Anthropology Courses

Semester specific course descriptions

102. Cultural Anthropology.
This course offers a general exploration of cultural anthropology, a discipline that addresses the spectrum of human cultural diversity in the attempt to understand what people do and why they do it. We will read and talk about a wide variety of human communities from a number of topical viewpoints, ranging from the ways people construct relationships to the ways they perceive the world around them. We will discuss some of the ways anthropologists and others have attempted to account for human cultural phenomena and try to view these approaches with a critical eye. The object of the course is to develop a good acquaintance with aspects and examples of human cultural diversity and a grasp of some of the processes affecting human societies. Throughout the semester various issues will recur: What factors affect the relationships between female and male? Why do some groups fight a great deal, while others appear to be more peaceful? Why are some relatively egalitarian, while others emphasize differing ranks and statuses? We will read about and discuss six very different communities to shed light on these and other issues. Also offered through Global Studies.

103. Introduction to Archaeology.
What is archaeology, exactly? Many people are fascinated by the subject, but very few know what real archaeologists actually do and why they do it. This course offers a general overview of the branch of anthropology that investigates ancient societies through the material remains they have left behind. Students will learn that archaeologists engage in detailed, systematic detective work aimed at answering a wide range of questions about human behavior. The course introduces students to the history of archaeology, the main goals of archaeological research, the basic techniques of excavation, site survey and artifact analysis, as well as the famous discoveries and excavations that have broadened our knowledge about the human past.

153. Introduction to African Studies: Environment and Culture.
This course looks at the distribution and use of water resources as a theme to lead to an appreciation of Africa today and in the past. Why are parts of Africa abundantly endowed with fresh water, while others suffer extreme aridity? How have the indigenous peoples of Africa coped with frequently variable and unreliable water supplies? What changes in water management occurred in the colonial era and since independence? How have Africa’s water resources been misused and polluted; what impact does this have on people’s lives? An attempt is made to gain awareness of the cultural element in resource use: how do people of different cultures conceptualize and value water resources? Also offered through African Studies

201. Introduction to Human Origins.
This introductory course provides an overview of the fascinating and often controversial study of human origins. Emphasis is placed on the integration of prehistoric archaeology with human evolution. Topics we will examine include early human fossils and prehistoric sites in Africa, the emergence of Neandertals and modern humans, and the origins of language and art.

205. Language and Human Experience.
This course introduces students to the study of language as a peculiarly human trait. We will compare and contrast human vocal language with non-human primate and other forms of communication with a view toward pursuing the following questions: What is language? What separates human language from other forms of communication? What is the range of human communicative skills (e.g., verbal sounds, non-verbal and verbal gestures, body language, the use of silence)? What is the relationship between language, society and culture? Between language and perception? How do the use, non-use and/or misuse of language communicate aspects of cultural and/or personal identity? How do anthropologists go about studying these things? In the process of pursuing these and other questions, we will also explore some of the various methods and theories used in the anthropological study of language. Also offered through Global Studies.

208. Ancient Civilizations
Of all the landmarks in human history, the emergence of complex societies is one of the most profound — redefining human culture, politics and economy, and marking the beginnings of society as we know it today. In this course, students will learn how and why relatively simple, egalitarian societies in certain parts of the world made the transition to state-level civilizations. The course will offer an overview of the six “primary” civilizations of the Old and New Worlds: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, the Indus Valley, Mesoamerica and the central Andes. By comparing and contrasting these case studies, students will explore key issues from an anthropological perspective: how archaeologists investigate these early social formations, what the material remains tell us about how they functioned and flourished, the critical role of the environment and geography, and how and why these civilizations declined.

210. Environmental Archaeology.
This course offers an analysis of the interaction between the biophysical environment and past human cultural systems. Students are introduced to a number of approaches that focus on the natural, geological and physical sciences, such as studies of case sediments and former beach terraces (geo-archaeology), pollen and plant fossils (paleobotany), and fossilized animal bones from archaeological sites (zoo-archaeology). Conceptual models are drawn from African, European and North American prehistory. Also offered as Environmental Studies 210.

215. Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology.
Lost continents, ancient astronauts, mysterious giants. In the mass media, archaeology has often been the subject of fantastic myths, frauds and endless speculation about what “really” happened in the past. This course will critically examine various popular and pseudoscientific claims about the human past, including the search for Atlantis, the shroud of Turin, psychic archaeology and the Piltdown Man, and introduce students to the scientific goals, methodology and techniques of archaeology. Students will learn how archaeologists “know” things — how they work within logistical theoretical frameworks, how they systematically explore the patterns and contexts of archaeological remains, and how they interpret the material and scientific evidence to draw educated conclusions about past human experiences.

218. Archaeology and Identity.
Identity is a complex and multidimensional issue, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the study of the ancient world. A key concern for archaeologists is to understand the relationship between past identities and material culture. How do archaeologists define identity? How do they recognize it “on the ground”? How do archaeological remains from various times and places help us to interpret past identities and dynamic interactions among different social groups? We will consider whether identity — based on gender, “race,” ethnicity, religious affiliation or class — is passively reflected in the material culture or if it is imposed on ancient peoples by modern thinkers. This course also explores the issue from a contemporary perspective, by examining the intersection between archaeology, nationalist agendas and the social constructions of the past. We will examine a number of archaeological case studies, including gender roles in early Mayan and Mesopotamian societies, caste affiliations in ancient India, and the politics of archaeology in Nazi Germany.

220. The Neandertals.
Who were the Neandertals? Did they really live in caves, carry clubs, drag each other around by the hair and speak in grunts? What part did they play in the biological and cultural evolution of modern human beings? This course will investigate such questions and explore how the entertainment industry and popular culture have stereotyped the role of Neandertals in prehistory.

238. The Pacific Islands.
This course will survey the peoples and cultures of the Island Pacific, called Oceania. This area ranges from the lush semitropical islands of Hawaii through the mountains of New Guinea. The culture areas of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia will be defined according to differences in geography, human physical features, languages and systems of religion, politics, economics and social organization. In addition, we will pursue selected problems in cultural anthropological fieldwork, modernization and development as these cultures struggle with worldwide political and economic processes.

240. Environment and Resource Use in Kenya.
This course will address the contrast in Kenya’s physical and human environment, between highland and lowland, cropland and rangeland, domestic livestock and wildlife, modern and traditional ways of life and land-use systems. We will study the impact of the colonial regime on land ownership and resource use with reference to certain ethnic groups. We will also discuss responses to changing economic and political conditions in the post-colonial era. Also offered as Environmental Studies 240 and through African Studies.

245. Women and Land in Africa.
In this course we will analyze the position of women with reference to ethnic groups from different parts of Africa. Their significant role in food production and fuel wood and water collection creates a heavy labor burden for women with few ownership rights to land or livestock. Trends in colonial and post-colonial Africa provided education to some women but decreased property rights and increased their responsibilities. Through films and biographies, African women speak in their own words about the realities of their lives. Also offered through African Studies.

255. Environmental Perception and Indigenous Knowledge.
People in different cultures perceive their environments in different ways and have bodies of systematic knowledge relating to land, water, soil, plants and animals upon which they base their use of these resources. This course explores how indigenous people understand the interrelationship of the different elements of their environments and have used them for sustainable livelihood. We will discuss the impact of Western knowledge systems and commercial interests on indigenous communities, with reference to African and American case studies. Also offered as Environmental Studies 255 and through African Studies and Native American Studies.

275. Aboriginal Australia.
This course examines the richness and diversity of traditional Australian Aboriginal cultures viewed from a variety of perspectives, including archaeology, ecology, economics, social organization, politics, religion, gender relations and modern problems that come with urbanization, economic development and incorporation into an Anglo-European state system. The description and analysis of dominant Aboriginal themes are set within a broader framework of anthropological theory and inquiry through time. Students will learn about the nature of social and cultural forms as they are thought to have been prior to the European invasion and during colonization and how these have been adapted (or resisted adaptation) to the contemporary Australian socio-cultural system. Recommended for students applying to study in Australia.

304. Language, Culture and Society.
Ever notice that some people talk funny? Ever feel confused when someone else thinks you talk funny, whether it be your accent, turn of phrase or word use? Why does everyone but you have an accent? And what’s really wrong, with, like, saying “like” like that? This course examines social and cultural aspects of language use, misuse and abuse. We will concentrate on issues such as ethnicity, social class, gender and power in language access and use patterns both across cultures and within the United States. In addition we will examine different genres of language performance (jokes, gossip, cursing behavior, proverbs, etc.) as linguistic vehicles of social control. Prerequisites: Anthropology 102 or 205 or permission of the instructor. Also offered through Global Studies.

308. Great Debates in Archaeology.
We tend to think of archaeology as just the study of human prehistory, but society’s attitudes toward the human past have changed a great deal over the years. When faced with wondrous yet puzzling archaeological remains that cover the globe, what were the reactions of scholars and laypeople 100 years ago? 500 years ago? 1000 years ago? This course traces the intriguing history of archaeological investigations, from its antiquarian, “treasure hunt” origins to its modern incarnation as a systematic, scientific discipline. We will examine how the practice of archaeology has been shaped by the social and political climates of different eras; we will explore the impact of changing notions toward historical time, human progress, and the “other”; and we will evaluate current 21st-century theoretical and methodological approaches to the practice of archaeology.

310. The Archaeology of Animal Bones (Zooarchaeology).
This course will focus on the integration of biological, ecological and cultural approaches to the identification of animal bones from archaeological sites, emphasizing the reconstruction of human diet and subsistence practices. Students will learn the basic theoretical and methodological foundations of zooarchaeological analysis, focusing on mammal bones recovered from archaeological sites. The approach will be lab-oriented, emphasizing learning techniques of analysis and interpreting bone assemblages. We will consider topics such as dietary reconstruction, butchery patterns, seasonality and taphonomy, as we analyze faunal assemblages from local archaeological sites and the New York State Museum. Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or permission of instructor.

340. Development Issues in East Africa.
East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) has scattered natural resources, including fertile farmland, minerals, forests and wildlife. A major constraint to development in much of the region, however, is the inadequate and unreliable water supply. This course focuses on resource use and development strategies attempted in East Africa from the pre-colonial past through the colonial and post-colonial eras. Case studies from each of the three countries are presented to show different development policies and practices.

342.  Pastoralist Peoples.
This is a seminar course in which individual participation, both in speech and in writing, is extremely important. We look at the past, present and future of pastoral nomads, with special reference to East Africa. Readings focus on how the women and men of these communities have defined themselves and how they have been perceived and defined by others. Evaluation of the ways pastoral communities are adapting to changing political, economic and social situations in East Africa allows us to consider the appropriateness of national policies of rangeland development and to recognize possible future trends in these areas. Also offered through African Studies.

343. Famine.
Physical, economic and cultural factors give rise to famines. Cultural factors include the ways different societies respond to food shortage and the role of cultural conflicts and misunderstandings in contributing to famine or preventing adequate response to food shortage. We will explore these issues as they relate to famines in Europe, Asia and Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. We will also analyze films and print media sources to evaluate the cultural image of famine fostered in the U.S. Also offered through Global Studies.

350. The Anthropology of Sex and Gender.
Westerners tend to think of male and female as fixed and unambiguous biological categories determined by nature. But non-Western societies interpret sexual difference in myriad cultural ways. The aim of this course is to examine cross-cultural variations in the perception and elaboration of sexual difference. We will focus on non-Western hunting, gathering, pastoral and horticultural societies, but compare and contrast these cultural forms with Western, industrialized societies as appropriate. This cultural diversity will serve as a backdrop for the interplay among ideology, childhood socialization and gender roles; differential status, power and prestige; symbolic connotations and reinforcement of gender imagery; and cross-cultural comparison of practices and attributes associated with sex and gender classification. Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, Gender Studies 103 or permission of the instructor. Also offered through Global Studies.

355. African Archaeology.
This seminar focuses on the origins and development of culture in Africa. We will reconstruct paleoenvironments and cultural patterns from the earliest archaeological traces two and a half million years ago through the emergence of iron-using peoples, by analyzing selected site reports. Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or permission of the instructor.  Also offered through African Studies.

379. Body, Mind and ‘Personhood’ in Anthropological Perspective.
What does it mean to be “human”? How do different cultures define human/non-human/other-than-human beings in the experiential world? This seminar will explore the role of culture in the symbolic and psychological shaping of individual human experience from birth through death, conceptions and comparative valuations of bodily features, ideal types, gender identity, individual goals for achievement and culturally accepted routes to achieving them. We will analyze cases from Africa, Native America and the Pacific islands, but we will also draw comparisons with “Western” ideas where appropriate. Some background in cultural anthropology or psychology is desirable. Not open to first-year students.

420. Views of Human Nature.
This course fosters an exploration of some of the important attempts to understand human social and cultural phenomena, ranging from early European efforts to account for human diversity to the spectrum of modern anthropological thought. Throughout the course we will be reading some of the arguments and analyses of people whose ideas have influenced views of why human beings act the way they do. We will also consider the nature of their disagreements and the issues that have persisted over the years in these debates, and we will argue these issues among ourselves. In the process of analyzing human behavior, the functioning of human societies, human trends and human differences, all of these writers have expressed their own concepts of what people are like. Each has a particular view of human nature, even if it amounts to the assertion that there is no such thing. We will explore the implications of these views, try to see them in the social and political contexts in which they arose and examine them with a critical eye. This course is designed as a senior capstone seminar for anthropology majors.

430. Human Evolution: The Fossil Evidence.
This seminar offers an overview of the empirical evidence and interpretive models of early human evolution. Emphasis is given to Plio-Pleistocene hominids from eastern and southern Africa. Specific topics for discussion include the divergence of apes and humans, origins of bipedality, the evolutionary relationships of early hominid species and the emergence of anatomically modern humans. Prerequisite: Anthropology 201 or permission of the instructor.

445. Magic, Religion and Myth.
We are born, we live and we die. Although this is also true of other animals, only humans are aware of the precariousness of life and the inevitability of death. Only the human animal sees a pattern behind the facts of existence and worries about life here and in the hereafter. Only humans create elaborate symbolic mechanisms to cope with these universal unknowns. This course examines how people cope with the trials and tribulations caused by the uncertainties of life through symbolic systems such as magic, sorcery, religion, myth and ritual. Ethnographic examples are drawn predominantly from non-Western cultures in Africa, the Island Pacific, India and Southeast Asia, but there will be some comparative discussion of contemporary Western cultural traditions as well. Recommended background: Anthropology 102 or 205 or permission of the instructor. Also offered through Global Studies.

447,448. Anthropology Topical Seminars.
Offered occasionally. These seminars deal with significant topics in anthropology on an advanced level. Recent offerings have been African belief systems, nationalism and the post-colonial experience in South Asia, the anthropology of war and raiding, Apache studies and the beginning of food production. Prerequisites: previous relevant course work to be specified in the Class Schedule or permission of the instructor.

489,490. Projects for Juniors and Seniors.
Open to qualified students who wish to pursue more specialized or advanced anthropological study and research on a specific topic under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Prerequisite: at least two anthropology courses and permission of the instructor.

498,499. Honors in Anthropology.
Open to anthropology majors with a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses taken within the department. Requires completion of a long-term project beginning late in the junior year under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Details are available from the department. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.