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.

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.

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.

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.

This class explores different ways of studying and interpreting the past through a survey of archaeology’s historical, theoretical, and methodological development. If you are interested in archaeology as a career (or even just trying out an archaeological field school), this course is critical: it will provide you with the basic tools for conducting archaeological research and with an understanding of the background of the discipline. For this reason, this course is required for Anthropology majors with an Archaeology concentration. Even if you know you don’t want to be an archaeologist, though, this class may interest you. Have you ever wondered how archaeologists know what they know about the past? Are you skeptical about some archaeological claims? Have you ever read a statement about the past and thought, “is this really true?” This class will provide you with the skills, both conceptual and practical, to answer those questions.

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.

A survey of past archaeological cultures across the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico beginning with the initial occupation of humans in the region but focusing on the period from 500 to 2500 years ago. This course provides students with an overview of broad patterns in subsistence, technology, sociopolitical organization, and ritual practice. An emphasis is placed on major culture areas and sites. May include fieldtrips and hands-on activities.

Comparative approach to origin and development of stratified societies and pristine states as known from the archaeological record.

Current topics in ethnology to be explored in experimental seminars.

Ethnographic studies and a variety of anthropological approaches to ritual are read to examine the defining characteristics of ritual activity and its contemporary significance in peoples' lives. {Offered annually}

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

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.

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.

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.