Anthropology Courses

Anthropology | Courses | Faculty

(All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise noted.)

100 Human Nature (SBG)

For non-majors only. Introduces the full range of human cultural and biological diversity. Human evolution, rise and fall of civilizations, non-Western cultures, and the human condition in different societies today. Emphasis on the relationships among biological, environmental, and cultural factors.

102 Archaeology and Prehistory (SBG)

Introduction to archaeological method and theory along with a survey of human world prehistory through the rise of great civilizations. Topics include archaeological concepts, survey, excavation, analysis and interpretation of data, dating, research methods, and theories of cultural change.

103 Human Origins and Variation (BS)

With lab. The biological aspects of being human. Evolution, how and where the human species originated, and biological similarities and dissimilarities among contemporary human groups. The nature of scientific and anthropological inquiry.

104 Culture, Society, and People (SBG)

The nature of culture and its role in creating forms of social, economic, and political life in diverse historical and geographical contexts. Readings drawn from contemporary ethnographies of various peoples, analyzing the persistence of cultural diversity in the midst of global social and socioeconomic forces.

105 Language, Culture, and Communication (SBG)

Language from the perspective of the social sciences. Two foci: epistemological and ontological aspects of formal knowledge gathering; anthropological perspectives on language topics, especially phonetics, phonology, morphology, historical reconstruction, sociolinguistics.

106 Culture Through Film (SBG) (2nd sem)

Exploration of different societies and cultures, and of the field of cultural anthropology through the medium of film. Ethnographic and documentary films; focus on non-Western cultures and ecological adaptations, gender roles, ethnicity, race, class, religion, politics, and social change.

150 Ancient Civilizations (HSG)

The emergence and character of the world's first civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, Shang China, the Olmec and Maya of Mesoamerica, and the Chavin of Peru. Topics include the Neolithic background to the rise of civilizations and theories on the rise and fall of civilizations.

197B Introduction to Native American Indian Studies

Popular representations of Native Americans in the past and present contrasted with contemporary cultural, political, and artistic realities faced by Native Americans in the Northeast.

205 Inequality and Oppression (SBU)

The roots of racism and sexism and the issues they raise. The cultural, biological, and social contexts of race and gender and examination of biological variation, genetic determinism, human adaptation, and the bases of human behavior.

208 Human Ecology (SBG)

The study of human/environmental interactions. Emphasis on biological and cultural responses by contemporary human groups to pervasive environmental problems. Examples from mountains, grasslands, deserts, and tropical forests.

233 Kinship and Social Organization

Cross-cultural approach to the principles that mediate relationships among individuals, individuals and groups, and among groups within society. Focus on ties predicated on kinship, descent, and marriage.

234 Art in Cross-Cultural Perspective (ATG)

Cross-cultural and comparative perspectives on visual arts. Art in different cultures in relation to economic, social, and religious contexts, and as a universal human manifestation.

235 Ethnomusicology

Music as a universal element in human culture from a social science perspective. Surveys: the nature of music in physical, physiological, cultural, social, political, economic and historical contexts. Field project.

255 Pre-Industrial Technology

An archaelogical and ethnographic study of simple technologies, e.g., stone tools, basketry, metallurgy, etc., through time and their inter-relationships with other aspects of human society.

262 Introduction to the Cultures of Europe

Examines cultural processes at work in contemporary Europe, with special emphasis on the political and economic relations of the nation-state to subnational units and identities, defined variably on the bases of ethnicity, region, religion, language, and class.

270 North American Indians (SBU)

Survey of the indigenous people of America north of Mexico; their regional variations and adaptations, their relationship to each other, and the changes taking place in their lifeways, integrating nature and non-nature information.

271 Human Evolution

With lab. Reconstruction of the evolution of humans and our nearest relatives, with special emphasis on comparative anatomy as well as the fossil and archaeological records of human evolution. Lab concentrates on the comparative skeletal and dental anatomy of primates, with special focus on hominids. Prerequisite: introductory biological anthropology or biology.

306 Visual Anthropology

Examines visual representation in the field of anthropology, focusing upon ethnographic film and indigenous media. Prerequisite: ANTH 104 or 106 or consent of instructor.

317 Primate Behavior (BS)

Analysis of the behavior and ecology of nonhuman primates in their natural habitats. Topics include: the adaptive diversity of primates; ecological niche differentiation in primates; social organization and interactions; social cognition; mating and reproductive behavior; mother-infant interactions; development, life histories, and population survival; and primate conservation. Draws heavily on field studies. Prerequisites: ANTH 103, introductory biology, or consent of instructor.

320 Research Techniques in Physical Anthropology: Skeletal Analysis 4 cr

Lab. Methods for excavating and analyzing human skeletal material; emphasis on sexing and aging techniques. Problems of growth and development and in pathology. Non-majors require consent of instructor.

325 Analysis of Material Culture

Lab. Methods and lab techniques for the analysis of material culture. Relations of material culture to other aspects of cultural systemsóeconomic, technological, and social. Hands-on experience with materials from regional archaeological sites. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or equivalent.

336 Political Anthropology

Anthropological approaches to the study of public power in various cultural settings. The rise and extension of state systems and their interactions with subnational bases of political power.

337 Mesoamerican Archaeology

The prehispanic Mesoamerican culture process. The origins, growth, development, and partial colonial reconstruction of these unique native American societies. The intellectual history of Mesoamerican archaeology.

338 Culture and Society in Mesoamerica

The Mesoamerican subcontinent from the Spanish conquest to the present. The evolution of contemporary Mesoamerican pluralism and sociocultural integration. Understanding of contemporary Meso-american society through historical depth, study of rural communities (the mass of ethnographic work), and analysis of the role of power, politics, and money at the national and international levels.

360 Language in Culture and Society

Two foci: 1) the language-culture relationship as seen through investigations of the color domain; and 2) language variation and policy in multilingual states. ANTH 105 or equivalent helpful.

361 Peoples of Europe: The Western Mediterranean

Survey of the peoples and cultures of Mediterranean Western Europe. Emphasis on the historical span from the crystallization of distinct national cultures to the present.

363 Linguistic Anthropology: Comparative Dimension

Comparative analysis of language for purposes of classification and historical reconstruction. Processes of language change and convergence, first-order and second-order reconstruction, the identification of shared innovations for language classification, phylum linguistics. Prerequisite: ANTH 105 or consent of instructor.

364 Problems in Anthropology I

Introduction to major issues in anthropological theory. Focus on key concepts in the discipline, important authors, and development of and debates over theoretical issues. Required for and limited to anthropology majors; satisfies the Junior Year Writing requirement for anthropology majors.

365 Problems in Anthropology II

Continuation of ANTH 364. Further in-depth consideration of theoretical developments in the field. Required for and limited to anthropology majors.

367 Archaeological Survey Methods and Practices

Basic archaeological field surveying. Introductions to local prehistory, elementary research design, map reading, field reconnaissance, subsurface testing, and state regulations for field work. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

368 Old World Prehistory

Human cultural evolution from the origins of humanity to the rise of states. Focus on Africa, the Near East, Europe, China, India, and Australia. How archaeologists solve problems and what they contribute to social science. ANTH 102 helpful but not required.

369 North American Archaeology (HSU)

The history of Native North Americans from their arrival on this continent, sometime between 80,000 and 12,000 years ago, up until their initial contact with Europeans. Archaeology as a source for the telling of history sensitive to voices often excluded from the written record. ANTH 102 helpful.

370 Contemporary Issues: North American Indians (U)

Study and application of anthropological theory to contemporary problems of North American Indians in the Northeast, including an analysis of their environmental, economic, political, social, and religious variables involved in gaining a holistic perspective of contemporary indigenous problems.

372 Human Variation

Review of contemporary human variation in demography, morphology, physiology, and genetics. Emphasis on explaining, not just categorizing, the differences. Inter- and intra-population variation around the globe. Prerequisite: ANTH 103, introductory biology, or consent of instructor.

375 South American Archaeology (HSG)

Detailed cultural history of the South American continent beginning with the first Paleo-Indian hunters and gatherers who entered the areas 20,000 years ago and ending with the Spanish conquest. Emphasis on the Andean area; over half the course devoted to archaeology of Peru. Part of the Latin American Studies curriculum; open to majors and non_majors. ANTH 102 helpful.

376 South American Ethnology

Contemporary Indian and peasant societies of South America and their colonial background; their origins, way of life, and diversity. Emphasis on tribal Indians from a variety of geographic areas and different sociopolitical levels. Problems of Indian genocide and the acculturation of Indian cultures into modern society. Racial mixture and the nature of other ethnic groups in the continent. Prerequisite: ANTH 104 or consent of instructor.

382 Caribbean Cultures

The emergence of gender, race, and class conflict in settler Caribbean societies. Slavery, independence, the rise of capitalism, and the impact on workers and families. Structural adjustment and struggles to oppose its impact. Focus on Afro-Caribbean struggles and their spread to non-Caribbean societies.

397 Special Topics

416 Primate Evolution

Survey of primate evolution, including the evolutionary history of the prosimians, monkeys, apes, and humans. Emphasis on the diversification of species and the origins of humans.

467 Cultures of Alpine Europe

The cultures of the Alpine region of Europe, through history and in the present. Includes cultural adaptation to environmental variation in mountainous zones, the interrelationships of mountain and lowland communities, and the place of the Alpine zone in contemporary European political economy.

470 Cultures of Africa (SBG) (2nd sem)

The variety and richness of African cultural traditions south of the Sahara, and of the experiences and issues that have confronted Africans during and after European colonization. Issues in contemporary theory and method highlighted using African ethnographies. African anthropologists, novelists, and filmmakers featured.

473 Cultures of Southeast Asia

History and ethnography of the native cultures of Southeast Asia, including peasant populations and their expanding role in the development of modern nation-states.

479 Cultural Dynamics and Applied Anthropology

The social uses of anthropology and the issues raised by anthropological practice. Focuses primarily on applications of anthropology within the United States. Preparation for either a practicum or internship that will satisfy the "doing" requirement of the anthropology major.

481 Research Methods in Anthropology (R2)

With lab. Construction of research designs in anthropology, data structuring and analysis using tools of descriptive and inferential statistics. Prerequisite: completion of R1 requirement. Required for and limited to anthropology majors.

497B Anthropology in the Public Interest

Explores questions about community and the way it is undermined and sustained. Basic anthropological field methods and their application to designing and executing service-based ethnographic research projects in the Town of Amherst. One additional credit can be earned for 30 hours of community service through concurrent enrollent in ANTH 397S.

499Y Honors Research 1-4 cr

Research in preparation for Senior Honors Thesis. Prior arrangement with the Department Honors Coordinator and University Honors Program required.

499T Honors Thesis 1-5 cr

Preparation and writing of Senior Honors Thesis. Prior arrangement with the Department Honors Coordinator and University Honors Program required.

515 Primate Anatomy

With lab. Structural-functional analysis of skeletons as joint-link systems. Dissection techniques, evolution of complex adaptations, bone and muscle architecture, mechanical basis for movement. Lab provides experience in dissection and detailed work on the musculoskeletal systems of nonhuman primates. Limited to 15. Prerequisites: previous coursework in one or more of the following: biological anthropology, anatomy, exercise science, kinesiology, and consent of instructor.

520 Economic Anthropology I

Focuses on non-Western cultures. Anthropological approaches to economic phenomena; critique of leading theoretical perspectives in the field; emphasis on relationships among economic, political, ritual, and social aspects of culture; focus on tribal and archaic cultures. Prerequisites: junior standing; ANTH 233 or 15 hours of course work in anthropology or economics.

525 Archaeology and Law

Federal and state laws, regulations, and administrative procedures for protecting archaeological resources. Training for effective involvement in cultural resource conservation. Basic introduction to professional work in cultural resource management.

529 Archaeology of Northeastern North America

The prehistoric record of northeastern North America (Pennsylvania to Labrador). The initial peopling and subsequent cultural and demographic growth against background of climatic and geomorphic changes of the last 12,000 years. Major area problems stressed over regional sequences.

578 Theory and Method in Archaeology

Scientific archaeology in its different dialects. Problems archaeologists aim to resolve and the paradigms they use to address them. The culture and political economy of contemporary archaeology.

597 Special Topics

Anthropology | Courses | Faculty