DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY

Summer 2023 Class Schedule

Summer quarter 2023 course descriptions

ANTHRO 211 Culture and Society

Most cultural anthropologists would agree that there is no one definition of the field, or limit to its inquiry. Instead, it is a way of observing and participating in the world around us that has come to characterize the field and cement its place in social sciences. In this course we will practice how to think, read, and conduct research like a cultural anthropologist, and in the process, come to see the world as they see it. We will focus on ethnography, the primary method of our field, as a tool for inquiry, and as a way to better understand key themes and trends in contemporary cultural anthropology. These themes include but are not limited to: culture and environment; rituals and belief systems; kinship and social organizations; structure and agency; colonialism and capitalism; and social change and resistance. The combination of readings, films, news and social media content allows students to develop a critical lens that links their everyday experiences and conversations to larger societal and global issues. It further equips them with the skills necessary to engage in and develop mini ethnographic research projects throughout the course. By the end of the course, students will have gained foundational understanding of anthropological inquiry into the complexities of cultural and society as well as a well-grounded critical perspective to challenge ethnocentrism, racism, classism, and heteronormativity.

ANTHRO 213 Human Orgins

Biological anthropology is the study of human evolution and biosocial variation. This course focuses on theories, methods, and evidence for understanding human origins and contemporary diversity. Part 1 interrogates the scientific method, reviews mechanisms of inheritance, and discusses how theories like evolution came to be and changed over time. In part 2, we learn about non-human primates, our closest living relatives, to understand how their life history and behavior reflect the human condition. Part 3 continues this inquiry using the fossil record. Topics such as ecology, physiology, genetics, adaptation, and culture used throughout to enhance our understanding of how humans have adapted over time.

ANTHRO 214 Archaeology:  Unearthing History

When you first think of "archaeology," the images that might come to mind include grand pyramids, buried treasure, or even the popular movie hero, Indiana Jones. But in reality, archaeology is much more than treasure hunting - it involves the systematic study of the material traces left behind by humans across time and space. These materials, from the remains of buildings, to household trash deposits, to human burials, and much more, can yield important insights about the past. This course provides an introduction to anthropological archaeology: the study of past people and societies through their associated material traces. Students will learn about the methodological approaches in archaeology including excavation, laboratory, and digital techniques. Classes will include a focus on topics such as landscape analysis, food remains, and glass and ceramic artifacts. We will cover the history of the field and key theoretical debates. We will also cover archaeology's relevance to contemporary political and social topics, for example, Black history and anti-racism work, immigration, Indigenous histories, queer and transgender heritage, environmental justice, gender equity, and sustainability. Throughout the course, students will engage with archaeological case studies to better understand how archaeologists use materials to understand the past and speak to present-day issues.

ANTHRO 215 The Study of Culture through Language

It is almost impossible to imagine a world with no language in it. Whether we use it to have a conversation with a friend, to read an email, to write a poem, or to post a tweet, language is foundational to our species and history. This course will introduce students to different theoretical and methodological approaches to the anthropological study of language. We will explore the foundational relationship between language and culture by studying how anthropologists understand the role of languages in our everyday experiences. Using a variety of resources, including but not limited to, ethnographies, podcasts, news media, and documentaries, we will unpack the multi-layered role language plays in socialization, globalization, and domination. The goal of this course is to help us critically analyze how language both reflects and creates ideas, cultures, and power dynamics.

ANTHRO 330 Peoples of the World: Anthropology of the Middle East

This course examines major aspects of social life in the majority-Muslim Middle East from an anthropological perspective, with a focus on the connections between cultural practices and political, economic, and social power. We will be particularly concerned with the effects on social life of colonialism, capitalism, nation-state formation, and political conflict as well as with the different ways that various social groups have engaged these processes. Selected topics to be investigated include: kinship, gender/ race/ class, religion, nationalism, and revolution. Throughout the course, we will maintain a critical perspective on how "the Middle East" is represented and understood in both popular and anthropological texts.