Courses
Fall 2011ANTH 4540/6540: Health, Biology, and Culture: Introduction to Medical Anthropology Download PDF
Introduction to medical anthropology from an ecological and biocultural perspective. Drawing from theory and case studies, we focus on the interaction between environment, biology, culture, and society as determinants of health and health problems.
Not offered on a regular basis.
Variation in human culture and biology from the earliest beginnings to the present, including relationships between human biology, culture, and the environment, and an understanding of contemporary cultural differences.
ANTH 1102: Introduction to Anthropology Download PDFNot open to students with credit in ANTH 2120H.
Variation in human culture and biology from the earliest beginnings to the present, including relationships between human biology, culture, and the environment, and an understanding of contemporary cultural differences.
Variation in human culture and biology from the earliest beginnings to the present, including relationships between human biology, culture, and the environment, and an understanding of contemporary cultural differences.
Offered fall and spring semesters every year.
Variation in human culture and biology from the earliest beginnings to the present, including relationships between human biology, culture, and the environment, and an understanding of contemporary cultural differences.
Offered fall and spring semesters every year.
Exploration of the complete story of human evolution, from our origins in Africa, our affinities with all primates, and our modern biological and cultural adaptations.
Offered every year.
Basic concepts and principles of archaeology. Topics covered include history of archaeology, site formation processes, survey and excavation techniques, artifact typology and analysis, chronology, activity analysis, and general archaeological theory.
ANTH 3265: Cultural Anthropology Download PDFTopical and theoretical overview of cultural anthropology and ethnography, including explaining culture and cultural diversity; cultural categories such as race, ethnicity, and gender; social institutions such as marriage, family, religion, and law; and food production and exchange. Critical thinking about colonialist, capitalist, and modernist biases in international politics, development, and conservation.
ANTH 3541: Anthropology of Eating: Environment, History, Culture and Politics Download PDFBiocultural aspects of cuisines, taste preferences, political economy of food and body image; cultural and social aspects of food, eating, and food habits, such as cultural identity and social meanings of food.
Offered every year.
Two indigenous urban societies of the Americas, from farming village beginnings to the Spanish conquest, and their lasting impact on modern middle American culture. Topics include ecology, economy, political organization, urbanism, militarism, beliefs, art, architecture, and literature.
ANTH 4560: Anthropology and Development Download PDFRelationships among development, culture and environment from the world system perspective. Concepts of dependence, hegemony, inequality, and resistance are brought to bear in exploring interlinkages between (and among) underdevelopment, resource exploitation, and local autonomy and self-reliance.
ANTH 4900: The Archaeology of Warfare and Violent Conflict Download PDFIn this course we will explore the origins, causes and consequences of warfare and violent conflict
in human societies. What role did conflict play in the evolution of human cultures? What was the
nature of warfare in societies with varying degrees of social complexity? Our overall aim will be to
gain a broad understanding of the range of variation in which warfare and human societies have
influenced one another.
This seminar course focuses on cross-cultural notions of the body, health and illness, and healing
practices as local and social phenomena. This anthropological approach to the study of so-called “folk”
or “traditional” health beliefs and practices will be highly attentive to the effects of globalization and
modernity on local ideas of health and approaches to healing. We will consider “folk” illnesses and
explore the ways biomedical concepts are incorporated into traditional modes of healing (such as the
integration of pharmaceuticals into existing pharmacopeias). We will also examine the ways that
traditional healing systems (such as acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine) are being exported (and
adapted) for consumption by Western audiences.
Anthropological approaches to the world's major religions as they relate to complex societies.
Not applicable: First-Year Seminar; Archaeological Discoveries Download PDFMost human experience lies in the past and most of our past is unknown, so in effect we do not know much about ourselves. Archaeology is the key to a great portion of human experience. Yes, archaeology has its exciting moments--but is it relevant? This seminar explores famous and not-so-famous archaeological discoveries and asks, What makes this a discovery? Do these things matter? Why or why not? In what ways? Examples will come from a wide range of world areas and time periods.
