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.

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

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.

Application of quantitative methods to archaeological questions and data. Lectures cover statistical tests common in archaeological analysis and their proper use. Labs provide hands-on experience in quantitative data analysis.

An overview of the prehistory of Europe from its initial settlement through the first farming societies. An undergraduate version of this course may be offered as ANTH 325.

Current topics in ethnology to be explored in experimental seminars.

Culture and history of indigenous peoples of South America. Selected examples from lowland and highlands regions. An undergraduate version of this course may be offered as ANTH 332.

This class contextualizes issues of complex social violence in Colombia by both a broad attention to Colombian history, society and culture, and by literatures that address various kinds of identity formation and dynamism.

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

(Also offered as ANTH 444, BIOL 444/544, EPS 444/544, GEOG 444/544, MSST 444/544.) Interdisciplinary overview of how science museum resources are used to study change in human communities, natural, and physical systems over space and time. Course activities emphasize materials science, data science, and team science. Restriction: instructor Permission.

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

This course examines theory, data and methods used by genetic anthropologists to address questions about human origins and prehistory, race, natural selection, disease, and the social and scientific implications of research in genetic anthropology. Prerequisite: 1135 or BIOL 1110 or BIOL 1140 or BIOL 2110C or BIOL 2410C.

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 used in the analysis of archaeological pottery. Lectures cover concepts and strategies. Labs give practical experience with techniques of analysis.

This class explores ethical issues and debates surrounding heritage-making practices and discourses through lens of ethnological, archaeological, and evolutionary anthropology. It problematizes the boundaries between different constructions of the past and present.

The course will teach professional skills and facilitate faculty-student communication. It will be comprised of 16 one hour seminars conducted by faculty members from each subfield in collaboration with senior graduate students.

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.

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.