This course introduces students to the study of human evolution including the concepts, methods of inquiry, and scientific explanations for biological evolution and their application to the human species. Issues and topics will include, but are not limited to, genetics, evolutionary theory, human variation and biocultural adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. The scientific method serves as foundation of the course. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of "C" or “P" or better.

This course introduces students to the study of human evolution including the concepts, methods of inquiry, and scientific explanations for biological evolution and their application to the human species. Issues and topics will include, but are not limited to, genetics, evolutionary theory, human variation and biocultural adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. The scientific method serves as foundation of the course. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of "C" or better or “P.”.

This laboratory course is offered as a supplement to Introduction to Biological Anthropology, either taken concurrently or in a subsequent term. Laboratory exercises are designed to introduce students to the scientific method and explore genetics, human variation, human and non-human behavior, the primate/hominin fossil record and other resources to investigate processes that affect human evolution.

This course explores how anthropologists study and compare human culture. Cultural anthropologists seek to understand the broad arc of human experience focusing on a set of central issues: how people around the world make their living (subsistence patterns); how they organize themselves socially, politically and economically; how they communicate; how they relate to each other through family and kinship ties; what they believe about the world (belief systems); how they express themselves creatively (expressive culture); how they make distinctions among themselves such as through applying gender, racial and ethnic identity labels; how they have shaped and been shaped by social inequalities such as colonialism; and how they navigate culture change and processes of globalization that affect us all. Ethnographic case studies highlight these similarities and differences, and introduce students to how anthropologists do their work, employ professional anthropological research ethics and apply their perspectives and skills to understand humans around the globe. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of "C" or better or “P.”.

This course explores how anthropologists study and compare human culture. Cultural anthropologists seek to understand the broad arc of human experience focusing on a set of central issues: how people around the world make their living (subsistence patterns); how they organize themselves socially, politically and economically; how they communicate; how they relate to each other through family and kinship ties; what they believe about the world (belief systems); how they express themselves creatively (expressive culture); how they make distinctions among themselves such as through applying gender, racial and ethnic identity labels; how they have shaped and been shaped by social inequalities such as colonialism; and how they navigate culture change and processes of globalization that affect us all. Ethnographic case studies highlight these similarities and differences, and introduce students to how anthropologists do their work, employ professional anthropological research ethics and apply their perspectives and skills to understand humans around the globe. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of "C" or better or “P.".

Archaeology involves the study of past societies, their practices, beliefs and behaviors as deduced through the excavation, analysis and interpretation of their material remains. We will explore specific cultures that may include the Aztecs, Maya, Incas, Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and specific sites that may include Teotihuacan, the Pyramids of Giza, Jericho, Gobekli Tepe, Uruk, Stonehenge and the Parthenon. This course is an introduction to the study of concepts, theories, data and models of anthropological archaeology that contribute to our knowledge of the human past. The course includes a discussion of the nature of scientific inquiry; the history and interdisciplinary nature of archaeological research; dating techniques; methods of survey, excavation, analysis, and interpretation; cultural resource management; professional ethics; and selected cultural sequences.

Understandings of sex, gender, and sexuality profoundly impact the human experience by shaping how we understand our bodies and how we interact with others. This course introduces students to the anthropological study of sex, gender and sexuality, emphasizing both the biological and cultural aspects of these categories. Through a range of ethnographic material, we explore how understandings of sex, gender and sexuality differ cross-culturally and how these understandings shape human lives. Topics that we will cover may include biological understandings of sex, the cultural construction of gender, gender roles and division of labor, sexuality, the body, ritual, religion, kinship, discrimination and resistance, reproduction and the state.

Psychological anthropology examines the relationship between culture and psychology. It draws from both anthropology and psychology to explore the complex relationships between the social and the individual. Through the use of ethnographic sources, anthropological and psychological theory, films and other readings, we employ a cross-cultural perspective to consider how culture impacts behavior, understandings of mental health, identity, cognition, personality, perception, and self.

Through ethnography, story and artifact, this course explores the anthropology of Native Americans from prehistory to the present. Utilizing an anthropological and Native American Studies perspective, we examine sociocultural issues relevant to Native Americans such as economics, language, religion, identity, politics, and cultural change. Special attention will be given to the contributions of Native Americans to the field of anthropology and to the broader culture of the United States. Emphasis will also be placed on the impact of European colonialism and on contemporary issues such as discrimination, the struggle for sovereignty, and land rights.

Culture is a central part of all human life. It shapes our identity, our worldview, and how we make sense of the world. Yet in an increasingly globalized world, cultures are rapidly changing as they come into contact with global economies, media, and transnational social forces. Through the use of ethnographic sources, films, and anthropological theory, this course emphasizes intensive study of select ethnographic regions around the globe and across time, paying particular attention to processes of cultural change, diffusion and the impact of globalization. We conduct in-depth analyses of the practices and beliefs of these cultures and consider how cultural change is impacting their lives. Topics covered will include ethnic and religious conflict, economic inequality, borders and migration, development, globalization, colonialism, environmental damage, and transnational social movements.

Religion and magic are human universals. Anthropologists study contemporary religions and religious consciousness to help reconstruct religions in prehistory, as well as for an understanding of the modern world and of the human mind. The student will be introduced to a fascinating variety of rites, rituals, religious movements, symbolic systems, as well as anthropological theories about religion. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of "C" or better or “P.”.

Religion and magic are human universals. Anthropologists study contemporary religions and religious consciousness to help reconstruct religions in prehistory, as well as for an understanding of the modern world and of the human mind. The student will be introduced to a fascinating variety of rites, rituals, religious movements, symbolic systems, as well as anthropological theories about religion. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of "C" or better or “P.”.

This course introduces students to the early civilizations of North America, South America, and Mesoamerica. Through archaeological analysis, including the analysis of human remains, artifacts and historical documents, we will explore the origins, development and culture of these societies including the Maya, Aztecs, Inca, Olmecs and Paleo-Indians.

This course explores the richness and diversity of African American culture and experience in the Americas from the 1600’s to the present. Utilizing an anthropological perspective, the course will critically explore concepts like race, identity, diaspora, discrimination, marginalization and hybridity while paying particular attention to the significant impact that African Americans have had on American culture as a whole. Topics for discussion will include the influences of Yoruba culture, slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, Pan-Africanism, civil rights, the Black Power movement, the Black Panthers, blues, jazz, poetry, sports, literature, and the culture of Hip Hop.

This introductory course serves as a foundation for understanding language from an anthropological perspective, addressing such core questions as how, what, when, where, why and with whom do we communicate. This course surveys three core areas in linguistic anthropology--structural linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, as well as the complex biocultural interface of the brain and genetics in language production; historical linguistics: origins and evolution/change, dialects, and language families; and sociocultural linguistics: language acquisition in cultural context, emphasizing the relationship between language and culture, and issues of language conservation.

Science and technology have the potential to improve our lives, yet they also challenge the basic values of our humanity. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, this course explores the impact of science and technology on human culture, history, and understanding. Through critical engagement with scientific and social theory we explore how science and technology impact human cultures and values and we question what these developments mean for human societies in a global context. We explore topics such as global climate change, pollution, the nature of knowledge, science and gender, surveillance and security, nuclear energy, fracking, weapons of mass destruction, communications, the internet, hacking, genetic modification, space exploration, cosmology, cloning, artificial intelligence and medicine.

Forensic science is the study and application of science to the investigation of criminal and civil cases in the criminal justice system. This course introduces students to the scientific method and to the use of applied science from disciplines including anthropology, biology, chemistry, entomology, physics and others to benefit legal processes and investigations. Topics to be addressed will include the crime scene, blood pattern analysis, forensic pathology, toxicology, forensic anthropology, entomology, DNA and serology, fingerprints, criminal profiling, ballistics, fire and explosion investigation, tool marks and trace evidence.

Borders and borderlands define territories and identity while simultaneously calling them into question. Utilizing an interdisciplinary perspective that includes ethnic studies, Chicana/o studies, anthropology, border studies, history, political science and other disciplines, this course explores both physical and conceptual borders and borderlands with an emphasis on first person narratives, generalizing to universal themes of change, globalization, conflict, motivation and movement across borders. Using the US/Mexico borderlands as our foundation, this course explores borders and borderlands through a range of ethnographic, narrative and theoretical works. We will analyze specific borderlands and borderland identities while considering the themes of hybridity, gender, sexuality, marginalization, economics, immigration, labor flows, travel, pollution, environmental change, media, conflict and cooperation.

Designed for students interested in furthering their knowledge of Anthropology on an independent basis. Assigned problems will involve library, lab, and field work.