Courses

Anthropology

0403-Approaches in Cultural Anthropology 3 s.h.

Examination of the major theoretical debates that have informed cultural anthropology by analyzing how these perspectives have shaped the development of the ethnographic form. Topics include: structural-functionalism, professional and symbolic approaches, political economy, gender theory and post-structuralism.

0404-Approaches in Linguistics 3 s.h.

Overview of theoretical and methodological approaches employed in the analysis of the intersections among language, thought, culture, and social structure. Views language as a form of cognitive, social, and cultural behavior, embedded in social action, and interconnected with the processes of social, cultural, material, and educational reproduction. Review of traditions in language study and the foundations of linguistic anthropology and examines major approaches employed in the anthropological study of linguistic and communicative practices. Spoken language remains the focus of the course; its relationship with other modes of communication will be explored. Four major functions of language examined in detail, viz. (1) as a means of communication; (2) as a commodity of value; (3) as a means of production; and (4) as a medium of power.

0405-Approaches in Physical Anthropology 3 s.h.

Survey of theories and methodologies used in physical anthropology. Development of physical anthropological theory and practice, genetics, hominid evolution, human population variation, primate history and ethnology, ecology, demography, and physiological anthropology.

0406-Approaches in Archaeology 3 s.h.

Explication of contemporary theoretical perspectives in archaeology, relation with broader intellectual and social movements, and implications. Examines relation between theory and practice, investigating how human history, development of ancient societies, as revealed in the archaeological record, is constructed in terms of distinctive theories of society.

0408-Approaches to the Anthropology of Visual Communication 3 s.h.

General introduction to the Anthropology of Visual Communication. The course has a survey approach; the theoretical overview is grounded in a perspective that applies concepts of culture to processes of visual communication.

0409-Topics in the Anthropology of Visual Communication 3 s.h.

Examination of an anthropological approach to the study of the uses of the body, space, and the built environment, film, photographic, and television theories of construction and reception, art and aesthetics, cyberspace, and museums.

0411-Teaching of Anthropology 3 s.h.

Methods and problems in the teaching of college level introductory anthropology. Introduction to professional membership in an academic community and applying anthropological teaching in non-academic contexts. Required for all anthropology teaching assistants.

0412-Medical Anthropology 3 s.h.

Examines biocultural and sociocultural approaches to the understanding of multiplex human experiences of health, disease, and affliction. Introduction to the major theoretical schools and critical issues of contemporary medical anthropology. Explores six topical areas: biocultural perspectives on disease and health; ethnomedicine; medical pluralism; medicine and social control; international health development; and the relationships between culture/ society and scientific biomedical representations.

0415-Anthropology and Social Policy 3 s.h.

Examines "applied" domain and different ways of "using" anthropological knowledge, ranging from critiques of international and federal social policies as products of the state and private interests to participative anthropology that moves toward political action and empowerment, to working for the state and private corporate centers as a way to make a living. Evaluates the efficacy of different types of work for progressive social change and examines the possibilities of how to make our research matter more in relation to major public issues.

0501-History of Anthropological Theory 3 s.h.

Clarifies various intellectual currents in contemporary anthropology, their relationships to intellectual and social developments, and debates in the broader society. Concerned with the development of anthropological thought as it has been shaped by Western society and the emergence of various intellectual tendencies. Surveys the antecedents of anthropology in the major intellectual currents of the early modern era and its crystallization during the Age of Revolution. Focuses in detail on what happened after the social sciences were professionalized in the late 19th century.

0507-Semiotics of Language and Visual Media 3 s.h.

Cross-cultural comparative studies of verbal, written, visual, and materials signs and symbols in literate and nonliterate societies and their uses and functions in storing, retrieving, and transmitting knowledge, while also reflecting, transmitting, and maintaining the users' cultural values and patterns of relationships. Special attention given to the idea that communicative signs and symbols provide more than referential and indexical functions; they are also a system of values and a medium of power. Provides (1) critical examination of the development of theories about the relationship between verbal, written, visual, and material symbols, and (2) ideology, power, and political hegemony. Theories and ideas tested on selected case studies, including cases originally not subjected directly to semiotic analysis.

0510-Fieldwork in Ethnography 3 s.h.

Considers the methodology employed and the problems encountered in conducting ethnographic fieldwork. Each student will be expected to design and carry out a local field project

0513-Seminar in Cultural Anthropology 3 s.h.

A seminar oriented to specific research issues. Topics vary from semester to semester.

0515-Ther. + Meth. in Cult. Antropology 3 s.h.

0516-Reading Ethnography 3 s.h.

Devoted to reading and discussing a wide range of classic and contemporary ethnographies with the goals of: (1) illustrating the ways in which ethnographies have contributed to the development of anthropological theories; (2) providing some coverage of major cultural traditions or culture areas outside of Europe; (3) discussing how ethnographies can be used in undergraduate teaching; and (4) analyzing how the ethnographic process has changed in the postmodern, postcolonial world.

0520-Field Session in Archaeology 3 s.h.

Techniques and concepts of field archaeology. Students will be expected to spend the greatest part of the session in the field during the excavation of a prehistoric occupation site.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

0521-Methods of Archaeology 3 s.h.

Methods and procedures used in the practice of archaeology with topical foci varying by semester. In the past, for example, the course has focused on heritage management - how governments manage evidence of the past cultural resources on behalf of the public - emphasizing practice in North America, legislation, state and federal review procedures, the phased approach to archaeological and historical research, proposal writing, and interaction with clients. Majority of funding and job opportunities worldwide falls under heritage management.

0522-Indigenous Self Representation and Videography 3 s.h.

Critically reviews the relationships between ethnographic monographs and ethnographic film with the indigenous forms of self representation, film, photography, and art. Primary focus is the new medium of video generated visual texts. Native, minority, emergent, and elite texts of various societies will be compared with each other as well as with similar forms of visual representation in contemporary western societies

0524-Genetic Basis of Human Variations 3 s.h.

Explores the hereditary variation in our species and its special relationship to disease incidences and susceptibilities. Emphasis on contrast between adaptations of traditional societies to infectious disease loads and contemporary societies with degenerative disease loads, and the genetic susceptibilities concerned.

0525-Biocultural Adaptation in Human Populations 3 s.h.

This course explores the manner in which the adaptation concept has been used in cultural and biological anthropology. Evaluations of optimization models, thermodynamic models, evolutionary stable strategy theory, cultural materialism and selection models are conducted in a seminar format. Discussions will focus on the extent to which the behavioral and biological characteristics of human populations can be explained in an "adaptive" context. Students will critique specific models and the way they have been applied to groups living in stressful environments.

0526-Methods in Physical Anthropology 3 s.h.

Methodological training for graduate students in physical anthropology and the Biocultural adaptation program. Topics include population genetics and demography, osteology, energy flow models, and human physiology.

0527-Physiol Basis in Human Var. 3 s.h.

0528-Theory + Meth. In Cult. And Comm. 3 s.h.

0532-Anthropological Photography 3 s.h.

A review of the major photographic styles used for anthropological photography, and analysis of the role of photography in anthropology.

0533-Anthropology and Film 3 s.h.

Critical examination of the ethnographic/anthropological film literature. A number of filmmakers (Vertov, Rouche, Marker, MacDougall, and Deren) will be explored in detail. The purpose is to explore the possibility of an anthropological cinema. The seminar is primarily designed for advanced undergraduates in the visual anthropology track and graduate students in the anthropology of visual communication program.

0534-Approaches in the Production of Ethnographic Film 3 s.h.

Concentrates on the development of production skills and the application of more complex techniques in the making of anthropologically significant visual texts. These techniques demonstrate why different methods and strategies are appropriate when films and other visual texts pursue different objectives.

0536-Anthropology in Feature Films 3 s.h.

An examination of how Hollywood feature films treat topics, themes and people familiar to anthropological scholarship. A constructivist position is applied to mass communicated imagery, media socialization, stereotype formation and maintenance, themes of representation as related to viewer response theory, genre demand characteristics, social construction of credibility and "otherness."

0538-The Anthropology of Public Culture 3 s.h.

Explores museums, exhibitions, galleries and festivals as a form of public culture. Activities include critical reading of relevant literature and an examination of films, CD-ROM's, Internet web sites as well as field trips to local institutions.

0548-Marxist Perspectives in Anthropology 3 s.h.

Concerned with the theoretical and methodological contributions of Marxist thought to the study and understanding of the structure, development, and transformation of human societies. In addition to selected works of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, materials relating to recent development theories are studied in relation to anthropology and its place in the modern world.

0549-Social and Cultural Change 3 s.h.

Examines alternative theories of society and explanations of change and development: (1) to expose the network of assumptions underlying various theories of change and to investigate their implications, (2) to show the commonality of social thought in different societies and to challenge notions about the uniqueness of Western thought, (3) to examine selected instances of historical change and transformation: alternate roads of socioeconomic development, and the colonial encounter and decolonization.

0555-Gender Theory 3 s.h.

Explores anthropological literature on gender as a means of exposing the hidden assumptions about power, language, and gender that inform anthropological theory. Theoretical critiques of this literature will be used to reassess anthropology and to generate a systematic approach to the study of gender.

0561-Contemporary Perspectives in Urban Anthropology 3 s.h.

Examines the development of urban anthropology from the early debates of the 1970s to redefinitions in the 1980s. The emerging paradigm of intensive studies of local social processes within larger macrostructural contexts is the focus.

0570-Comparative Early Civilizations 3 s.h.

Comparative analysis of the rise of civilizations (state-based societies). Examines archaeological and historical information to investigate the transformation of kin-organized communities into class-stratified societies with state machines. Considers the internal dynamics of kin-organized communities with food-producing economies and the capacity to produce surplus goods and labor as well as the foundational role they play in the rise of states. Explores the contradictions and developmental potential of tributary states.

0580-Seminar in Evolutionary Biology 3 s.h.

In-depth review of the synthetic theory of evolution, and special topics in evolutionary theory. Emphasis placed on human evolution, human biocultural adaptation, and evolutionary biology.

0591-Sociolinguistics 3 s.h.

Interdisciplinary study of the intersection between language and social structure, focusing on the role of language in the processes by which societies and social groups reproduce themselves socially, culturally, and materially. Language (spoken and written), images (still and dynamic) and related forms of communicative practice are viewed not simply as "tests" but also as commodities of value, as a means of production, and as power. Language remains the focus of the course; its relationship to other modes of communication is explored, paying particular attention to the sociolinguistics of visual communication. The ultimate goal of the course is to develop a framework theory.

0594-Ethnolinguistics 3 s.h.

0598-Independent Study variable credit

Special study on a particular aspect of anthropology under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member. No more than six semester hours can be counted toward degree requirements.

Prerequisite: departmental approval.

0599-Independent Study variable credit

Special study on a particular aspect of anthropology under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member. No more than six semester hours can be counted toward degree requirements.

Prerequisite: departmental approval.

0613-Problems in Ethnology 3 s.h.

Reading and analysis of key ethnographic texts. Major topics include: development of ethnography as a genre in the 20th-century; regional patterns in ethnographic data and their relation to theory formation; postmodern critiques of ethnography; the influence of ethnography on other disciplines; and the use of ethnographics in teaching anthropology.

0623-Problems in Archaeology 3 s.h.

Consideration of special theoretical and methodological problems in archaeology. Topical and area emphasis varies by semester.

0644-Sem. In Epressive Cult. 3 s.h.

0648-Comparative Political Economy 3 s.h.

Concerned with developing a more textured understanding of Marxist political economy and an appreciation of its significance for informing an anthropological perspective in a period of intense class and state formation and distinction. Emphasis varies by semester.

0660-Advanced Research in Urban Ethnography 3 s.h.

For students who do research analysis in urban environments with emphasis on field techniques, research design, and interpretation data.

0677-Archaeological Inference 3 s.h.

Examines the nature of archaeological data, and the relationship of such data to current archaeological and anthropological theory. Builds upon the foundation established in ANT 406, Approaches in Archaeology, and specifically addresses the issue of how to operationalize the variety of research strategies in use in contemporary archaeology.

0691-Master's Essay 3 s.h.

Students who are doing research and writing for their M.A. thesis should register for this class. Credit does not count toward either the 24 s.h. requirement for MAs or the 48 s.h. requirement for the Ph.D.

0692-Master's Essay 3 s.h.

0712-Quant. Anal. Antro. Data 3 s.h.

0729-Problems in the Anthropology of Visual Communication 3 s.h.

Advanced seminar devoted to problematic aspects of visual media, research, fieldwork, production, exposition of issues central to relationships of anthropology, media, and visual communication. Topics vary by semester.

0740-Advanced Seminar in Social Anthropology 3 s.h.

Oriented to specific research issues. Topics vary by semester.

0799-Preliminary Exam Preparation variable credit

Prerequisite: Limited to doctoral students who have finished course work.

0898-Independent Study variable credit

Limited to doctoral students. Specialized study and research under the supervision of a faculty member.

Prerequisite: prior approval of the department

0899-Pre-Dissertation Research variable credit

Credits in 899 are intended for students who have completed their qualifying exams and preparing for field research.