This course provides an overview of the 4-field discipline of Anthropology. Each of the four fields is covered in order to provide students with a broad-based introductory knowledge of Anthropology. The four topics include Archaeology (the study of the material remains of the past), Cultural Anthropology (the study of human diversity), Biological Anthropology (the study of the human body and human evolution), and Linguistics (the study of language).
every Spring
This course will highlight themes in contemporary anthropology such as stigma, gender, structural violence, inequality, and emphasize why looking at disease in the past is relevant and critical to the modern world. This course will explore the record and human experience of health, disease, and pandemics from an anthropological perspective. We will begin with a focus on the past as evidenced by historical/archaeological data before shifting to socio-cultural and medical anthropological framings of disease, illness, wellness, and suffering, all while maintaining attention to differing scales of disease experience (population, household, individual).
Special Topics in Anthropology.
In this class we will learn about the human skeleton and explore the key methods that are used in the identification of individuals, such as age-at-death estimation, sex determination, stature, ancestry, and personal identification. We will also deal with the assessment of differing types of trauma, and whether or not such trauma can inform us of the cause and manner of death. Finally, the broader ethical responsibilities of forensic anthropologists will be discussed, including discussions of how we determine (or, debate) race/ancestry, human rights abuses, disasters, criminal inquiries, and genocides.
Occasionally
In this course we will reflect and discuss ethical perspectives surrounding the handling, treatment, display, curation, trade, and research of human remains. In doing so, we will consider how ethical perspectives vary according to national, legal, spiritual, and cultural contexts. Additionally, we will consider debates on how the state of human remains, whether mummified, skeletonized, dissected, desiccated, etc., factors into ethical discussions on what is deemed permissible (or prohibited) in the handling of human remains.
Every Spring
Ever wondered about our human history? Fascinated by archaeological finds you hear about in the news? This course provides a world tour through time as we travel from our early origins in Africa through the cognitive development seen to emerge in the rock art caves of France. We then travel through the development of agriculture to the emergence of complex societies throughout prehistory. Explore Stonehenge, the Maya, Ancient Egypt, and more.
Every Spring and occasional Interims
Join us in a class that makes the strange familiar and the familiar strange. An anthropological study of diverse local and global cultures invites you to explore humanity. Explore religious perspectives, kinship systems, family practices, power structures, and so much more. This course delves into the Cultural sub-discipline of Anthropology while engaging students with skills necessary in a rapidly globalizing world.
Every Fall
We have all seen the mysteries of the past uncovered in documentaries but how do archaeologists know what they know? This course provides a methodological and theoretical introduction to how archaeologists make sense of material culture to reconstruct the lives of those in the past. Learn how we can reconstruct timelines, analyze artifacts, and read changing landscapes to better understand our deepest human prehistory.
Every Fall
Museums serve a critical function in modern society, acting as repositories of knowledge, culture, and history. Without museums, much of our cultural and historical heritage would be lost. Using this fundamental concept as an entry point, this course explores the history of the modern museum, its functions in contemporary society, and the roles that “museum professionals” play in their institutions and their communities. Through this exploration, students will be exposed to the concepts of cultural patrimony, (de)colonization, nationalism, inclusivity (and exclusivity), and ownership, and they will become familiar with the roles open to them as emerging professionals in the field of museum studies.
Only by independent scholarship as needed
This course is designed to provide a general introduction to Biological Anthropology. The course traces the nature of human evolution, the hominin past, including the study of primates. Further, it examines human skeletal remains as a means of understanding the evolutionary and archaeological past. Finally, the study of Forensics provides practical, real-world applications for the principles of Biological Anthropology.
Every Fall and Spring
Special Topics in Anthropology.
Zooarchaeology is the study of animal and human interactions through archaeological remains and context. Humans have interacted with animals as predators, prey, and even pets and hunting companions throughout prehistory into today. This course provides students with the skills to analyze animal remains, keep careful journal records, and report their findings verbally, visually, and in writing.
Every other Fall, odd years
Human Osteology examines the function and evolutionary history of the human skeleton. Students will explore how human bones articulate to create a dynamic biological system. The course introduces skeletal biology and the analysis of human skeletal remains, with applications in archaeological, forensic, and biomedical contexts. Students will engage in hands-on learning of human skeletal and dental anatomy, gaining insight into human evolution, health, and the lives of past communities.
This course provides an introduction to Cultural Resource Management (CRM), which comprises an estimated 80 percent of the professional archaeology conducted in the United States. This course will explore the broad range of laws that govern archaeological research in the public sector. Practical elements of doing CRM archaeology incorporated into the course include the importance of anthropological theory in CRM, development of regulation-driven research designs, production and evaluation of CRM reports, applying National Register criteria, evaluating significance, assessing effect, management of archaeological projects, phasing of archaeological research, curation of collections, ethical issues, and the concepts of traditional cultural properties and ownership of information about the past. A primary focus will be on the multiple stakeholders in these processes, including developers, archaeologists, and Indigenous groups, and it will lay the foundation for non-academic careers in archaeology.
Every other Spring, odd years
The Northern Plains of North America is a vast territory stretching from central Manitoba and Saskatchewan south to Nebraska, east to northern Iowa and west to the Rocky Mountains. It is a stark and harsh landscape but one with abundant streams, wildlife, and wild plants. These resources have sustained Native American populations for at least 12,000 years and continue to do so through the present day. This course will take a holistic approach to the study of the Great Plains through an archaeological perspective that includes Indigenous knowledge, viewpoints, and concerns. Emphasis will be placed on making connections between the culture, lifeways, and worldviews of past and contemporary Indigenous nations.
Occasionally
This four to five week field school offers basic instruction in all aspects of Archaeological Fieldwork. Students will be instructed in excavation, mapping, photography, plan view map drawing, as well as the initial processing of recovered artifacts.
Every Summer, Study away
Explore the archaeological and cultural landscape of the American Southwest. The Southwest is a region rich in archaeological sites and the descendent communities still live nearby. We explore the fragile ecosystems and the complicated history of the area. From canyons and rivers to Indian reservations and National Parks this course covers a wide web of geological and social complexity. This spring course includes an optional spring break travel component to Arizona’s Grand Canyon region.
Occasionally
Internship in Anthropology. Additional fees may apply.
Every Fall and Spring
Additional fees may apply.
Special Topics in Anthropology.
The anthropological research methods and theory class teaches students the fundamentals of Anthropological theory and it’s application to research. In this class students will design a research project in the sub field of their choice. Students will write a strong research proposal, carry out a research project, and deliver a final report and presentation on their findings. This experiential class is designed to train anthropologists for hands on interactive research to prepare them for fieldwork after graduation.
Anthropology Major or minor - to be taken junior or senior year
Every Spring