Anthropology (ANTH/ANTH&)

Introduction for nonmajors to study of humans as biological and cultural beings. Includes surveys of archaeology and physical, cultural, and linguistic anthropology to examine human biological and cultural evolution, culture, and cultural systems. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

This course introduces students to the key concepts and methods utilized by archaeologists in the excavation, analysis, and interpretation of a variety of material evidence left by ancient societies and cultures. Students will engage in a series of practical exercises (labs) to gain hands-on experience with a variety of artifacts and techniques commonly utilized within the discipline. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

A survey of humankind from a biological perspective. Includes human evolution and variation, hominid phylogeny and taxonomic theory, and the interaction between human biology, behavior, and culture. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences, Elective)

Introduction to study of recent cultures and societies. Focus on development of anthropological thought, language, culture, and broad patterns of cultural behavior. Includes cross-cultural perspectives on belief systems, economic behavior, family, kinship, and sociopolitical structures. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

Provides a general view of the variations in the lifeways of the Native Americans up to current times. Major Native American culture areas are visited and discussed in a broad comparative context. We examine current indigenous and scientific thoughts about the origins, development and variation of North American Native culture areas. We also examine current issues and legal contexts, with a particular focus on cultural resource management (CRM) and the laws applied throughout North American and their continuing applications in attempts to protect cultural resources. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)

A global introduction to the religions of the world from a broad comparative perspective. Students examine the development and aspects of various religions (indigenous, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and others). The relationship between religion and the social and cultural context are explored, especially in relation to nationalism, politics and globalization. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)

This course examines a variety of burial practices found throughout the Ancient Near East and Mediterranean. Students will examine the similarities and differences in various burial practices and related religious beliefs not only across regions but also time periods. This course explores burial practices beginning in Late Neolithic through Early Medieval Period (4000 BCE thru 600 CE). This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)

Examines current indigenous and scientific thoughts about the origins, development and variation of Pacific Northwest cultures. We consider at least 12,000 years of cultural history in the Northwest Coast region, leading to one of the culturally most complex maritime societies to have existed into the contemporary times. Pacific Northwest Coast Peoples, rich in culture, tradition and with an extensive knowledge of the environment they occupy, are recorded with mile-long villages containing as many as 1,000 inhabitants, monumental construction in homes, canoes and art, and highly complex societies, consisting of nobles, commoners and slaves. We will discuss how these cultures shape modern life throughout this region today. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the theories, methodologies, and principles used in the examination of the origins and development of religious beliefs and practices ranging from the Paleolithic through Modern Period. Topics range from gender rites to rites of passage, from ritual feasting to ritual fasting, from normative practices to taboos, sacred landscapes to profane utterances. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

Students will participate in a two-week archaeological field school facilitated by the University of Leicester, at the Romano-British site of Irchester in the United Kingdom. During which time students will develop a variety of hands-on techniques, including but not limited to excavation, recording, and post-excavation analysis. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)