Course introduces the subfield of social and cultural anthropology, which studies living cultures within the United States and around the world. Content includes the pillars of culture, medical anthropology, globalization and topics related to applied anthropology. Students will be introduced to cultural systems of various human groups with particular attention to the impacts of transnationalism and globalization on indigenous and marginalized communities throughout the world as well as those within the United States. Students will explore the diversity of these communities within specific historical contexts and in relation to hegemonic structures of power such as discrimination, marginalization and exploitation based on race and ethnicity, sex and gender, orientation and ability. This course dissects the ethnocentric views at the crux of most cultural conflicts and injustices today and counters these biases with culturally relative approaches to difference, like adopting an insider perspective. Using readings, videos, films and case studies, students will learn to apply an anthropological lens to better understand the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly globalizing world.
Course introduces archaeology, subfield of anthropology which studies prehistory and history of mankind, and examines archaeological concepts including research and methods for study of prehistoric cultures. Content includes site location, techniques of excavation, methods of dating artifacts and sites; analysis of artifacts, origin and spread of agriculture, rise of development of modern civilization; current archaeological investigations and interpretations of findings.
Course introduces physical anthropology, subfield of anthropology that includes study of biological, social and cultural aspects of human evolution and adaptation. Content includes fossil record and principles of population genetics, used to explore theory of evolution, primate behavior, concept of race, and human adaptation and evolution.
Course explores major issues related to field of anthropology. Topics selected from following subspecialties: primate studies and human evolution; religion and rituals; cross-gender and race issues; and early civilization. Course has different focus and/or scope from other anthropology courses currently offered. Course can be taken for credit up to four times on different topics. Fee Varies. Prerequisite may vary by topic.