Return to Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology | Courses Index
[1] Courses in Anthropology (ANTH)
1302 INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY Part of the lower-division UCA Core as a social science course in the Diversity in World Cultures category. A requirement in the Anthropology minor and an elective for other majors and minors. An introduction to the field of anthropology with an emphasis on basic anthropological principles, the nature of culture and social organization, and the biological beginnings of homo sapiens. Lecture and discussion. [ ACTS: ANTH1013 ]
2300 PEOPLES AND CULTURES An elective in the anthropology minor core. In this course, we will examine some of the dominant methods, theories, and debates informing the discipline of cultural anthropology. In addition to studying the content of anthropological analyses, we will also study the processes of conducting anthropological fieldwork and some of the practical applications of anthropological knowledge. Readings for the course have been chosen to provide you with a sampling of perspectives on culture and society, including cross-cultural, ethnographic, and life history angles at the culture-society-environment interrelationship. These three frameworks-the cross-cultural, the ethnographic, and the life history approach-will provide you with a springboard for exploring the role of culture in your own life and society. Learning formats for the course will include readings, lecture, film, discussion, and group exercises. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
2310 BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY An elective in the anthropology minor core. This course is a comprehensive introduction to the fields of biological and physical anthropology addressing how ideas about human origins were forever altered by Darwin’s theory of evolution, how mechanisms of evolution are explained by modern genetics, and how modern human variation can be understood by applying these principles. It will cover the living primates and paleontological evidence for the divergences that led to the man apes and eventually to humans. The course focuses on the relationship between biology and culture, how and why our species became our planet’s dominant life form, the biological impact of agriculture and civilization, and prospects for the future of the Homo sapiens (“thinking” or “wise man”) species. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
2325 APPROACHES TO ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology investigates past cultures in order to reconstruct past lifeways and to understand changes that have occurred in different groups of people across the landscape through time. Archaeology plays an integral role in identifying where these groups lived, what they ate, how they interacted with each other, and how they were organized socially and politically. This course offers an introduction to the approaches used by archaeologists to study human history, social evolution, and past cultural change through an analysis of material remains. By the end of this course, you will have an understanding of the history of archaeology, its varied methodological approaches, and forms of archaeological evidence related to survey and excavation techniques and principles of dating and chronology. You will have been exposed to methods used in reconstructing past settlement patterns, subsistence strategies, religious practices, social and political organization, and how we explain change in the archaeological record. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
3300 REGIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY An elective in the anthropology minor core. Anthropological study of culture and society in a delineated geographical region of the world such as Appalachia, the Ozarks, the United States Southwest or South, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arctic, East Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Andean or Amazonian South America, the Middle East, Oceania, or South Asia. The course will introduce the geography of the region and explore its archaeology and cultural history, in addition to any other pertinent culture, ecological, societal, and/or historical features. May be repeated with new content. Maximum credit six units. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
3310 MAGIC, RELIGION, AND WITCHCRAFT An elective in the anthropology minor core. An exploration of supernatural beliefs and practices from primeval through contemporary culture including techniques for controlling the supernatural, parallels in religious movements and upheavals, and today’s quest for meaning and sanction. Students should gain understanding of unfamiliar beliefs and the underlying psychic unity of humankind. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
3315 NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES An elective for majors and minors. A study of the traditional lifeways of early Native American societies by culture area. Additional emphasis is placed on modern influences on tribal life resulting from treaties, pan-Indianism, and political activities. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302 or consent of instructor.
3320 ANTHROPOLOGY OF INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES AND CULTURE CHANGE Homo sapiens means “thinking” or “wise” man, but whether we are capable of intentionally envisioning and creating a more satisfying culture remains an open question. This course will cover anthropological theories on the world-wide development of culture and reasons for growth and collapse, anthropological concepts of human nature and motivation, Utopian thinkers, Revitalization movements and theories, real life Utopian experiments, cooperative and eco-village experiments, and culture-change oriented nonprofit organizations. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302 or SOC 1302.
3321 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS An elective for majors and minors in sociology and anthropology (cross listed as SOC 3321). A survey of the foundations, traditions, techniques, ethics, and scholarly works associated with qualitative and ethnographic research methodologies in sociology and anthropology. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: SOC 1300 or ANTH 1302. [UD UCA Core: I, C]
3340 ENVIRONMENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY An elective in the anthropology minor core. Environmental anthropology provides an introduction to human / environmental interactions from diverse anthropological perspectives, covering cultural ecology, ecological anthropology, ethnoscience, and political ecology. This course explores human adaptability, integrating social and biological approaches, cultural and political ecology, ecological politics and resistance in struggles over the definition, organization, and control of the natural environment, and contemporary issues of global environmental change, population and environment, “common property” resources, indigenous peoples’ environmental sciences and management regimes of resources, and the power relations affecting local and global human use of the environment. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
3350 MUSEUM ANTHROPOLOGY An elective in the anthropology minor core. This course in applied anthropology will provide an introduction to the history, purposes, transformations, and internal workings of museums. It will cover the relevance of humanistic and scientific anthropological training to careers in the museum field. Students will learn about some of the world’s large and small museums, focusing on natural and cultural history, and science museums related to anthropological studies of archaeology, human evolution, and world ethnography and ethnology. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
3360 ANTHROPOLOGY TRAVEL SEMINAR An elective in the anthropology minor. Students are immersed in the culture and environment of the locale. Travel sites vary as do the topical areas of focus. Travel seminars include both domestic and international locations. Students will be expected to learn about the cultural history of the region, in addition to geographic and ecological characteristics. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
3370 FOOD AND CULTURE An elective for majors and minors. This course traces the development of the industrial food system of the U.S. from the late 19th century to the present. Of particular interest are the negative results of “Big Food,” land use and food policy options, and the evolutionary development of the human diet from a little over 10,000 years ago to today. The recent global exchange of food and food cultures from around the world will also be examined. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
4V80 FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY An upper-division course that serves as an elective for Anthropology majors and minors. The Field Archaeology course introduces students to the practical elements of archaeological field and lab work while conducting guided and supervised excavations at an active archaeological site. Lectures and discussions accompany the fieldwork to expand skills and introduce additional topics, including archaeological research design, community and public archaeology, the legal and ethical aspects of archaeological excavation, and various specialized types of archaeological analyses. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
4V90 SELECTED PROBLEMS IN ANTHROPOLOGY (Variable credit: 1-3 credit hours.) An elective in the anthropology minor. This readings, discussion, and/or independent research course is on a topic of interest to the student and approved by the professor. Because of the nature of the course, its success depends largely on the student’s level of self-motivation. A topical area will be decided on by the student and faculty member and may consist of readings, field research, and/or academic travel. Activities when investigating the topic will vary by student. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
4310 MYTHS & MOUNDBUILDERS An elective for majors and minors. This course is an archaeological and ethnographic study of the traditional lifeways of early Native American societies by culture area. It will examine the social dynamics that defined the eastern Woodland chiefdoms situated within a culture area that archaeologists call the Mississippian southeast. Contemporary Native American societies will also be examined to evaluate processes of cultural continuity and change as documented in the archaeological record. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
4360 SEMINAR A requirement for all Anthropology majors. Students will complete an independent project based on research, fieldwork, or an internship. Discussions will center on key methods, theories, and research-design approaches in anthropology. Additional emphasis will be placed on career and educational opportunities for anthropology graduates. Seminar. Prerequisites: 21 hours of credit in the Anthropology major, including the following courses: ANTH 1302, 3321, 4380; and SOC 2321. [UD UCA Core: Z]
4370 INTERNSHIP An elective for majors and minors. A structured, supervised work or field experience. The student completes a minimum of 150 hours within the assigned placement setting during the term enrolled, maintains a log of activities, and provides the internship coordinator with a final paper or related academic product. Prerequisites: 21 hours of anthropology credit, including ANTH 3321 and ANTH 4380 or consent of department chair.
4380 ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY An elective in the anthropology minor. This course will explore the intellectual currents and ideas that have informed anthropological research and writings and the progressive development of anthropological theory. It will trace the discipline from its colonial origins through various paradigmatic shifts, revisions and refinements; exploring postmodern, post-colonial, feminist, relativist, and anti-relativist critiques and beyond. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.
4395 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY An elective in the anthropology minor. Upper division elective. This course examines anthropological subjects of interest that would otherwise be unavailable through traditional course offerings. Topics will vary. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: ANTH 1302.