This course introduces students to the range of human cultural diversity through an exploration of the variety of societies and cultures of the world. The course also familiarizes students with the methods and theories that anthropologists use to describe, analyze and explain cultural systems.
102. Biology & Evolution of the Human Species. (previously: Introduction to Human Evolution) 3 hr.; 3 cr.
A survey of biological and evolutionary perspectives on the human species, including evolutionary theory, genetics, biological variation across living human populations, a survey of nonhuman primates to contextualize humans within the tree of life, and the fossil evidence of human evolution.
103. Introduction to Archaeology. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
This course traces major developments in human history and illustrates the methods archeologists use to study the past. It investigates the origins of cultural behavior, the invention of agriculture and its consequences, and the development and collapse of cities, drawing on archaeological sites from around the world. Students will explore how we think about the past in the present, including the ways in which individuals and communities used physical objects (known as material culture) in the past and the ways present-day people use this same material culture to understand, create, and commemorate their histories.
104./LCD 104. Language, Culture, and Society. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
The role of language as a significant aspect of culture as well as linguistic and cultural diversity around the world is considered in this survey of anthropological linguistics.
108./LCD 101. Introduction to Language. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
This course is a survey of the study of language, including structure, language and society, first and second language acquisition, and other related topics. It is offered by the Department of Linguistics and Communication Disorders (LCD) but can count towards the Major in Anthropology.