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)

 

ANTH 3348.001          ANTHROPOLOGY OF MIGRATION (cross-listed as MAS 3348)
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
This course considers the relationship of food and culture as it affects human biology and health, influences the course of human history and shapes our experience as individuals and as members of communities.  The scope of the course will be broad, considering food production, exchange and consumption from biological, cultural, ecological and political economic perspectives.  We will also address food patterns and beliefs in terms of history, meaning, and symbolism.  We will spend some time on topics such as the development of cuisines, food preferences, food and economic development, world hunger, food and religion, globalization, and food bioterrorism.
MW 1:00-2:20 pm       (J. Ryan)

 

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.
Th 6:00-8:50 pm       (C. Zlolniski)