UTA ANTHROPOLOGY - COURSE
DESCRIPTION
SPRING 2011
ANTH 1306.001; 002
INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
A beginning course for all students that introduces them to the study of
Anthropology. Anthropology is a multidisciplinary study that includes language,
culture, society, behavior, and history. It is the study of humans from
different cultures and from the very first origins of humans. It uncovers the
many lessons from other peoples, places, and times. This course introduces
students to fields of cultural and social anthropology, linguistics, biological
anthropology, and archaeology. Emphasis is placed on learning anthropology by
doing interesting and exciting projects. There are no pre-requisites and
everyone is invited to join in this learning experience. Because this is a
beginning level class emphasis is placed on exciting students to study
anthropology, either by taking more courses or as a lifelong interest.
SEC. 001 TTh 9:30-10:50 am (J. Bastien)
SEC. 002 TTh 12:30-1:50 pm (J. Bastien)
ANTH 2307.001
BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Biological Anthropology is the study of human variation and human
evolution. This course covers four broad topical areas: (1) genetics; (2) living
primates and the evolution of our primate relatives; (3) the human fossil record
(from “Lucy” to Neanderthals and “anatomically modern” humans); and (4) modern
human variation and biological adaptation to the wide range of environments in
which people live today.
MWF 10:00-10:50 am (N. Cleghorn)
ANTH 2322.001; 002
GLOBAL CULTURES
This course introduces students to key anthropological concepts. Readings
for this course will focus on diverse geographical areas and incorporate a
critical appreciation of the discipline of anthropology to understand cultural
variation and cultural constructions of reality. Through a mix of lectures,
films, and discussions this course is also designed to encourage students to
develop an analytical approach to their own everyday practices. This course
fulfills social/cultural studies requirement.
SEC. 001 MWF 9:00-9:50 am (Adjunct)
SEC. 002 TTh 11:00-12:20 pm (R. Khanduri)
ANTH 2339.001; 002
PRINCIPLES OF ARCHAEOLOGY
This course is designed to be a general introduction to the field of
archaeology. We will examine the history and development of the discipline of
archaeology as well as the methods and techniques of archaeological fieldwork.
We will also address the analysis of archaeological remains and the
interpretation of collected data. Since the field of archaeology deals with the
full range of past human activities and experiences, we will address how
material remains provide information about past human behavior. The course will
also look at preservation of the archaeological record, conservation of material
culture and culture resource management.
SEC. 001 MWF 11:00-11:50 am (N.
Cleghorn)
SEC. 002 TTh 9:30-10:50 am
(A. Keller)
ANTH 3300.001 ANTHROPOLOGICAL
THEORY
What is the history of anthropological thought? How was anthropology
complicit with colonial politics? What are the core concepts in anthropology?
What are the theoretical challenges posed by a feminist anthropology? How is
globalization shaping current methodological and theoretical issues in
anthropology? By exploring these questions and a wide range of readings this
course engages students with core issues in anthropological theory and practice.
TTh 12:30-1:50 pm (R. Khanduri)
ANTH 3313.001
PRIMATE EVOLUTION AND BEHAVIOR
An overview of the primate order. Primate evolution, ecology, adaptation,
and behavior. Prerequisite: ANTH 1306 or 2307 or permission of the instructor.
MWF 10:00-10:50 am (S. Smith)
ANTH 3336.001
ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION
A cross-cultural study of magic and religion. Theories of the origin and
function of magic and religion in pre-industrial societies.
This course is an exploration of such features of world religions as shamanism,
magic, religious movements, and beliefs and practices regarding witchcraft.
Attention will also be given to theories of the origin of religion as
well as to concepts of sacred space and sacred time. In
addition, we will seek to understand the symbolism in certain rituals.
TTh 2:00-3:20 pm (L. Robbins)
ANTH 3341.001
RESEARCH METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
This course involves learning and application of basic elements of
research methods in cultural anthropology. Topics to be considered include
the proposal process and research design, a survey of methods commonly used in
cultural anthropology, and ethical and practical issues associated with
fieldwork. We will do projects to apply what we are learning about
participant observation, interviewing and other data gathering techniques and
gain experience with analysis, report writing, and oral presentation. We
will explore the impact of computers on the collection and analysis of fieldwork
data.
MWF 11:00-11:50 am (J. Ryan)
Examines the expanding field of migration studies in socio-cultural
anthropology. The course compares the experiences of immigrant groups from
diverse origins and cultural backgrounds in the U.S. and other industrialized
countries. It traces the history of migration studies in the discipline,
presents the major theoretical contributions of anthropologists to the
interdisciplinary field of migration, and addresses key contemporary issues such
as globalization, transnational communities, citizenship, and social movements
for immigrants’ rights. Materials are presented through ethnographic
studies of diverse immigrant groups, films, and lectures.
TTh 11:00 am-12:20 pm (C. Zlolniski)
ANTH 3370.001
ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE PREHISTORIC AEGEAN
In this course we will examine the evidence for the origins,
development, and decline of the first high civilizations in Europe, namely the
Minoans on the island of Crete and the Mycenaeans in mainland Greece. The
Stone Age background in the eastern Mediterranean will be surveyed first,
followed by a consideration of Early Bronze Age seafaring in the Cycladic
Islands. Emphasis will be on Late Bronze Age society, economy, and
religion. The art and architecture of the Minoan and Mycenaean palaces and
the Linear B clay tablets as sources for understanding these cultures will be
considered. The course will end with an examination of the archaeological
and literary evidence for the historicity of the Trojan War. The course
has no prerequisites, but ANTH 2339 taken previously or concurrently will
enhance the student’s understanding of the material.
TTh 9:30-10:50 am (K. Petruso)
ANTH 4342.001
FOOD AND CULTURE
ANTH 4358.001
TOPICS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
Space and Place in Prehistory
TTh 3:30-4:50 pm (A. Keller)
ANTH 5344.001
CULTURES OF LATIN AMERICA
Ethnological and ethnographic studies of indigenous groups of South
America with emphasis on Andean pastoralists and farmers, consideration of
Amazonian hunters and gatherers, and contemporary issues (image and reality;
traditional and modern culture; identity and ethnicity; relations of power; and
view of the world.)
M 5:30-8:20 pm (J. Bastien)
ANTH 5349.001
TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY
Bioarchaeology
W 5:30-8:20 pm (N. Cleghorn)
ANTH 5370.001
APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY
This course examines the application of anthropological knowledge to solve
practical problems in today’s global world. More than ever,
anthropologists are finding jobs outside academia as experts, advocates, and
consultants to address issues of health, business practices, economic
development, environment protection, human rights, and others in government and
non-profit organizations. We will learn how anthropological concepts,
methods, and insights can be applied to understand and solve important human
problems. We will review the major areas of applied anthropology combining
theoretical issues with concrete ethnographic examples. In the first part
of the course, we will discuss key areas associated to applied anthropology.
In the second part, we will review some of the most common specialties in which
applied anthropologists work today. Topics include economic development,
international business, health, immigrants and refugees, environmental problems,
advocacy, and others. Open to all graduate students interested in
exploring the use of anthropology for practical purposes.