): Anthropology 1050 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 4210  CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)

Cultural Anthropology is the sub-discipline of Anthropology that systematically considers cultural diversity (similarities and differences) in all known human societies. The scope of cultural anthropology is one of the broadest in the social sciences and includes the study of subsistence strategies and economies, kinship and social organization, political organization, religion, gender, language, expressive arts, human-environment relationships, and globalization. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8216).

Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior with a minimum of six hours of social science.

ANTH 4220  NORTH AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY (3 credits)

This course explores more than 20,000 years of Native American culture and lifeways in North America. Indigenous peoples faced numerous challenges throughout this vast and diverse continent. Hunters, gatherers, fishers, and horticulturalists adapted to all regions of North America. Students will be introduced to a range of archaeological concepts, methods and theoretical perspectives central to learning about this rich heritage of American archaeology. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8226).

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or permission of instructor

ANTH 4230  ETHNOMEDICINES OF THE AMERICAS (3 credits)

An anthropological approach to the study of the cultural systems of specific American ethnomedicines (traditional medicines) of North, Central and South America. For each ethnomedicine, the historical context, philosophy, practice, therapeutics, and utilization will be examined to understand how and why each ethnomedicine has survived despite tremendous extermination pressure. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8236).

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050

ANTH 4240  MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)

Medical anthropology is the cross-cultural study of human culture, health and illness. Using multiple theoretical perspectives, this course examines how cultural, social, environmental, and biological factors interact to produce patterns of health and illness in past and present human societies. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8246)

ANTH 4250  ENVIRONMENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND NATIVE PEOPLES OF THE GREAT PLAINS (3 credits)

Environmental anthropology seeks to understand the interrelationships between human societies and their biophysical and social environments. This course introduces students to basic concepts and theories used by anthropologists to study environmental influences upon both past and present Native American societies on the North American Great Plains. Particular attention will be given to the rapid and dramatic environmental changes that continue to challenge Native Americans in the Great Plains today. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8256)

Prerequisite(s): Anthropology 1050 and junior standing; or permission of instructor.

ANTH 4260  TOPICS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)

Cultural Anthropology (Ethnology) is the comparative study of cultures. Each semester the course is offered, one topic will be selected from the subfield of Cultural Anthropology, such as: Applied Anthropology, Economic Anthropology, Political Anthropology, Visual Anthropology, Anthropology of Gender and Sexualities, Comparative Analysis of Kinship, or the Anthropology of Religion. Since the topic will vary, students may elect to take this course more than once.

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 4270  DECOLONIZING NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH (3 credits)

This course will utilize an interdisciplinary lens to interrogate Native American health and wellness grounded in the decolonizing theoretical and methodological tools drawn from Medical Anthropology and Native American Studies. Topics covered will include: Health Disparities, Federal Indian Health Policy, Historical Trauma, Medical Mistrust, Traditional Healing, Food Sovereignty and Research Ethics. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8276, NAMS 4270, NAMS 8276).

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or Instructor permission

ANTH 4920  SEMINAR IN ANTHROPOLOGY (3 credits)

This course reviews research and writing in an area of current interest in the field of anthropology. The specific topic(s) to be covered will be announced at the time the course is being offered. Since the topics will vary, students may elect to take this course more than once. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8926).

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or permission of instructor

ANTH 4940  ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the field methods of scientific archaeology. These field methods include map reading, use of satellite and aerial photographs, instrument survey and mapping, pedestrian survey or reconnaissance, site survey data collection, identification of artifacts (stone tools, ceramics, etc.) and ecofacts (animal remains, macrobotanicals, etc.), systematic artifact collection and documentation, soil probes and coring methods, GPS-based mapping, excavation methods, and data recording. Additional topics include laboratory methods (artifact and ecofact analysis, interpretation, and documentation). This field course ultimately focuses upon the use of empirical data to test or evaluate our interpretations of past human behavior. (Cross-listed with ANTH 8946).

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1050 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 4990  INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ANTHROPOLOGY (1-3 credits)

Guided readings and/or independent research in a special anthropological topic under the supervision of an Anthropology faculty member. A formal contract specifying the nature of the work to be completed must be signed before enrolling in the course. May be taken for a maximum of six hours.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.