Courses

This introduction to the anthropological study of language surveys core topics in linguistics (e.g., phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) and the relationship of language to social, cultural, and psychological factors. Nonverbal communication, evolution of language abilities, and historical linguistics are included, with linkages to the other subfields of anthropology.

This course is an introduction to the evolutionary biology of human and nonhuman primates. The course focuses on evolutionary perspectives on form and function, behavior, population, and social structure to reconstruct human evolution and explain human adaptations.
An introduction to archaeology as a method of inquiry, the course seeks to answer the question "How do archaeologists know what they know?" Topics include history of archaeology, field and laboratory methods, relationship between method and theory, and "scientific" and humanistic approaches to the interpretation of data.
Examination of the anthropological approach to the study of human behavior. Exploration of human dependence on learned, socially transmitted behavior through consideration of ways of life in a broad range of societies.

This course explores trajectories of human experience through the lens of cultural anthropology, a cross-cultural view of the individual within society. It promotes global awareness as a learning outcome, learning to perceive how cultural differences influence the dynamics of human interactions upon the individual through psychological and social changes throughout a human lifespan.  Focus is upon the integration of anthropological knowledge across the holistic four subdisciplines, and integration of student personal experience with interdisciplinary knowledge, academic trajectories, and topical interests. Students will develop an appreciation of the duties and rights of a global citizen, and skills necessary to live in and comprehend our pluralistic world.

The nature of science, disciplinary inquiry, and the changing intellectual, institutional, and material context of the development of anthropology and its four major subfields in the contemporary world. Identification of significant issues, schools of thought, and historic persons. Training in the analysis of primary sources, scholarly procedure, library research, bibliography, and professional format and style.
This course reviews the fossil evidence for human evolution in Africa, Asia, and Europe during the Pliocene-Pleistocene epochs. The fossil evidence is treated in temporal, geological, and geographic contexts. The primary focus is on the evolutionary implications of the fossil evidence for understanding the evolution of human morphology and behavior. Implications for the emergence of modern human races are also considered.
The reproductive and survival dilemmas faced by our ancestors have shaped our morphology and behavior in complex ways. This course examines the current theoretical frameworks for exploring human sexuality in evolutionary perspective. This course is taught face-to-face.
This course is an introduction to human behavioral ecology, the application of evolutionary and biological models to the study of human behavioral variation. Topics of discussion will include optimal foraging theory, kin selection, resource transfer, mate choice, and parental investment.
In-depth examination of a specific topic within biological anthropology. Topics vary with each offering. May be repeated for credit if topic differs.

Pages