Courses Offered
Anthropology
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and can be subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement; (W) Writing requirement.
100. Social Anthropology. (S) Every Semester
An examination of fundamental categories and practices in social anthropology, giving special attention to anthropological methodologies, basic forms of social organization and the ways human beings generate particular social meanings through their aesthetic, economic, religious and political activities. Bastian, Cable, Nading, Slotta
102. Introduction to Archaeology. (S) Every Semester
An introductory survey of historic and prehistoric archaeology that examines how knowledge about the past is created, debated and sometimes abused. A survey of world prehistory from the earliest hominids through the rise of the first “civilizations” to expose the range of variation in past human social and political organization. Provides a global and comparative approach to better understand and appreciate this diversity. As we learn about the messages and lessons that archaeology has to offer, we should begin to think critically about our own society and reflect on the possibilities for its improvement. M. A. Levine, Schwake, Smith
125. First-Year Seminar: Great Mysteries of the Past. (S) (W) Fall 2012
Through a critical evaluation of several case studies, you will learn to separate fact from fantasy and science from pseudoscience as you unravel some of the most intriguing mysteries in archaeology. We will discuss how knowledge is constructed and how to assess the strengths of competing hypotheses. Some of the enigmatic case studies that we will explore and debate include the stone statues of Easter Island, the megalithic monuments at Stonehenge, the Nazca lines of Peru and the moundbuilders of North America. M. A. Levine
150. First-Year Seminar: Invisible Worlds. (S) (W) Fall 2013
In this First-Year Seminar, we will explore the “things that go bump in the night.” Some scholars have argued that we can learn a good deal about more visible social relations by paying careful attention to the stories groups tell about beings like ghosts and fairies. The seminar will test this theory through our exploration of texts, films and documentaries, as well as material drawn from other media. Some larger topics that will arise in this class include the social-historical construction of landscape, how people represent others through narrative and cultural concepts of gender. We will finish our seminar with consideration of the global appeal of a very famous invisible world, the magical reality of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Same as WGS 150. Bastian
170 – 179. Topics in Anthropology. (S)
Lecture courses or seminars on theoretical or ethnographic subjects of current interest.
200. Anthropological Theory. (S)
The history of anthropological thought up to the present. The meaning and purpose of thinking theoretically. This course serves as the prerequisite to most 300-level courses in Anthropology. Prerequisite: ANT 100 or permission of the instructor. Bastian.
205. Archaeometry: Natural Sciences as Applied to Archaeology. (N) Spring 2014
Application of methods from the natural sciences to study of archaeological environments and artifacts. Scientific principles underlying techniques; application to archaeological problems. Major topics include: dating methods; analysis and characterization of artifacts; location of sites and features within sites; paleoenvironment and paleoecology. Prerequisite: one archaeology course and one lab science course, or permission of the instructor. Same as GEO 205. Sternberg
212. Language, Power and Society. (S) Fall 2014
Language has captivated scholars for the insights it provides into human behavior and interactions. Through language we unite with some, while differentiating from others. Understanding language is crucial to understanding culture. This course provides a survey of the uses of language in anthropology, investigating how people use language to define themselves and the world around them and how language communicates far more than the content of words. Prerequisite: ANT 100 or permission of the instructor. Slotta.
215. Women in Society. (S) Fall 2014
How gender roles affect women’s participation in political, ritual, economic and other social relations. The course materials will include detailed ethnographic work on specific societies and will maintain a theoretical perspective informed by contemporary gender studies. Prerequisite: ANT 100. Same Staff as WGS 215.
250. Witchcraft and Sorcery in a Global Context. (S) Spring 2013
In this course we will consider how the categories of “witchcraft” and “sorcery” have been used in Anthropology, both to describe mystical acts (particularly mystical attacks) and as an ethnographic metaphor to discuss the pressures of communal life for individuals. Course content will consist of, but not be limited to, witchcraft and sorcery as a “social strain gauge,” witchcraft and sorcery as expressions of symbolic power, the gendered name of witchcraft and sorcery, as well as witchcraft and sorcery under conditions of Western-style modernity. Same as AFS/RST/WGS 250. Bastian
258. People and Cultures of East Asia. (NW) (S) (Culture Area) Spring 2013
This course introduces students to the cultures of China, Korea, and Japan. Through primary sources (in translation), films, and ethnographies, this course will examine the shared cultural backgrounds of the region as well as how each country has made modifications to fit their own society. Topics include the mainstream philosophical traditions of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, as well as such complex issues as the individual and society, ethnicity and nationalism, and gender. Cable
260. Archaeology of North America. (NW) (S) (Culture Area) Spring 2013
This course surveys the prehistory of Native American peoples in Canada and the United States from their arrival on this continent more than 12,000 years ago to their encounters with Europeans. Through the use of a regional approach to the study of indigenous peoples, this course will survey a wide variety of prehistoric Native American peoples including those in the Arctic, Northwest coast, Southwest and Northeast. By uncovering the diversity of Native American lifeways in the past, this course provides the foundation for understanding the rich heritage of contemporary Native American peoples. Prerequisites: ANT100, ANT102 or permission of the instructor. M. A. Levine
261. North American Indians of the Eastern Woodlands. (NW) (S) (Culture Area) Fall 2013
A survey of the past and present diversity of indigenous peoples in the Eastern Woodlands of the United States and Canada. The focus is on the prehistoric archaeology of the region, the consequences of European colonization on native groups and the struggles and achievements of indigenous peoples today. An examination of issues ranging from the controversy that surrounds the initial settlement of the Eastern Woodlands by Native Americans to contemporary debates on federal recognition and sovereignty. Prerequisite: ANT 100 or 102. Same as AMS 261. M. A. Levine
267. Peoples and Cultures of Africa. (NW) (S) (Culture Area). Fall 2013
Social and historical practices of various African cultures, with a special emphasis on sub-Saharan groups. Topics considered will include the intersections between political economy, performances, religion, art, and popular media on the continent. Prerequisite: ANT 100. Same as AFS 267. Bastian
270 – 279. Topics in Anthropology. (S)
Lecture courses or seminars on theoretical or ethnographic subjects of current interest.
290. Independent Study.
330. Anthropological Studies of Religion. (S) Fall 2013
This course takes account of various aspects of religious and ritual practice, using material from both contemporary and classic ethnographies. Topics of special interest for the course will include, but not be limited to: cosmological constructions; initiation; possession; commensality; magic; witchcraft and sorcery; ritual aesthetics; and performance. Prerequisite: ANT 200. Same as RST 330. Bastian.
340. Anthropology of Wealth and Poverty. (S) Spring 2014
Anthropological approaches to the relationship between economy and society, including intensive readings of theoretical and empirical literature. Topics include: the nature of rationality; Marxist and non-Marxist political economy; the nature and role of production and exchange; class-conflict; colonialism; and the making of the Third World. Prerequisite: ANT 200 or permission of the instructor. Billig.
342. Class and Culture. (S) Spring 2015
Is it better to like opera than NASCAR? Are such choices purely a matter of individual taste? This course examines the way tastes, habits and manners are formed within the context of class and status and also the way class and status are reproduced by such distinctions. Readings consist of theoretical literature, ethnographies and fiction focusing mainly on the U.S. Prerequisite: ANT200 or permission of the instructor. Billig
350. Anthropology of Tourism. (S) Fall 2012
This course analyzes tourism as a cultural phenomenon through issues such as the origin of tourism, authenticity and the commodification of culture, the exotic “other,” gender, and sustainable or responsible tourism. Through films, lectures, readings, and discussions, we will explore the impact of tourism on both the hosts and the guests as we look at what has become the world’s largest industry. Prerequisite: ANT 200. Cable
355. The Body. (S) Spring 2014
Examines contemporary theoretical and ethnographic discussions relating to the human body. Topics covered will include social constructions of gender, reproduction and reproductive technologies, cultural ideologies of sexuality, social inscriptions on the body, “the body in extremis,” cultural depositions of the corpse and what some might call hybrid, cyborg or even virtual bodies. Prerequisite: ANT 200 or permission of the instructor. Same as WGS 355. Bastian
Spring 2013 360. Language and Culture. (S)
This course focuses on themes that explore the link between culture and language, including the processes of language change, different visions of literacy and the relationship of technology to language. It also addresses more theoretical concerns, such as language ideology and power and resistance. Readings vary from densely theoretical to richly ethnographic. Prerequisites: ANT 200 or permission of the instructor. Slotta
365. Queens, Goddesses and Archaeology. (S) Fall 2012
This course will consider how archaeologists examine gender and interpret the roles of women in ancient subsistence economies, politics and religions. To achieve this goal we will discuss the roles of women in egalitarian and stratified societies and explore the actions and status of both high- ranking and everyday women in the ancient world. Prerequisites: ANT 100, ANT 102, ANT 200 or permission of the instructor. Same as WGS 365. M. A. Levine
370 – 379. Topics in Anthropology. (S)
Lecture courses or seminars on theoretical or ethnographic subjects of current interest.
390. Independent Study.
410. Anthropological Methods. (S) Every Fall
A practicum in anthropological fieldwork, including exercises in participant observation, interviewing, framing a research question, analysis and interpretation of data. Prerequisite: ANT 200. Bastian, Nading
411. Archaeological Methods. (S) Fall 2012
This course will provide students with hands-on training in archaeological field and laboratory methods. In the first half of the semester, participants will travel to a local field site and learn techniques of archaeological data recovery, including survey, mapping and excavation. In the second half of the course, the focus will be on lab analysis, including the processing and interpretation of artifacts recovered during the field component of the course. Special attention will be given to computer techniques applicable to archaeological analysis. Students should expect to spend time M. A. Levine, Smith outdoors and to dedicate at least one or two weekend days to field trips.
470 – 479. Topics in Anthropology. (S)
Lecture courses or seminars on theoretical or ethnographic subjects of current interest. Prerequisite: one course from the 200-level.
490. Independent Study.
Senior level independent study directed by the Anthropology staff. Permission of chairperson.
Topics Courses Expected To Be Offered In 2012 – 2013
Anthropology of Mesoamerica.
Anthropology and the Environment.
Archaeology of Death.
Peoples and Cultures of the Andes.
Medical Anthropology.
Archaeology of Space and Place.
