Anthropology Courses

Semester specific course descriptions

102. Cultural Anthropology.
A general exploration of cultural anthropology, which addresses the spectrum of human cultural diversity in the attempt to understand what people do and why they do it. We consider a wide variety of human communities from topical viewpoints, ranging from the ways people construct relationships to the ways they perceive the world around them. We critically discuss some of the ways anthropologists and others have attempted to account for human cultural phenomena. The object is to develop a good acquaintance with aspects and examples of human cultural diversity and a grasp of some of the processes affecting human societies. Various issues will recur: What factors affect relationships between female and male? Why do some groups fight while others appear to be more peaceful? Why are some relatively egalitarian while others emphasize rank and status? Fulfills social science and diversity distribution requirements. Also offered through Global Studies and Peace Studies.

103. Introduction to Archaeology.
A general overview of the branch of anthropology that investigates ancient societies through the material remains they have left behind. Students learn that archaeologists engage in detailed, systematic detective work aimed at answering a wide range of questions about human behavior. The course introduces students to the history of archaeology, the main goals of archaeological research and the basic techniques of excavation, site survey and artifact analysis, as well as the famous discoveries and excavations that have broadened our knowledge about the human past. Fulfills social science distribution requirement.

153. Introduction to African Studies: Environment and Culture.
The physical environment of Africa, with particular emphasis on distribution of water resources. Culture is approached as it relates to environment. The course examines how people of different cultures conceptualize and value water resources, how the indigenous peoples of Africa have coped with frequently variable and unreliable water supplies, and the impact of some controversial water development projects on people’s lives. Also offered as African Studies 102.

201. Introduction to Human Origins.
This course explores the nature of humanity using a bio-cultural approach. Students learn about the history and basic concepts of evolutionary thought, the fossil and genetic evidence for human evolution, the origins of language and culture, and human biological diversification. We analyze the human species with the rest of the primates by formulating explanations concerning the biological and cultural development of the primate order over the last 65 million years. Fulfills science studies distribution requirement.

205. Language and Human Experience.
Introduction to the anthropological study of language as a peculiarly human trait. We compare and contrast human vocal language with non-human forms of communication to ask, What is language? What separates human language from other forms of communication? What is the range of human communicative skills (e.g., sounds, gestures, body language, silence)? What is the relationship among language, society and culture? Between language and perception? How do the use, non-use and/or misuse of language communicate aspects of cultural and/or personal identity? How do anthropologists go about studying these things? Fulfills social science and diversity distribution requirements. Also offered through Global Studies.

208. Ancient Civilizations
Students will learn how and why relatively simple egalitarian societies made the transition to state-level civilizations, via an overview of several “primary” civilizations of the Old and New Worlds, chosen from among Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, the Indus Valley, Mesoamerica and the central Andes. In comparing and contrasting these case studies, students explore key issues from an anthropological perspective: how archaeologists investigate these early social formations, what the material remains tell us about how they functioned and flourished, the critical role of the environment and geography, and how and why the civilizations declined. Offered annually. Also offered through Asian Studies and Global Studies.

215. Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology.
Lost continents, ancient astronauts, mysterious giants: In the mass media, archaeology has often been the subject of fantastic myths, frauds and endless speculation about what “really” happened in the past. This course critically examines various popular and pseudoscientific claims about the human past, including the search for Atlantis, the shroud of Turin, psychic archaeology and the Piltdown Man, and introduces students to the scientific goals, methodology and techniques of archaeology. How do archaeologists “know” things — how do they work within logistical theoretical frameworks, systematically explore the patterns and contexts of archaeological remains, and interpret the material and scientific evidence to draw educated conclusions about past human experiences? Offered annually. Fulfills science studies distribution requirement.

218. Archaeology and Identity.
How do archaeologists define identity? How do they recognize it “on the ground”? This course considers whether identity — based on gender, “race,” ethnicity, religious affiliation or class — is passively reflected in material culture or if it is imposed on ancient peoples by modern thinkers. We will also explore the issue from a contemporary perspective, by examining the intersections among archaeology, nationalist agendas and the social constructions of the past. We will examine a number of archaeological case studies, including gender roles in early Mayan and Mesopotamian societies, caste affiliations in ancient India and the politics of archaeology in Nazi Germany. Offered on rotation. Also offered through Gender and Sexuality Studies.

220. The Neandertals.
Who were the Neanderthals? Some scientists argue that Neanderthals were an evolutionary dead-end. Others disagree and propose that, despite their unique genetic, skeletal and cultural adaptations to an extreme glacial environment, Neanderthals should still be considered members of humanity. This course explores the debate surrounding the evolutionary position of the Neanderthals and what happened to them by examining fossil, genetic, cultural and linguistic evidence concerning their evolution, culture, and diversification. Offered annually. Fulfills science studies distribution requirement.

224. Caribbean Literature in English.
A survey of literature by authors from formerly British colonies; Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts and Dominica. This course considers colonial and postcolonial fiction, poetry and non-fiction by writers from various ethnic groups, including people of African, East Indian, Chinese and European descent. Representative authors are Derek Walcott, Jamaica Kincaid, V.S. Naipaul, Jean Rhys, George Lamming, Edgar Mittelholzer, Olive Senior, Erna Brodber and Michelle Cliff. Offered annually. Fulfills humanities and diversity distribution requirements. Also offered through English and Caribbean and Latin American Studies.

225.  Peoples and Cultures of Africa.
This course examines the nature of culture through a survey of the peoples and customs of Africa south of the Sahara.  Different cultures’ adaptations to different environments and subsistence economies are compared with resultant political systems, social organizations, religions, languages and world views, in pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial contexts. We will give special attention to current issues in modernization, economic development, and post-colonial states, as they grapple with membership in a global politico-economic system, as we explore the history and development of anthropological theory and methods that have emerged from the anthropological study of African societies.  Also offered through African Studies.

230.  Introduction to African-American Literature.
Beginning with a consideration of Frederick Douglass and the slave narratives of the 19th century, the course concentrates on the writers of the Harlem Renaissance and follows the development of African-American writing in poetry, fiction and drama to the present day. Representative authors are Douglass, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, Gloria Naylor, Toni Morrison, Connie Porter and August Wilson. Fulfills humanities and diversity distribution requirements. Offered annually. Also offered through English and African-American Studies.

238. The Pacific Islands.
This course surveys the peoples and cultures of the Island Pacific, called Oceania: the lush semitropical islands of Hawai’i through the mountains of New Guinea. The culture areas of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia are defined according to differences in geography, human physical features, languages and systems of religion, politics, economics and social organization. We pursue selected problems in cultural anthropological fieldwork, modernization and development as these cultures struggle with worldwide political and economic processes. Offered annually. Fulfills social science and diversity distribution requirements. Also offered through Asian Studies and Global Studies.

240. Environment and Resource Use in Kenya.
The contrast in Kenya’s physical and human environment is addressed, between highland and lowland, cropland and rangeland, domestic livestock and wildlife, modern and traditional ways of life, and land-use systems. The impact of the colonial regime on land ownership and resource use is studied with reference to certain ethnic groups. Responses to changing economic and political conditions in the postcolonial era are also discussed. Offered annually. Fulfills diversity distribution requirement. Also offered as Environmental Studies 240 and through African Studies.

245. Women and Land in Africa.
An analysis of the position of women with reference to ethnic groups from different parts of Africa. Their significant role in food production and fuel wood and water collection creates a heavy labor burden for women with few ownership rights to land or livestock. Trends in colonial and post-colonial Africa provided education to some women but decreased property rights and increased their responsibilities. Through films and biographies, African women speak in their own words about the realities of their lives. Also offered through African Studies.

255. Environmental Perception and Indigenous Knowledge.
People in different cultures perceive their environment in different ways and have bodies of systematic knowledge relating to land, water, soil, plants and animals upon which they base their use of these resources. This course attempts to show how indigenous people understand the interrelationship of the different elements of their environments and have used them for sustainable livelihood. The impact of Western knowledge systems and commercial interests on indigenous communities is discussed, with reference to African and American case studies. Also offered as Environmental Studies 255 and through African Studies and Native American Studies.

275. Aboriginal Australia.
This course examines the richness and diversity of traditional Australian Aboriginal cultures from perspectives including archaeology, ecology, economics, social organization, politics, religion, gender relations and modern problems that come with urbanization, economic development and incorporation into an Anglo-European state system. We describe and analyze dominant Aboriginal themes within a broader framework of anthropological theory and inquiry through time. Students learn about the nature of social and cultural forms as they are thought to have been prior to the European invasion and during colonization and how these have been adapted (or resisted adaptation) to the contemporary Australian socio-cultural system. Recommended for students applying to study in Australia. Offered annually. Fulfills social science and diversity distribution requirements. Also offered through Global Studies.

290.  Bones of Contention.
Did people in the past practice body modification? How do diseases affect the human skeleton? How were ancient surgical procedures performed? What can the human skeleton tell us about past ways of life? How do anthropologists go about answering these questions? In this course, students learn about the bones of the human body; how to identify, reconstruct, and analyze human bones; and how to place the human skeleton in anthropological context, to analyze the interactions among biology, culture and the environment through time. Recommended for students interested in forensics, law, anthropology and health-related fields. Offered annually. Fulfills natural science (without lab) distribution requirement.

304. Language, Culture and Society.
Ever notice that some people talk funny? Ever feel confused when someone thinks you talk funny? Why does everyone but you have an accent? And what’s really wrong, with, like, saying “like” like that? This course examines social and cultural aspects of language use, misuse and abuse, concentrating on issues such as ethnicity, social class, gender and power in language access and use patterns both across cultures and within the United States, and examines different genres of language performance (jokes, gossip, cursing behavior, proverbs, etc.) as linguistic vehicles of social control. Prerequisite: Anthropology 102 or 205 or permission of the instructor. Offered on rotation. Also offered through Global Studies.

325. Evolution, Culture and Human Diversity.
What are the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for human diversity? Throughout evolutionary history, humans have been able to occupy virtually every region on the planet. In doing so, humans have undergone a process of cultural and biological diversification. This course offers a bio-cultural perspective to study the evolution and diversification of humanity. Students learn about the relationship among biology, culture and the environment, and discuss topics such as human differences in blood type, lactose intolerance, adaptation to hot and cold environments, adaptation to ultraviolet radiation, and eugenics. Offered occasionally. Recommended for students interested in biomedical sciences, anthropology and related fields.

342.  Pastoralist Peoples.
A seminar course in which individual participation, both in speech and in writing, is extremely important. We look at the past, present and future of pastoral nomads, with special reference to East Africa. Readings focus on how the women and men of these communities have defined themselves and how they have been perceived and defined by others. Evaluation of the ways pastoral communities are adapting to changing political, economic and social situations in East Africa allows us to consider the appropriateness of national policies of rangeland development and to recognize possible future trends in these areas. Also offered through African Studies.

343. Famine.
Physical, economic and cultural factors give rise to famines. Cultural factors include the ways different societies respond to food shortage and the role of cultural conflicts and misunderstandings in contributing to famine or preventing adequate response to food shortage. These issues are discussed as they relate to famines in Europe, Asia and Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. Films and print media sources are used to evaluate the cultural image of famine prevalent in this society. Also offered through African Studies and Global Studies, and as Environmental Studies 343.

350. The Anthropology of Sex and Gender.
Westerners tend to think of male and female as fixed and unambiguous biological categories determined by nature. But non-Western societies interpret sexual difference in myriad cultural ways. This course examines cross-cultural variations in the perception and elaboration of sexual difference. We focus on non-Western hunting, gathering, pastoral and horticultural societies, but compare and contrast these cultural forms with Western, industrialized societies as appropriate. We explore the interplay among ideology, childhood socialization and gender roles; differential status, power and prestige; symbolic connotations and reinforcement of gender imagery; and cross-cultural comparison of practices and attributes associated with sex and gender classification. Prerequisite: Anthropology 102, Gender Studies 103 or permission of the instructor. Offered on rotation. Also offered through Gender Studies and Global Studies.

365. Forensic Anthropology.
How can bones help forensic scientists identify long-dead people? What is the role of forensic anthropologists in mass disaster and human rights investigations? Do shows such as “Bones” and “CSI” accurately reflect the role of forensic investigators? Through hands-on experience, students will learn how forensic anthropologists use skeletal materials and biological principles to recover, identify and evaluate human skeletal remains. By the end of the course, students will have basic knowledge of the history and goals of forensic anthropology, human osteology, and an awareness of issues relating to the search, discovery and recovery of human skeletal remains. Offered on rotation.

379. Body, Mind and ‘Personhood’ in Anthropological Perspective.
What does it mean to be “human”? How do different cultures define human/non-human/other-than-human beings in the experiential world? This seminar explores the role of culture in the symbolic and psychological shaping of individual human experience from birth through death; conceptions and comparative valuations of bodily features; ideal types; gender identity; and individual goals for achievement and culturally accepted routes to achieving them. We will analyze cases from Africa, Native America and the Pacific islands, and draw comparisons with “Western” ideas. Some background in cultural anthropology or psychology is desirable. Not open to first-year students. Offered on rotation.

415. SYE: Great Debates in Archaeology
When faced with wondrous yet puzzling archaeological remains that cover the globe, what were the reactions of scholars and lay people 100 or 500 or 1,000 years ago?  This course traces the intriguing history of archaeological investigation, from its antiquarian, “treasure hunt” origins to its modern incarnation as a systematic, scientifically driven discipline.  We examine how the practice of archaeology has been shaped by social and political climates; explore the impact of changing notions toward historical time, human progress and the “other”; and evaluate contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of the human past.

420. SYE: Views of Human Nature.
An exploration of attempts to understand human social and cultural phenomena, from early European efforts to account for human diversity to the spectrum of modern anthropological thought. We will read some of the arguments and analyses of people whose ideas have influenced views of why human beings act the way they do. We will consider the nature of their disagreements and the issues that have persisted in these debates, and argue these issues among ourselves. Each scholar has a particular view of human nature, even if it amounts to the assertion that there is no such thing. We will explore the implications of these views, try to see them in the social and political contexts in which they arose and examine them with a critical eye. This course is designed as a senior capstone seminar for anthropology majors.

430. SYE: Human Evolution: The Fossil Evidence.
This seminar offers an overview of the empirical evidence and interpretive models of early human evolution. Emphasis is given to Plio-Pleistocene hominids from eastern and southern Africa. Specific topics for discussion include the divergence of apes and humans, origins of bipedality, evolutionary relationships of early hominid species and the emergence of anatomically modern humans. Prerequisite: Anthropology 201 or permission of the instructor.

445. SYE: Magic, Religion and Myth.
We are born, we live and we die. Although this is also true of other animals, only humans are aware of the precariousness of life and the inevitability of death. Only the human animal sees a pattern behind the facts of existence and worries about life here and in the hereafter. Only humans create elaborate symbolic mechanisms to cope with these universal unknowns. This course examines how people cope with the trials and tribulations caused by the uncertainties of life through symbolic systems such as magic, sorcery, religion, myth and ritual. Ethnographic examples are drawn predominantly from non-Western cultures in Africa, the Island Pacific, India and Southeast Asia, with comparative discussion of contemporary Western cultural traditions. Recommended: Anthropology 102 or 205, or permission of the instructor. Also offered through Global Studies.

447,448. SYE: Anthropology Topical Seminars.
Offered occasionally. These seminars deal with significant topics in anthropology on an advanced level. Recent offerings have been African belief systems, nationalism and the post-colonial experience in South Asia, the anthropology of war and raiding, Apache studies and the beginning of food production. Prerequisites: previous relevant course work to be specified in the Class Schedule or permission of the instructor.

489,490. SYE: Projects for Juniors and Seniors.
Open to qualified students who wish to pursue more specialized or advanced anthropological study and research on a specific topic under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Prerequisite: at least two anthropology courses and permission of the instructor.

498,499. Honors in Anthropology.
Open to anthropology majors with a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses taken within the department. Requires completion of a long-term project beginning late in the junior year under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Details are available from the department. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.