168. First Year Seminar in Primate Field Studies. (3). (NS). (BS).
A seminar designed for incoming freshmen. Students will be introduced to science as a mode of inquiry by applying Darwin's theory of natural selection to the behavior of non-human primates. Emphasis will be given to long-term field studies of primates in the wild. One three-hour discussion/lecture. Class participation, weekly writing assignments, and a term paper required. (Mitani)
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Introductory Courses
Section 001. This introductory course exposes and explores the structures of inquiry characteristic of anthropology and surveys the field's four subdisciplines (biological, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology), providing a first glimpse of the field's overall context, history, present status, and importance. The principal aim of the course is to help students develop a coherent view of the essential concepts, structures, and intellectual methods that typify the discipline. It stresses unifying principles that link the subdisciplines and thereby create anthropology's comprehensive, holistic world view. It teaches students various ways of learning and thinking about the world's many designs for living in time and space. It prepares them to integrate and interpret information, to evaluate conflicting claims about human nature and diversity, and to think critically. Topics covered include: the nature of culture; human genetics, evolution and the fossil record; the concept of race; primate (monkey and ape) behavior; language and culture; systems of marriage, kinship and family organization; sex and gender roles; economics, politics, and religion in global perspective; the cultural dimension of economic development and contemporary social change, and the emergence of a world system. Required readings may include an introductory text and various paperbacks. Lectures and discussion. Two objective exams (multiple choice and true or false questions) cover the two halves of the course. The second exam is given on the last day of class. There is no final exam and no term paper. Section leaders require quizzes and, perhaps, a short paper. Cost:2 WL:1,3,4 (Peters-Golden)
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Section 150. Anthropology, from the Greek anthropos (human) and logos (theory) is the scientific study of humankind. This course will introduce students to the four major subfields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and biological anthropology. In the process, we will focus on how each of these subfields helps to explain the cultural, social, and physical aspects of human diversity. The principal aim of the course is to help students develop a coherent view of the essential concepts, structures, and intellectual methods that typify the discipline. It stresses unifying principles that link the sub-disciplines and thereby create anthropology's comprehensive, holistic world view. It teaches students various ways of learning and thinking about the world's many designs for living in time and space. It prepares them to integrate and interpret information, to evaluate conflicting claims about human nature and diversity, and to think critically. Topics covered include: the nature of culture; human genetics, evolution and the fossil record; the concept of race; primate (monkey and ape) behavior; language and culture; systems of marriage, kinship, and family organization; sex and gender roles; economics, politics, and religion in global perspective; the cultural dimension of economic development and contemporary social change, and the emergence of a world system. Required readings include an introductory text, course pack, and several short monographs. (Lansing)
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222. The Comparative Study of Cultures. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 101 or 426. Students with credit for Anthro. 101 should elect Anthro. 327. (4). (SS).
This course explores non-western and western societies and the methods, poetics, and politics of representing of cultural difference and historical change. We will examine the significance of conceptions of time and space, the role of fieldwork and archives in the formation of knowledge, the procedures that distinguish between factual and fictional accounts, and the effects of power in the formation of societies in the context of colonizing and globalizing processes. Our goal is to develop a historical anthropological perspective that will enable us to appreciate the richness of human diversity and the human potential for transformation. Our texts will include anthropological and historical works, fiction, films, visual art, and travel accounts. Classes will involve lectures and discussions. Course requirements include class participation and presentations, quizzes, and several papers and/or take-home examinations. Cost:3 WL:3 (Coronil)
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