Anthropology 101 (Introduction to Physical Anthropology) – In this general education course, people are investigated from the perspective of evolutionary theory. Students will learn about the process of natural selection and related issues including patterns of inheritance. Also included will be an examination of the closest living relatives to humans, primates, with an emphasis on behavior and ape societies. An extensive survey of human ancestors will trace the origins of various life forms and recount how ape–like creatures evolved into modern humans. Students will also discover how natural selection can be used as a tool to understand patterns of human variation. This course is designed for anthropology majors, those with an interest in anthropology, or anyone with a desire to further their understanding of humans from an evolutionary perspective.
Anthropology 101L (Physical Anthropology Lab) – This laboratory course, designed to complement the lecture course, is for students interested in expanding their knowledge of physical anthropology. Students will be introduced to the methods, techniques, and procedures used in physical anthropology research, gaining practical experience by participating in laboratory activities and experiments employing the scientific method. Laboratory exercises will include an assessment of the forces that affect evolutionary change, the observation of primate behavior, the assessment of human variation, and the identification and classification of the skeletal features of humans, non-human primates, and human ancestors. Also included will be an exploration of Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics.
Anthropology 102 (Introduction to Cultural Anthropology) – The emphasis of this general education course is the investigation of human culture. By learning about the diversity of cultural practices around the world, students will be able to evaluate their identities within their own societies. In addition to discovering the theories and methods important to cultural anthropology, the course will include an extensive examination of cross-cultural diversity. Students will learn about how people in different cultures obtain their food, exchange goods, organize themselves in groups, engage in politics, raise children, and worship supernatural beings. Also addressed will be the issue of how cultural anthropology can contribute to addressing problems important in the modern world. This course is designed for anthropology majors, those with an interest in anthropology, or anyone with a desire to further their understanding of human culture.
Anthropology 103 (Introduction to Archaeology) – Archaeology is the study of past societies through the analysis of material remains. This general education course will survey the development of major cultural centers around the world including those found in Mesoamerica, South America, Egypt, China, Africa, and the Middle East. Examples drawn from many ancient sites will trace human societies from pre-agricultural communities, through the origins of agriculture, to the rise of major political and economic institutions. Students will learn how archaeologists discover information about the past, the history of the discipline, and the important issues confronting the field today. This course is designed for students who are interested in the field of archaeology or for students who plan to major in anthropology.
Anthropology 110 (Human Sexuality from a Cross Cultural Perspective) – This course is designed to provide the student who has an interest in human sexuality with an introduction to this subject as a form of culturally-influenced social interaction. Topics addressed include historical views of sexuality, gender identity, and the impact of cultural change on sexual interest and activity. A social scientific analysis of various aspects of human sexual behavior will be used to examine sexuality as a form of social interaction in a cultural context. Various social theories and relevant empirical research are critically analyzed from both a Western and non-Western perspective.
Anthropology 115 (Introduction to Medical Anthropology) – Medical anthropology explores the perceptions of disease, health, and healing in different cultures around the world. Socio-cultural, biological, and ecological perspectives will be used to understand the origins of illness and disease and medical practices across cultures. Topics include diagnosis and therapies, the role of healers like witchdoctors and shaman, stress and mental health, unequal access to medical care, and medical anthropology applied to global health problems. This course is intended for nursing and health care professionals seeking continuing education credit and students interested in the cultural aspects of healing and treating disease.
Anthropology 125 (Religion, Magic, Witchcraft, and the Supernatural) – This course is designed for students interested in learning about the diverse religious beliefs and practices around the world. An introduction to the anthropological study of religion will include an overview of the various forms of religious belief systems, the variety of gods and other supernatural forces, the use of myths, rituals, and ceremonies in religious practice, and the types of shamans, priests, and other religious specialists found in religious systems. The religious use of drugs will be explored along with traditional healing practices and folk medicine remedies used in many Western cultures. A survey of witchcraft, sorcery, the occult, demons, exorcism rites, sacrificial practices, and magic will be included. In addition, concepts relating to death and the afterlife will be explored such as souls, ghosts, reincarnation, zombies, and others.
