Ever wondered about our human history? Fascinated by archaeological finds you hear about in the news? This course provides a world tour through time as we travel from our early origins in Africa through the cognitive development seen to emerge in the rock art caves of France. We then travel through the development of agriculture to the emergence of complex societies throughout prehistory. Explore Stonehenge, the Maya, Ancient Egypt, and more.
SOCI 270
An anthropological study of diverse cultures, past and present, focusing upon technologies and structure, kinship and family patterns, political relations, religious concepts, and artistic forms. This course provides background into the Cultural sub-discipline of Anthropology while engaging students with skills necessary in a rapidly globalizing world.
The course provides an introduction to Archaeology, one of the four fields of anthropology. Archaeology is the study of the human past through material culture, however archaeological research and methods are often applied to modern day issues. This course is designed to provide hands on experience in archaeological methods as well as provide a basis for understanding archaeological theory and practice. Special attention will be focused on methodology and techniques available to archaeologists (mapping, photography, and artifact preparation/analysis).
Museums serve a critical function in modern society, acting as repositories of knowledge, culture, and history. Without museums, much of our cultural and historical heritage would be lost. Using this fundamental concept as an entry point, this course explores the history of the modern museum, its functions in contemporary society, and the roles that “museum professionals” play in their institutions and their communities. Through this exploration, students will be exposed to the concepts of cultural patrimony, (de)colonization, nationalism, inclusivity (and exclusivity), and ownership, and they will become familiar with the roles open to them as emerging professionals in the field of museum studies.
This course is designed to provide a general introduction to Biological (Physical) Anthropology. The course traces the nature of human evolution, the hominin past, including the study of primates. Further, it examines human skeletal remains as a means of understanding the evolutionary and archaeological past. Finally, the study of Forensics provides practical, real-world applications for the principles of Biological Anthropology.
Special Topics in Anthropology.