No major or minor in Anthropology is currently available, however, students may pursue an individually designed minor in Cultural Studies. See Anthropology faculty or the Sociology Coordinator if you are interested in developing a Cultural Studies Minor.
Students may also pursue a Sociology major with a Cultural Studies emphasis. The Cultural Studies emphasis is a comprehensive major (no minor required) which includes a strong Anthropological component.
COURSE SYLLABI ANTHROPOLOGY COURSES OFFERED 112 Introduction to Anthropology (3) The nature and scope of modern anthropology. Human origins, race, prehistory, language, culture, and the diversity of human societies. 160 Arab Culture and Society (3) An introductory course on the contemporary society and history of the Arab peoples of the Middle East. Develop confidence in your ability to get to know another part of the world. Topics include: the rise of Islam, the nature of the Islamic religion, life in an Iraqi village, women in the Arab world, the great Arab empires, colonization by Turks and Europeans, the Arab-Israeli conflicts, working with Arabs and Arab cultural traits. Uses films and hands-on activities. (Cross-listed as HIST 160) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. 161 African Peoples and Issues (3) An introductory course on modern Africa, particularly useful for future teachers. It covers topics like growing up in East and West Africa, the slave trade, the impact of colonialism, nationalist resistance movements and African aspirations at independence. Many films are shown and all the texts are written by Africans, including autobiography, drama and novels. (Cross-listed as HIST 161) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. 216 Indians of North America (3) Presentation of the native peoples of North America emphasizing the central United States; their origins, unique cultural adaptations and the changes in the Post-Columbian era. Prerequisite: ANTH 112 or instructor's permission. 217 Precolumbian New World Civilizations (3) A detailed study of the New World native cultures before European contact. Major focus is upon the advanced civilizations of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca traditions. Attention is also given to theory and technique of archaeology. Prerequisite: ANTH 112 or instructor's permission. 230 Native American Myths and Legends (3) An introduction to the oral tradition of Native American People. The course will explore the native peoples for generations. The students will understand the meaning that they provided the past generations of people and how their message is carried into the modern world. (Cross-listed as INDS 230) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. 242 American Indian Values and Spiritual Beliefs (3) This course will examine a broad range of various culture values of American Indians in North America. Emphasis will be placed on the spiritual significance of American Indian ceremonies and their relationship to the environment. The traditional teachings of American Indians will also be examined as they relate to the lifestyles of Indian people historically and today. (Cross-listed as INDS 242) Prerequisite:ANTH 112. 281 Introduction to the Muslim World (3) A survey level course on the Muslim world from multidisciplinary perspectives. Islam is the second largest world religion and the fastest growing religion in the US. It has important implications for foreign policy. Topics in this course include the history of the Prophet Muhammad, major periods in Islamic history, social and cultural trends in the Muslim world and the spread of Islam in the United States. (Cross-listed as HIST 281) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. 306/506 African Archaeology (3) The course examines several archaeological sites like Jenne, Aksum, Zimbabwe, Kilwa, Igbo, Ukwu, Ife, and Meroe to see how we move from artifacts and ruins to history, especially with the aid of oral traditions and written documents. The second topic considers the changes in the discipline and ideology of African archaeology over time. While this course focuses on Africa, the same principles are sued to extract history from archaeology the world over. (Cross-listed as HIST 306/506) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. 310/510 Women in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3) A world-wide survey of the position, life-cycle, and images of women, primarily in non-western cultures, with attention to anthropological issues. Course examines sociocultural factors such as kinship, colonialism, industrialism, and economic development which influence gender definitions, roles, and the structure of gender relations. (Cross-listed as WST 310) Prerequisite: ANTH 112 or instructor's permission. 315 Cultural Anthropology (3) A detailed study of humans in their cultural and symbolic environments. A cross-cultural analysis of human social structures is undertaken. Representative cultures are viewed in an ethnological framework. Prerequisite: ANTH 112 or instructor's permission. 390/590 Qualitative Methods (3) Systematic review and application of qualitative research methods, including participant observation, interviewing, personal document analysis, and archival research. Ethical considerations in each methodology will be stressed. Data collection and interpretation will be emphasized as well as different theoretical assumptions underlying their various approaches. (Cross-listed as SOCI 390/590) Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or ANTH 112, or instructor's approval. 403/603 Voices of African Women (3) A reading seminar that listens to voices of African women, past and present, in a multidisciplinary perspective. Readings from history, biography, short stories and novels. Topics include the diverse roles of African women, polygamy, famous women in African history, female genital mutilation, and the effects of racism and colonialism. Many films. Male students welcome to full participation in this course. (Cross-listed as HIST 403/603, WST 403) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. F97 404/604 Voices of Arab Women (3) A reading seminar that explores the diversity of voices of Arab women, Both past and present, in a multidisciplinary perspective. The texts include anthropology, history, sociology and fiction, mostly by Arab women authors. Topics for discussion include women as revolutionaries and nationalists, male-female relations, women in the work force, female circumcision, Arab family structures, the return of the hijab or modest "Islamic" dress, education for women in the Arab world and the issue of authenticity of voice. Films will be used. Open to all students with healthy reading appetites. Male students equally welcome. (Cross-listed as HIST 404/604, and WST 404) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. F98 460 The Study of American Indian Women (3) An exploration of the American Indian's social roles and lifestyles from a variety of tribal cultures in North America. The course will focus on the traditional contemporary values and roles of American Indian Women. (Cross-listed as INDS 460, WST 460) Prerequisite: ANTH 112. 490/690 Selected Topics in Anthropology (1-6) In-depth study of specialized current topics in Anthropology selected by the instructor. Courses may be repeated for credit when instructor and/or topics are different. Prerequisite: ANTH 112 or instructor's permission. 499/699 Independent Study (1-4) Supervised independent study and/or research in Anthropology. Prior contract with instructor is required. Prerequisite: ANTH 112 and instructor's approval.