Anthropology is the systematic study of the humanity both past and present. The course introduces students to the four subfields of anthropology, which include archaeology, biological, linguistic and cultural anthropology. Students will learn about the concepts and methods that anthropologists use to study our species and gain a broader perspective on the human experience. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

This course provides a basic introduction to the broad field of biological anthropology. The research interests of biological anthropologists include the history and development of modern evolutionary biology, molecular and population genetics, modern primates, the primate and human fossil record, and modern human biological diversity. Biological Anthropology concentration students are required, and others are encouraged, to enroll concurrently in 1135L. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences.

This is an introductory course that provides an overview of cultural anthropology as a subfield within the broader discipline of anthropology and as a research approach within the social sciences more generally. The course presents core concepts and methods of cultural anthropology that are used to understand the ways in which human beings organize and experience their lives through distinctive cultural practices. More specifically, this course explores social and cultural differences and similarities around the world through a variety of topics such as: language and communication, economics, ways of making a living, marriage and family, kinship and descent, race, ethnicity, political organization, supernatural beliefs, sex and gender, and globalization. This course ultimately aims to present a broad range of perspectives and practices of various cultural groups from across the globe. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

This is an introductory course which provides an overview of the discipline of Linguistic Anthropology. The course will discuss the implications of language within anthropology, as well as within the sciences and social sciences more generally. The course explores the core concepts and methods of linguistic anthropology, such as the basic structure of language, first and second language acquisition, bilingualism, and social and regional variations that are used to help students understand what it means to be human and the role of language in human societies. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

This course introduces students to field and laboratory methods and techniques in archeology. Students learn the standards of archeological field recording, excavation techniques and field-related laboratory skills. Fieldwork is required. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences. Corequisite: 1211L.

This course explores the core principles of human biology from an integrated evolutionary framework, including perspectives from anatomy and physiology, ethnology, primatology, paleoanthropology, ecology, neuroscience, evolutionary medicine, and more.

Archaeology is the systematic study of the human past through material remains. This course introduces students to the physical remains of past societies and compares and contrasts archaeological development in different regions. Students will explore the dynamics of the human past and its influences on contemporary society. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

(Also offered as ARTH 506/406) Archaeological and historic art forms of the Plains, Southwest and western regions of North America. {Spring}

Topics from various areas of anthropological linguistics including, but not limited to, ethnosemantics, the ethnography of communication and the biology of language.

An intensive survey of Southwest prehistory including discussion of major interpretative problems. Covers the period from 11,000 years ago to historic times. {Fall}

Examines how flaked stone artifacts can be studied and contribute to archaeological research. Includes such topics as raw material procurement; manufacturing technology; tool morphology, function, and style; debitage; and theoretical frameworks. Restriction: admitted to Anthropology graduate program.

Current topics in ethnology to be explored in experimental seminars.

Current topics in sociocultural anthropology to be explored in experimental courses.

Recent trends in ethnological theory including processual analysis, structuralism, cognitive and symbolic anthropology, Marxist, feminist and interpretive approaches. {Fall}

A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.

Behavioral transitions throughout human evolution, including social systems, diet, life history, intelligence and locomotion. Focus on hominid origins, the transition from ape-like to human-like hominid, and the origin of our own species.

A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.

Advanced discussion of current theoretical debates in archaeology, including Processual and Post-processual paradigms, formation processes; middle-range, optimal foraging, evolutionary, hunter-gatherer mobility theories; cultural ecology; and origins of agriculture and complex society.

Basic concepts, methods and approaches in the analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites. Lectures cover history, theory and current applications of zooarchaeology. Labs provide practical experience in zooarchaeological identification and analysis.

(Also offered as ARTH, MSST 585/485) Theoretical and practical work in specific museum problems. May be repeated as subject matter changes. Prerequisite: ARTH 507 or MSST 507. {Offered upon demand}

(Also offered as ARTH, MSST 586/486) Practicum in museum methods and management. Prerequisite: ARTH 507 or MSST 507. Restriction: permission of instructor. {Offered upon demand}

Presents and interprets the earliest archeology of North America from the terminal Pleistocene through the early Holocene including relevant archeological evidence from eastern Eurasia and South America.

Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Restriction: admitted to M.A. Anthropology or M.S. Anthropology.

A faculty-supervised course culminating in a comprehensive paper or research proposal that integrates knowledge attained through coursework, research, and experience. Restriction: admitted to M.A. Anthropology or M.S. Anthropology.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Exploration and evaluation of practical anthropological research designs. Exhaustive preparation of realistic grant proposals for specific student-generated projects, with intensive group criticism.

Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Limited to graduate majors in the doctoral program.

A faculty-supervised course culminating in a comprehensive paper or research proposal that integrates knowledge attained through coursework, research, and experience. Limited to graduate majors in the doctoral program.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.