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01-02 LS&A Bulletin

Courses in Cultural Anthropology (Division 319)


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ANTHRCUL 101. Introduction to Anthropology.
(Introductory Courses)
Primarily for first- and second-year students. I and II. (4). (SS). (R&E). Does not count toward anthropology concentration requirements.
A survey of the fundamental concepts and perspectives of anthropology with an emphasis on sociocultural anthropology. Lectures and discussion.
ANTHRCUL 158. First Year Seminar in Cultural Anthropology.
(Introductory Courses)
Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (SS). May not be included in an anthropology concentration.
A small seminar designed to introduce entering students to the discipline of Anthropology, its history, and to the concept of "culture," which is at the heart of anthropological research methods and theories. Students develop analytical and intellectual skills that help them understand and negotiate the complex world we live in, and to become familiar with the evolutionary processes responsible for humans in all their diversity.
ANTHRCUL 202. Ethnic Diversity in Japan.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(4). (SS).
This course explores the history and cultures of Japanese ethnic groups and minorities. Among the groups we focus on are the ("aboriginal") Ainu, resident Koreans, migrant workers (of Japanese ancestry) from S. American, children of mixed parentage, etc. Japanese expressions and ideologies of "race" and ethnicity" are also analyzed comparatively. Anthropological readings are augmented by novels and short stories, comics, videos and films.
ANTHRCUL 222. The Comparative Study of Cultures.
(Introductory Courses)
(4; 2 in the half-term). (SS). Does not count toward anthropology concentration requirements.
A selective survey of ways of life in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres describing and analyzing the technology, economic and social organization, religion, and arts of specific peoples. Lectures and discussion.
ANTHRCUL 225. Introduction to Cultural Studies.
(Introductory Courses)
(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
The course discusses how, during particular historical periods, notions of culture have not only formed the basis of a range of beliefs and behaviors, but also helped to frame the conversations of scholars and various other students of human expression.
ANTHRCUL 226 / HISTORY 229. Introduction to Historical Anthropology.
(Introductory Courses)
Anthropology 101. (4). (SS).
This course looks at differences and similarities in the ways in which people in different societies in the world think about history, use the past and assign meaning to past events. Chronological stories about important events may define history for some people, but it is not how history is understood everywhere in the world. We look at different "technologies" of personal and social memory – from smells to tastes, from folktales to movies, from personal memoirs to museums and ask what different tools tells us about the power of the past and the invention of traditions in different parts of the world.
ANTHRCUL 246 / RELIGION 246. Anthropology of Religion.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
(4). (Excl).
An introduction to basic problems faced by religions and by the study of religion. Draws on case studies from around the world to examine how people confront questions of life, death, evil, misfortune, and power. Also asks how the study of religion wrestles with relations between tolerance and faith.
ANTHRCUL 256 / NRE 256. Culture, Adaptation, and Environment.
(Introductory Courses)
(3). (Excl).
Course provides an introduction to anthropological perspectives on the relationships of human societies to their environments. The methods and perspectives of ethnology, systems ecology, and behavioral ecology are explored through the use of case studies. Topics include the behavioral ecology of Homo sapiens; comparative studies of foraging, tribal, etc.
ANTHRCUL 258. Honors Seminar in Cultural Anthropology.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Admission to the College Honors Program. (3). (Excl).
A small seminar designed to introduce Honors students to the discipline of Anthropology, its history, and to the concept of "culture," which is at the heart of anthropological research methods and theories. Students develop analytical and intellectual skills that help them understand and negotiate the complex world we live in, and to become familiar with the evolutionary processes responsible for humans in all their diversity.
ANTHRCUL 272 / LING 272. Language in Society.
(Introductory Courses)
Primarily for first- and second-year students. (4; 2 in the half-term). (SS). (R&E).
An introduction to the systematic study of language and of the place of language in society. Origins of language in the species, child language, language and thought, meaning, and language and social class. Lectures and discussion.
ANTHRCUL 282. Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology.
(Introductory Courses)
(4). (SS).
Basic principles and methods of archaeological research. Survey of prehistoric cultures in the Eastern and Western hemispheres from earliest times to the rise of high civilization. Lectures and discussion.
ANTHRCUL 285. Cult Archaeology.
(Introductory Courses)
(4). (SS).
Examines the prehistory and contact periods of the New World from the perspective of critical thinking, ethics, and racism. It evaluates each claim to explain cultural achievements – art, architecture, agriculture, etc. – on a case by case basis to demonstrate the accomplishments of Indians.
ANTHRCUL 286. Food in Human Affairs.
(Introductory Courses)
(4). (SS).
Emphasis is the domestication of plants and animals throughout the world, human selection to create staple crops, and the cultural and ecological impact they had when they were introduced to other parts of the world.
ANTHRCUL 296. Topics in Archaeology.
(Introductory Courses)
(3). (SS). May be repeated for a total of twelve credits.
The course covers a topic in archaeology in depth. The topic varies from term to term.
ANTHRCUL 298. Topics in Cultural Anthropology.
(Introductory Courses)
(3). (SS). May be repeated for a total of twelve credits.
The course covers a topic in archaeology in depth. The topic varies from term to term.
ANTHRCUL 299. Topics in Linguistic Anthropology.
(Introductory Courses)
(3). (SS). May be repeated for a total of twelve credits.
The course covers a topic in linguistic anthropology in depth. The topic varies from term to term.
ANTHRCUL 302. Sex and Gender in Japan.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(3). (Excl).
Explores attribution and construction of gender in Japan historically and in the present time.
ANTHRCUL 309. Anthropology of Europe.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Sophomore standing; introductory anthropology recommended. (3). (SS).
This course considers contemporary European communities, identities, politics, and habits through the lens of mid- to late-20th century anthropological studies. Ethnographies about cultural aspects of everyday life in Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Norway, Germany, and Great Britain are read in an effort to contextualize country-specific studies and to make sense of such broader processes as globalization, postcolonialism, tourism, European intergration,
ANTHRCUL 314 / AMCULT 313. Cuba and its Diaspora.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(4). (Excl).
Examines Cuban history, literature, and culture since the Revolution both on the island and in the United States Diaspora. In political and cultural essays, personal narratives, fiction, poetry, drama, and visual arts, we seek a comprehensive and divers view of how Cubans and Cuban-Americans understand their situation as people of the same nation divided for thirty-five years by the Cold War, revolution, and exile.
ANTHRCUL 315. Native American Peoples of North America.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(4). (SS).
Survey of typical Native American cultures, with a special topical focus on religion, world view, and social organization.
ANTHRCUL 317 / REES 397. The Political Economy of Transformation in East Central Europe.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in REES 396. (4). (Excl).
Offers an overview of East Central Europe, emphasizing changes in that region since 1989 in the context of the previous Communist system. From an anthropological perspective, it gives attention to the region's pre-Communist history and how socialism worked, and moves to the "revolutions" of 1989 and contemporary economic, social, political, and cultural processes.
ANTHRCUL 319. Latin American Society and Culture.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(4). (SS).
A multi-disciplinary, contextual introduction to the study of Latin American culture, society, and politics. Faculty are drawn from Political Science, Romance Languages, History, Anthropology, and Geography, among others. Students are introduced to Latin America in its historical perspective.
ANTHRCUL 323. Pacific Islands Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(3; 2 in the half-term). (SS).
A survey of the societies and cultures of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Island Melanesia.
ANTHRCUL 325. The Anthropology of Childbirth.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Sophomore standing. (3). (Excl).
This course focuses on the distinctive sociocultural configurations of childbirth practices and beliefs in several different socieites. The cross-cultural study of childbirth provides a basis for understanding the cultural logic underlying these practices and beliefs and expands our knowledge of women's perspectives on social change and the medicalisation of childbirth.
ANTHRCUL 329 / PSYCH 415. The Anthropology of Childhood: Growing Up in Culture.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Sophomore standing. (4). (Excl).
Examines how anthropological tools for understanding cultural variation can be used to enhance our understanding of childhood and children. We explore how children acquire knowledge of their cultures and the extent to which childhood experiences differ across cultures.
ANTHRCUL 330. Culture, Thought, and Meaning.
(Ethnology-Theory/Method)
(4). (HU).
Introduction to the study of the symbolic systems of non-Western cultures and to the significance of symbolic processes for social life.
ANTHRCUL 332. Social Forms.
(Ethnology-Theory/Method)
Sophomore standing. (4; 3 in the half-term). (SS).
Introduces core problems in social anthropology, centering on how the organization of societies affects the lives and experiences of those who live in them. Topics covered may include material possessions and values, gifts and commodities, family life, and the sense of personal identity.
ANTHRCUL 333. Non-Western Legal Systems, I.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Sophomore standing. (3). (SS).
This course provides a comparative cross-cultural analysis and discussion of the nature and attributes of law in non-Western cultures. The relationship between law and social structure, customs, morality, religion, politics and government is studied, and case studies of the judicial processes and dispute settlements are included.
ANTHRCUL 334 / HISTORY 324. Anthropology of Time & Space.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
At least one course in anthropology. (3). (SS).
This course examines how time and space have been perceived, experienced, and created in different societies, including our own, past & present. Examples include calendrical systems of the ancient Maya and Inca indigenous peoples, spatial concepts of Western Apaches, the development of clocks and time discipline in Western Europe, and the instantaneous space-times of the computer society.
ANTHRCUL 336. Warfare in Tribal Society.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Anthro. 101 or 222 or sophomore standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
This course provides a survey of the causes, consequences, and conduct of warfare (armed conflict) in pre-modern tribal societies.
ANTHRCUL 346(416) / HISTORY 347. Latin America: The Colonial Period.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(4). (SS).
The Spanish-Portuguese colonial empires in America to their achievement of independence.
ANTHRCUL 356. Topics in Ethnology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Anthro. 101. (3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
Course covers in-depth topics in ethnology. The topics covered varies from term to term. Students should consult the Time Schedule for the focus in any given term.
ANTHRCUL 357. Undergraduate Seminar in Ethnology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
A course in cultural anthropology and junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Readings, discussions, and reports on problems in modern ethnology.
ANTHRCUL 370(474) / LING 370. Language and Discrimination: Language as Social Statement.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Ling. 210 recommended. (3). (SS). (R&E).
The study of those dialectical differences which vary with class, ethnic, and racial affiliation. Particular emphasis is given to dialects of English spoken by Black Americans.
ANTHRCUL 373. Articulating Gender: Women, Men, Speech.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
At least one course in Anthropology (Ethnology or Linguistic Anthropology), Linguistics, Women's Studies, or the Social Sciences. (3). (SS).
We explore not only how men and women speak, but how speaking creates gendered identity in the first place. In the wake of much popular, therapeutic writing about sex differences and language, this course examines ways gendered linguistic practices intersect broader ideologies about social hierarchy and difference.
ANTHRCUL 374(472) / LING 374. Language and Culture.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Sophomore standing. (4; 2 in the half-term). (HU).
The study of the ways various cultural patterns and values are reflected in language.
ANTHRCUL 380 / CLARCH 380 / HISTART 380. Minoan and Mycenaean Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
Class. Arch. 221 and 222. (3). (Excl).
A systematic, thematically-organized survey of the archaeology and art of the Aegean world in the Bronze Age, from the rise of state-level societies (the Minoans of Crete and the Mycenaeans of mainland Greece), to their collapse in the Greek 'Dark Ages'.
ANTHRCUL 381 / ACABS 382 / HISTART 382. Introduction to Egyptian Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).
This course focuses on the material culture and disposition of archaeological sites in ancient Egypt and Nubia from c. 3200 bce-285 ac. The logic and nature of both sacred and secular landscapes are explored, and specific sites, some well known (such as the extensive temple precinct at Karnak and the Meroitic pyramids).
ANTHRCUL 382. European Prehistory.
(Archaeology)
(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
A survey of human cultures in Europe from the earliest evidence of occupation to the Roman conquest of Gaul. Major themes include the emergence of human culture during the Ice Age, the introduction of food-producing economies and village life, and the development of complex societies, metallurgy, trade, and warfare.
ANTHRCUL 383. Prehistory of Africa.
(Archaeology)
Sophomore standing. (3). (Excl).
A functional and evolutionary examination of extinct cultural systems of Africa from the first appearance of cultural remains until circa A.D. 1600. Sub-Saharan Africa is emphasized.
ANTHRCUL 385. The Archaeology of Early Humans.
(Archaeology)
Sophomore standing. (3). (SS).
Survey of evidence for the origins and evolution of stone age human cultures from the earliest sites in Africa (2 million years ago) to the origins of agriculture (10,000 years ago); discussion of techniques and methods used to identify and interpret ancient human cultures prior to the advent of civilization.
ANTHRCUL 386. Early Civilizations.
(Archaeology)
Sophomore standing. (4). (SS).
This course considers the long term development of precolumbian American civilization with particular focus on Mesoamerica and the central Andes. The major emphasis is on recent archaeological research which has illuminated the development of prehistoric chiefdoms, states, and empires.
ANTHRCUL 387. Prehistory of North America.
(Archaeology)
Anthro. 101 or 282. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
The growth of prehistoric American Indian cultures from the Arctic to the Rio Grande.
ANTHRCUL 388. Gender and Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
Anthro. 101 or 282. (3). (Excl).
Using archaeological methods and evidence this course explores the emergence and nature of gender distinctions in human societies. The roles of biology and culture in the creation of gender categories are examined, and we explore changing gender structures from the appearance of bipedal hominids to the rise of early states.
ANTHRCUL 390. Primitive Technology.
(Archaeology)
(4; 2 in the half-term). (SS).
Working with raw materials used in non-Western cultures, students examine the potential means of manipulating them and the limitations they impose on craftsmen and compare their findings with the actual usage by primitive peoples.
ANTHRCUL 394. Undergraduate Seminar in Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
Anthro. 282 and concentration in anthropology. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Examination of the development of prehistoric and anthropological archaeology through readings and discussions of traditional research problems, outstanding site reports, and the works of major contributions to the field.
ANTHRCUL 398. Honors in Cultural Anthropology.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Permission of instructor. I. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for a total of six credits with permission of concentration advisor.
For information about honors work in anthropology, see the Honors Program description preceding the listing of anthropology courses or consult with the honors concentration advisor.
ANTHRCUL 399. Honors in Cultural Anthropology.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Senior standing and permission of instructor. II. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit with permission of concentration advisor.
For information about honors work in anthropology, see the Honors Program description preceding the listing of anthropology courses or consult with the honors concentration advisor.
ANTHRCUL 400 / CAAS 405. Field Studies.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Junior standing. II in West Africa. (8). (Excl).
Fieldwork conducted in West Africa, teaching students techniques, methods, and analytical procedures in anthropology, archaeology, and ethnology in real field conditions.
ANTHRCUL 401 / CAAS 406. Archaeology Laboratory Studies.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Junior standing; concurrent enrollment in Anthro. 400. II in West Africa. (6). (Excl).
Training in core archaeological processing of excavated remains – restoration, description, drafting, as well as cataloging.
ANTHRCUL 402. Chinese Society and Cultures.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Description and interpretation of the agrarian aspect of Chinese civilization, treating such topics as traditional family and village organization, class structure, and modern changes.
ANTHRCUL 403. Japanese Society and Culture.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
(4). (Excl).
Multi-media course designed to introduce and explore the salient patterns in and of (mostly post-WW2) Japanese society and culture. Ethnicity, sexualities, and gender ideologies are among the main organizing vectors.
ANTHRCUL 404. Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Anthro. 101 or 222. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Emphasis on social structure and economy of tribal and peasant societies of Southeast Asia.
ANTHRCUL 405. Peoples and Cultures of India.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Anthro. 101 or 222. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Forms of society and culture in traditional India. Family, caste, village, region, and religion.
ANTHRCUL 406. Cinematic Representations of Japan.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
An interdisciplinary exploration of Japanese cultural practices through cinematic representation.
ANTHRCUL 407. Archaeology of South Asia.
(Archaeology)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Provides an overview of South Asian Archaeology from the earliest evidence for hominids at c. 1.5 million years ago through the emergence of early historic states and empires. Discusses major cultural transitions and important sites in several regions of South Asia, in the context of the history of archaeological research in this area.
ANTHRCUL 409. Peoples and Cultures of the Near East and North Africa.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
A general introduction to the contemporary Near East and North Africa, with particular emphasis on the contrast and interplay between traditional and "modern" elements in culture and society.
ANTHRCUL 411 / CAAS 422. African Culture.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Junior standing or permission of the instructor. AAS 200 recommended. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
A survey of the processes and patterns of socio-cultural, political, and economic development in Africa before the period of European colonial rule.
ANTHRCUL 412 / CAAS 415. Traditional African Kingdoms.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Anthropology 101 or 222. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
This course examines through use of ethnographic and ethno-historical materials the cultural and social transformations underlying the development of kingdoms in traditional African settings.
ANTHRCUL 414 / CAAS 444. Introduction to Caribbean Societies and Cultures, I.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
A survey of the peoples and cultures of the Caribbean with emphasis on Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Guyana. Analysis of class, race relations, cultural pluralism, ethnicity, population movements, and economic development.
ANTHRCUL 415. Andean Civilization.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Concentration in Anthropology. II. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Survey of social structure, political economy and cultures of Native Andean peoples from the Incas to the present, using ethnographic materials. Emphasis on continuities in reciprocity as an organizational principle, land and water, tenure patterns and ritual organization.
ANTHRCUL 416 / HBEHED 516. Global Health: Anthropological Perspectives.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
(3). (Excl).
This medical anthropology course is designed to provide an extensive overview of the major initiatives and issues in global health over the past three decades. Anthropological perspectives on and critiques of international health development programs are emphasized. Reading focus on examples of anthropology in global public health.
ANTHRCUL 417. Indians of Mexico and Guatemala.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Anthro. 101, 222, or junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Cultural anthropology of the Totonic, Zapotec, Tarascan, Tarahumara, Nahua, Chontal, Maya, and other groups. Emphasis is placed on aboriginal or Indian cultures rather than colonial or modern peasants. Topics include religion, ideology, social and political organization, and subsistence and settlement patterns.
ANTHRCUL 420. Anthropology of Contemporary American Culture.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Two courses in anthropology. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl).
Applies anthropological techniques originally developed to describe and analyze institutions and behavior in nonindustrial societies to such aspects of contemporary American mass-culture as sports, rock music, fast-food restaurants, television, movies, politics, religious sects, psychotherapy, and literature.
ANTHRCUL 422. Ethnography in America.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Junior standing, and one course in anthropology or American Culture at the 200 level or above. (3). (Excl).
Explores American society and culture through ethnographic studies. A central concern is the workings of social class in and through other dimensions of American life: in the domains of race, ethnicity, and gender; in schools and families; in small communities and urban neighborhoods.
ANTHRCUL 425. Evolution of War and Peace in Unstratified Societies.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Explores the origins and early evolutionary development of war, alliance, and peacemaking.
ANTHRCUL 426. Principles of Anthropology.
(Introductory Courses)
Junior standing. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 101 or 222. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). May not be included in a concentration plan in anthropology.
An overall view of the field of anthropology, stressing basic concepts and objectives, designed for students specializing in other disciplines who are interested in the nature and scope of anthropology.
ANTHRCUL 427 / CAAS 427 / WOMENSTD 427. African Women.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
One course in African Studies, anthropology, or women's studies. AAS 200 recommended. (3). (Excl).
The active roles African women play in their communities as these have changed from pre-colonial to contemporary times are discussed critically through the themes of autonomy and control of resources, esp. land, labor, income, education, and political authority.
ANTHRCUL 431. American Kinship.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
An anthropological approach to the study of American kinship, marriage, and the family, with special reference to the components of "personhood", the life cycle, and interpersonal relationships. The emphasis is on constituent notions (cultural constructs) and norms.
ANTHRCUL 438. Urban Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
(3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
The comparative study of urbanization, the social structure of cities, and the nature of urban life. Case material is drawn primarily from pre-industrial and industrializing societies, but includes some examination of the culture of urban population segments in the U.S. and other industrialized societies.
ANTHRCUL 439. Economic Anthropology and Development.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
An introduction to economic anthropology and development in village-based tribal, peasant and urbanizing societies of the Third World; the nature of economic anthropology; anthropological perspectives on development; specific case studies of development and underdevelopment.
ANTHRCUL 440. Cultural Adaptation.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Introduction to ecological anthropology and the evolutionary adaptation of cultures, origins of cultural diversity, and cultural adaptation and maladaptation.
ANTHRCUL 442 / ACABS 413 / HISTORY 440. Ancient Mesopotamia: History and Culture.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Junior standing. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl).
Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian civilization from the first cuneiform documents to the fall of the Neo-Babylonian empire; special attention to (1) the rise and nature of early Mesopotamian city-states; (2) Mesopotamian economics; (3) Mesopotamian law; (4) ethnic relations in Mesopotamia; (5) Mesopotamia and its neighbors – Egypt, Iran, Israel; (6) the collapse of Mesopotamian civilization.
ANTHRCUL 444. Medical Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Anthro. 101 or 222. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl).
The concept of “health” and “illness” are culturally constructed. This course examines health beliefs, curing practices, and the roles of curers cross-culturally. We draw on non-Western and biomedical examples to illustrate the power interconnections found across ecology, evolution, social organization, biology, culture, beliefs and practices and their
ANTHRCUL 447. Culture, Racism, and Human Nature.
(Ethnology-Theory/Method)
Two courses in the social sciences. (3). (Excl).
This course examines the possible origins of culture to understand the unique behavioral and historical development of Homo sapiens. It reviews the theories of Freud, Jung, Lévi-Strauss and others who have attempted to comprehend that origin and development. The course traces the salient features of human history and contemporary modernity to discuss and explain the nature of humans. Examinations of human culture requires us to return to the discussions of Leslie White (culture is autonomous) and Alfred Koeber (culture is superorganic) to determine the possibilities of social transformations that contemporary society may require.
ANTHRCUL 448 / RELIGION 452. Anthropology of Religion: Ritual, Sanctity and Adaptation.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
A discussion of the form and function of ritual and the notion of the sacred and religious experience from the general perspective of adaptation and evolution.
ANTHRCUL 451 / CAAS 459. African-American Religion.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
One introductory course in the social sciences. AAS 201 recommended. (3). (Excl).
This course examines the nature of religion in the lives of humans, within the framework of culture, and as a pervasive social institution. Focus is character of religion in the history and lives of Afro-Americans.
ANTHRCUL 453 / CAAS 454. African-American Culture.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
One introductory course in the social sciences. AAS 201 recommended. (3). (Excl).
This course examines the Afro-American as one example of how humans live. It places distinctive Black behavior within its social context and its history.
ANTHRCUL 455 / WOMENSTD 455. Feminist Theory and Gender Studies in Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Student-directed seminar on the history of feminist thought in Anthropology and on salient issues in the field of feminist anthropology today.
ANTHRCUL 457. The Film and Other Visual Media in Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
An introductory course in cultural anthropology, American culture, women's studies, or film and video studies. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl).
New approaches to the study of film which focus on how cultural issues are represented, negotiated and contested in a wide range of documentary, ethnographic, and narrative films showing students how the construction of "otherless" and modern "selfhood" are played out in films. Moving from the "voyage out" to the "voyage in," the course parallels the way anthropology as a discipline has moved from an emphasis on differences to a desire to map points of contact and identification, and understand the otherless in our own midst.
ANTHRCUL 458. Topics in Cultural Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl). May be elected once for a total of six credits.
Course covers in depth topics in cultural anthropology. The topics covered vary from term to term. Students should consult the Time Schedule for the focus in any given term.
ANTHRCUL 459. Inequality in Tribal Societies.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Two courses in ethnology. (3). (Excl).
This course examines social theories addressing the locus of the production of inequality in premodern stateless societies and the early evolutionary development of social inequality.
ANTHRCUL 473 / LING 473. Ethnopoetics: Cross-Cultural Approaches to Verbal Art.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Two courses in anthropology, linguistics, or literature. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Cross-cultural problems in translation and interpretation of text in oral traditions. Form and performance in verbal art of non-Western peoples. "Oral literatures" as shapers of, and shaped by, the cultures of which they are part.
ANTHRCUL 475. Ethnography of Writing.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
The approach to writing is contextual and historical. Western-modeled and evolutionary approaches are criticised and a cultural analysis of writing is advanced.
ANTHRCUL 483. Near Eastern Prehistory.
(Archaeology)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Area survey course on the archaeology of Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, from the Lower Paleolithic to the beginnings of Sumerian civilization.
ANTHRCUL 488. Prehistory of Mexico.
(Archaeology)
Anthro. 101, 282, or junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Archaeology of Mexico from earliest times to Spanish conquest; late Pleistocene hunters, early farmers, rise of cities, and the Aztec state.
ANTHRCUL 489. Maya and Central American Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
(3). (Excl).
This course emphasizes the cultural evolution of the ancient Maya, whose civilization once extended from eastern Mexico into Honduras. Stages of development include hunters and gatherers, egalitarian villagers, chiefs and chiefdoms, and the state.
ANTHRCUL 490. Practica in Archaeological Research Techniques.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
This course provides students with theoretical background and hands-on experience in the documentation and analysis of a range of archaeological remains. The course is subdivided into units or sections, focusing on some combination of the following: the analysis of ceramics, lithics, fauna, botanical remains, soils, archaeological photography, mapping, and drafting.
ANTHRCUL 491. Prehistory of the Central Andes.
(Archaeology)
Anthro. 101, 282, or junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
The development of Andean civilization from Post-Pleistocene times through the Spanish conquest. An attempt to combine ecological, archaeological, and documentary data into a meaningful synthesis of the major cultural patterns and processes involved in the evolution of complex society in the area between Colombia and Central Chile.
ANTHRCUL 492. Prehistory of Oceania.
(Archaeology)
Anthro. 101, 282, or junior standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Area survey course on the archaeology of Australia, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands (Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia) from the time of first human settlement to European discovery.
ANTHRCUL 494. Introduction to Analytical Methods in Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
One course in statistics and junior standing. (3). (Excl).
An introduction to the major methods of statistical analysis used in archaeological research.
ANTHRCUL 496. Museum Techniques in Anthropology.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). Credit is granted for a total of six credits elected through Anthro. 496 and 497.
Individual instruction is given to qualified students on the recording and cataloging of anthropological collections and their data, the preservation and care of specimens, and the use of materials and data in the solution of anthropological problems. This course is identical with but not crosslisted with Museum Methods 436.
ANTHRCUL 497. Museum Research Techniques.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). Credit is granted for a total of six credits elected through Anthro. 496 and 497.
Individual instruction is given to qualified students on the recording and cataloging of anthropological collections and their data, the preservation and care of specimens, and the use of materials and data in the solution of anthropological problems. This course is identical with but not crosslisted with Museum Methods 437.
ANTHRCUL 499. Undergraduate Reading and Research in Anthropology.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). A maximum of three credits of independent reading may be included in a concentration plan in anthropology. (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
Independent reading and research under the direction of a faculty member. Ordinarily available only to students with background in anthropology.
ANTHRCUL 503. Non-Western Colonialisms.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
400-level course work in Anthropology, History, and/or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
This seminar foregrounds imperialist regimes and colonialist states operating outside of Western Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries by focusing on the case of Japan. It offers an important corrective to the more Eurocentric literature on colonialism and imperialism.
ANTHRCUL 507 / REES 507. East European and Post-Soviet Ethnography.
(Ethnology-Regional Courses)
Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
Close reading of significant ethnographic work on socialist and post-socialist Eastern Europe (including Russia). Emphasis is on the changing concepts that have driven this work, their relation to Cold-War problematics, and the specific contribution of ethnography to knowledge of this region.
ANTHRCUL 519 / LING 517 / GERMAN 517. Principles and Methods of Historical Linguistics.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Graduate standing, or permission of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Assumptions underlying the establishment of historical relationships between languages. Techniques of internal and comparative reconstruction of related languages and types of linguistic change.
ANTHRCUL 532. Politics and Practice of Ethnography.
(Ethnology-Theory/Method)
Graduate students, qualified seniors with permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
This seminar explores the technologies and politics of ethnographic fieldwork and writing historically and today. Theory and practice are conjoined in the readings and seminar projects.
ANTHRCUL 538. Occidentalism and Capitalism.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
This seminar seeks to deepen our understanding of theoretical and political issues entailed in the study of cultural differences and social inequality in the age of imperialism. It addresses the existence of contradictory tendencies in contemporary social analysis and cultural studies.
ANTHRCUL 543. Demographic Approaches in Anthropology.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
Senior or graduate standing, or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
A survey of demography, its theories, methods, and aims. The applicability and limitations of contemporary demographic approaches to anthropological problems. This course is designed as a survey of anthropological approaches to demographic research. Demography here is the study of life course transitions and familial relationships revolving around events as varied as birth, marriage, the establishment of households, aging, and death. This course is concerned with conceptual assumptions and methods brought to bear on the understanding of these phenomena; it explores and develops mixed method approaches which give balanced attention to cultural and quantitative analysis in social research.
ANTHRCUL 553. Blurred Genres: Autobiography, Fiction & Ethnography.
(Ethnology-Topical Courses)
400-level coursework in Anthropology. (3). (Excl).
This course focuses on the history, politics, and possibilities of interconnecting autobiography, ethnography, and fiction. We read widely in a variety of ethnographic, fictional, and autobiographic genres, including literary journalism, autobiographic ethnography, feminist ethnography, fieldwork accounts, the memoir, autobiographical criticism, family stories, and fiction that uses first-person voices.
ANTHRCUL 556. Fieldwork, Research Methods, and Cultural Anthropology as a Profession.
(Museum, Honors, Reading, Research, and Field Courses)
(3). (Excl).
This course, conducted as a seminar, examines the expectations of cultural anthropology (academic and applied) as a profession, including the relation between theory and practice in several contexts: Choosing a research area and problem; Grant application strategies; Different kinds of field work (e.g., ethnography, survey research, rapid assessment, team research, longitudinal research); Units of analysis (traditional, transnational, people in motion); Research design, sampling surveys, data coding and entry, scale construction; Data analysis (including statistical) and interpretation. Also considered are forms of anthropological writing, including the evolution of ethnography, professional articles and books, and publications aimed at wider audiences.
ANTHRCUL 572 / LING 542. Introduction to Sociolinguistics.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Ling. 514 or graduate standing. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
The study of language as a heterogeneous system. The analysis of linguistic variability in its social context and the implications of variation for language change.
ANTHRCUL 576. Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Two courses in anthropology or biology. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
An introduction to language and linguistics for anthropologists. The nature of language as a sign activity, the status of linguistic representations and semiotic and biological bases of linguistic universals are explored.
ANTHRCUL 577. Language as Social Action.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Anthro. 576. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
Develops a framework for viewing languages as a social, cultural, and political matrix, a form of action through which social relations, cultural forms, ideology, and consciousness are constituted.
ANTHRCUL 578. Monographs in the Ethnography of Speaking.
(Linguistic Anthropology)
Anthro. 576. (3). (Excl).
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with major works in the ethnography of speaking, ranging from studies that approach language ethnographically to those that approach ethnography through language. It consider ways in which ethnographers have used linguistic evidence to draw inferences about social relations and cultural patterns, and consider the methodological insights and problems raised by these studies.
ANTHRCUL 587 / CLARCH 531 / HISTART 531. Aegean Art and Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
Class. Arch. 221 or 222. (3). (Excl).
A survey of the major sites of Greece, Crete, and the Cyclades in the Bronze Age, with particular reference to architectural and ceramic development and interdependence.
ANTHRCUL 589. Neutron Activation Analysis in Archaeology.
(Archaeology)
Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
This course provides students with the fundamental principles and methods of neutron activation analysis (NAA), along with hands-on experience in utilizing NAA to determine the trace-element composition of archaeological materials. Irradiation procedures, gamma-ray spectrometry of trace-elements, quantitative analysis of NAA data, and the archaeological use and interpretation of NAA results are covered.
ANTHRCUL 591. Practica in Archaeological Research Techniques.
(Archaeology)
Upperclass standing and permission of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
This course provides students with theoretical background and hands-on experience in the documentation and analysis of a range of archaeological remains. The course is subdivided into units or sections, focusing on some combination of the following: the analysis of ceramics, lithics, fauna, botanical remains, soils, archaeological photography, mapping, and drafting.
ANTHRCUL 593. Archaeological Systematics.
(Archaeology)
Senior concentrators, graduates, with permission of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
The structure of archaeological research. Philosophical foundations of archaeology, systematic approach, the archaeological record viewed in an ecological context.

Graduate Course Listings for ANTHRCUL.


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