This course traces major developments in human history and illustrates the methods archaeologists use to study the past. It investigates the origins of cultural behavior, domestication, social inequality, and cities. Students will also explore how ancient and present-day people use(d) material culture to understand, create, and commemorate their histories.
200. History of Anthropology. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 6 credits in anthropology or permission of instructor.
A survey of anthropological theories, methods, and practitioners from anthropology’s inception to the present, covering all four subfields of anthropology.
240. Essentials of Archaeology. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Six credits in social science or sophomore standing.
An examination of archaeological techniques and methods of interpretation that provide the basis for reconstruction of the lifeways of past cultures.
241. Archaeology of Mesoamerica. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Six credits in social science or sophomore standing.
The development of complex societies in Mexico and Central America focusing on the Olmecs, Maya, Aztecs, Mixtecs, and Teothuacan. Pre-16th century development of agriculture, the concept of zero, intricate calendars, writing, political and religious hierarchies, and immense ceremonial architecture in relation to general explanations for the emergence and collapse of complex societies.
242, 242W. Archaeology of Europe. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 6 credits in social science or sophomore standing.
This lecture course traces the major themes in the cultural development of Europe. From the florescence of Paleolithic art through the spread of Indo-European languages to the impact of the Roman Empire on the Celtic world, this course tracks the changing forms of social integration.
243. Archaeology of North America.3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 6 credits in social science or sophomore standing.
Examines the development of North American cultures from the arrival of humans on the continent, through the impact of European colonization.
245. Archaeology of South America.3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Six credits in social science or sophomore standing. Examines the development of cultures from the first peopling of South America to the arrival of the Europeans.
246, 246W. Archaeology of the Near East. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Six credits in social science or sophomore standing.
The Near East is considered the locus of many of the world’s most significant sociocultural “firsts,” including the origins of agriculture, the earliest cities, the earliest writing system, and some of the world’s oldest empires. This course reviews the archaeology of the Near East from the Mesolithic (ca. 18,000 BC) to the aftermath of the Bronze Age (ca. 1000 BC) and discusses current academic debates over some of the sociocultural “firsts” attributed to it. In addition, we will look at the history of archaeology in the region and consider its political context in the past and present.
247. Archaeology of Africa. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
This course examines social developments in Africa through its material culture from the early Pleistocene era until the historical period. Topics covered include human evolution, the emergence and spread of agriculture, the development of complex societies and urbanism, the role of trade and exchange networks in shaping African societies, and the impact of colonialism and post-colonialism on African archaeology. Additionally, the course explores Africa’s contributions to other world civilizations through the Indian and transatlantic ocean trade, and critiques earlier archaeological studies that contributed to stereotypes of precolonial Africa as undeveloped and isolated.
248. World of the Vikings.3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
This course focuses on early Norse culture, migration, and settlement across the North Atlantic ca. 750 – 1050 A.D. Issues related to Viking raids, shipbuilding, social organization and integration, agriculture, and religion are explored through archaeological evidence and historical references. How we know what we think we know about the Norse is critically examined to provide a more nuanced view beyond the received wisdom and popular interpretations of the Vikings in the media.
249. Topics in Archaeological Area Studies.3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 6 credits in social science or sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
This course will focus on a cultural or geographic area that is not covered in one of the standing courses listed above. The specific area of focus will be announced in the course list published by the department prior to the beginning of each semester. This course may be repeated for credit provided the topic is not the same.
250. Field Methods in Archaeology. 1-6 hr.; 1-6 cr.
Prereq.: Anthropology 103 or 240.
Field training in archaeological survey and excavation in actual selected field sites. Basic archaeological field techniques will be taught, and students will develop skills in scientific data-recording procedures. Prehistoric sites will be located, mapped, and described, and cultural materials will be recovered in the field for subsequent laboratory analysis. Course may be retaken, for a maximum combined total of 6 credits.
252. Historical Archaeology.3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Six credits in social science or sophomore standing.
This course introduces Historical Archaeology and explores the ways in which archaeologists use material culture, in conjunction with the documentary record and oral history, to reconstruct the details of the human past from 1500 to 1900 AD. In particular, the course addresses the key research themes within the subfield of Historical Archaeology: race, gender, class, ethnic identity, migration & diaspora, trade & exchange, and commensality. Drawing from recent theoretical and methodological developments within the discipline, this course addresses the ways in which Historical Archaeology is used to understand the daily lives of individuals in North America, the Caribbean, Australia, Western Africa, China, and Europe – especially those of underrepresented communities.
256. Archaeology of Food. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: ANTH 240.
As an intensely social activity, food plays a central role in our lives. This course focuses on the study of food to understand past prehistoric and historic-period societies. Using case studies, we will examine the origin, development, and cultural significance of the foods we eat, delve into the fole of food in human evolution, follow the development of foodways through time, and learn how archaeologists use a wide range of artifacts, features, plant and animal remains, and biochemical data to recover information about foods.
258. Cultural Property, Heritage and the Law. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Sophomore standing.
This course addresses the politics of heritage, the destruction of antiquities, indigenous rights, and control over cultural practices and products. It introduces students to the debates and policies that have developed around these issues over the past 40 years, and it introduces how the U.S. and international legal systems work in the context of cultural policy.
259. Topics in Archaeology. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Anthropology 103 or 240.
This course will focus on a topic in archaeology that is not covered in one of the standing courses listed above. The specific topic will be announced in the course list published by the department prior to the beginning of each semester. The course may be repeated for credit provided the topic is not the same.
290, 290W. Topics in Anthropology. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110.
This course will focus on a topic in anthropology that is not covered in one of the standing courses listed above. The specific topic will be announced in the course list published by the department prior to the beginning of each semester. The course may be repeated for credit provided the topic is not the same. This course is sometimes offered as a Writing Intensive (W) course.
295. Independent Studies in Anthropology. 1-6 hr.; 1-6 cr.
Prereq.: Three of the introductory anthropology courses (101, 102, 103, 104), one course from among Anthropology 201, 235, 240 or 260, and permission of the instructor.
This is an independent study course that must be arranged in advance in consultation with a faculty advisor.
340. Archaeological Method and Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 12 credits in anthropology, including 240 and at least one course numbered 241 to 259, and junior standing.
In this seminar, students will examine the theories that have guided archaeological research, and the methods developed to pursue these goals.
342. Origins of Complex Society. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 9 credits in anthropology, including at least two courses numbered 200 or higher.
This course examines the appearance and development of institutionalized inequalities, and the major forms of political organization humans have devised. Proposed explanations for these phenomena will be evaluated against ethnographic and archaeological examples of complex societies.
350. Seminar in Archaeology.3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 12 credits in anthropology including at least one course numbered 240 to 259 and junior standing.
This is an advanced course focusing on a topic in archaeology that is not covered by one of the standing courses listed above. The specific topic will be announced in the course list published by the department prior to the beginning of each semester. The course may be repeated for credit provided the topic is not the same.
390. Senior Honors Thesis. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Major in anthropology, junior standing, at least 21 credits completed, a grade point average of 3.5 and departmental permission.
This is our Senior Honors Thesis course. To register for this course, a student must develop an Honors Thesis project and plan with a faculty advisor. Registration is subject to department approval.
395. Directed Studies in Anthropology. 1-6 hr.; 1-6 cr.
Prereq.: Anthropology major with at least 24 credits in anthropology and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
This course involves independent research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. It is often taken prior to Anth 390, during the first semester of a student’s Honors Thesis research. To register for this course, students must develop a project and plan in consultation with a faculty advisor. Registration is subject to department approval. No more than 6 credits of Anth 395 are allowed.
397. Directed Research in Anthropology. 1-12 hr.; 1-12 cr.
Prereq.: Anthropology major with at least 24 credits in anthropology and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
This course involves collaborative research with a faculty advisor. To register for this course, students must develop a plan in consultation with a faculty advisor. Registration is subject to department approval. No more than 12 credits of Anth 397 are allowed.