ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology (3 units)

A comparative analysis of human cultures with emphases on core concepts such as kinship, religion, politics, technology, and an appreciation of our societal variability. When appropriate, comparison is made with present-day American society to show the effect of societal diversity, size, and complexity of cultural factors.

ANTH 125 Physical Anthropology (3 units)

Biological consideration of the origin, development, and potential survival of humans and other primates. Topics include concepts of evolution: natural selection and populations, patterns of inheritance, the fossil record, and behavioral adaptations. The course will examine how biological, physical, and cultural variations have allowed human populations to adapt to various physical environments.

ANTH 127 Physical Anthropology Laboratory (1 units)

Laboratory designed to become familiar with the methods of the science of biological anthropology while investigating topics in laboratory and field situations. Topics covered in the course: the scientific method, biological variation and forces of evolution, human osteology and variation, comparative osteology of primates, and fossil evidence for human evolution. Field trips may be offered.

ANTH 150 Introduction to Archaeology: Bones, Beads and the Basics of Material Culture (3 units)

Explores cultural diversity using theories and methods of anthropological archaeology. This course typically includes discussions of the development of archaeological research, excavation methods, data analysis, and selected cultural sequences. Instructor may require field trips.

ANTH 155 Human Prehistory and the Rise of Civilization (3 units)

An anthropological survey of human and hominid prehistory spanning over two million years. Emphasis is on the origin and cultural evolution of the world’s first settled communities and early civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Europe, Central America, and South America.

ANTH 165 Sex and Gender: Cross-Cultural Perspectives (3 units)

A survey of cross-cultural and historical factors influencing human sexuality, gender roles and identity. The course emphasizes non-Western culture such as Asian, African, and the Indigenous Americas. Diverse cultural forces affecting both female and male status, such as economics, religion, and sexual practices, will be examined.

ANTH 170 Anthropology of Death (3 units)

Examination of cross-cultural perspectives on beliefs and practices around death and dying. Selected topics may include funerary practices, cannibalism, bereavement and concepts of the afterlife.

ANTH 180 Magic, Witchcraft and Religion (3 units)

Cross-cultural exploration of the supernatural belief systems, focusing on non-literate, tribal and ethnic cultures; history and methods of the anthropological approach to religion; the dynamics of myth, magic, totem, taboo, cults, and sects.

ANTH 360 Native Peoples of North America (3 units)

An introduction to the life ways of representative Native North American culture groups found in different geographical areas of North America. The course will examine settlement patterns and environmental adaptations, social organizations, worldview, and the arts chronologically and cross culturally, with emphasis on the impact of contact with European cultures. Field trips may be arranged to investigate archaeological evidence.