ANTH 1010 (ANTH 2346). Introduction to Anthropology. 3 hours. Surveys and explains the cultural, linguistic and biological legacy of humankind, form antiquity to the present, using the research tools of anthropology. Anthropology is both a scientific and humanistic endeavor that attempts to explain the differences and similarities between and among human groups. Anthropology studies where people come from, who they are, what they do, and why they do it. Satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
ANTH 1100. World Cultures. 3 hours. Introduction to the ways humans, past and present, have thrived in three different cultural worlds: tribal, imperial and commercial, including the interaction between people and their environments and the role of social power in determining the forms that human cultures have taken through history into the present day. Focuses on capitalism as a cultural form and examines its impacts on societies and groups in our increasingly interdependent world. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
ANTH 1150. World Cultures Through Film. 3 hours. Through the use of ethnographic and documentary film, as well as lecture/discussion, this web-based course illustrates the life ways, values and beliefs of human societies throughout the world. This survey includes examples from native North America, Latin America, Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, East Asia, Melanesia, Polynesia, modern North America and Europe. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
ANTH 2035. Urban Poverty. 3 hours. Poverty is an increasing phenomenon in the modern world. This course surveys the history and development of poverty in the western world with concentration on the problems of poverty in modern urban America. The course emphasizes the research of ethnographers in an attempt to help students understand the genesis and basis for the problem of poverty in U.S. cities. A holistic anthropological analysis is used to help explain this growing problem and its ramifications for the larger society. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or consent of department.
ANTH 2070. Introduction to Race and Ethnic Relations. 3 hours. Introductory examination of the basic theories within current and historical race and ethnic relations. Includes examination of evidence of continuing prejudice, institutional discrimination and modern forms of racism. Other topics include assimilation, pluralism, contact hypothesis, anti-racism, immigration, segregation and racial identity. Required for all ethnic studies minors. (Same as SOCI 2070.)
ANTH 2200. Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective. 3 hours. The construction of both masculinity and femininity in cross-cultural contexts. Also central are the issues and debates important within the last three decades of feminist anthropology that speak to the questions posed by widespread gender asymmetry and yet the abundant cultural diversity in the expression of gender ideology, roles and relations worldwide. The impact of the globalizing trends of capitalism and neocolonialism is addressed in terms of its impact of changing gender roles both in the first and third worlds. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
ANTH 2300 (ANTH 2351). Culture and Society. 3 hours. Cultural anthropology is the social science that tries to make sense out of people’s lifestyles around the world, encompassing many subjects such as law, religion, politics, health, language, economics and globalization. It involves analyzing human ways of life with holistic, comparative, global, and relativistic perspective. As we compare and contrast different cultures around the world, we just as often analyze ourselves. Satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
ANTH 2500 (ANTH 2302). Introduction to Archaeology. 3 hours. A survey of the techniques, methods and theories of archaeology. An important focus of the course is on the reconstruction of the culture and ecology of prehistoric societies in both the Old World and the New World. (Same as ARCH 2500.)
ANTH 2700 (ANTH 2401). Introduction to Physical Anthropology. 3 hours. (3;2) Study of human biological evolution from primate beginnings to the present era. Emphasis is placed upon anatomical and physiological variations and their adaptive significance. (Same as BIOL 2700.) May be used to satisfy a portion of the Natural Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
ANTH 3101. American Culture and Society. 3 hours. Basic concepts and theoretical models to approach the complexities embedded in the concepts of culture, diversity, and values as they are exercised in the American context. The diversity of cultural and historical processes from which these values emerged and how they have been transformed and are expressed in contemporary times through different themes and media such as family, ethnic or cultural diversity, consumerism, entertainment, and technology.
ANTH 3110. North American Indians. 3 hours. Examines the common stereotypes and media (mis)representations of Native Americans in order to see beyond such one-dimensional portrayals of American Indian life. Introduction to a number of important themes in the History of Native American peoples over the last 500 years, including colonization and culture change. Students gain a sense of the richness and diversity of Native American culture and experience.
ANTH 3120. Indian Cultures of the Southwest. 3 hours. The cultural history of the Native American populations in the Greater Southwest from prehistoric times to the present, with an emphasis on current cultural, political and environmental issues. Topics include prehistoric settlement, culture contact, colonialism, cultural identity, intertribal politics, economic development, health issues, indigenous revitalization and sovereignty movements, cultural resource management and tourism. Particular attention is given to the influences of Spanish and American political, military and economic forces, and to the relationship between the Southwest Indians and anthropologists.
ANTH 3130. African-American Anthropology. 3 hours. Develops a “double consciousness” of knowledge of African-American (or black) culture in the United States, the impact of blacks on mainstream American culture, and vice versa. Covers the role of U.S. history, politics and economics as having shaped and been shaped by the presence of people of African descent on this continent and in this hemisphere, including historical roots, classic literature, religion, social structural aspects of African-American culture, oral traditions, identity and representation.
ANTH 3140. Latinos in the U.S. 3 hours. Uses identity and resistance theories to explore the various constructions of Latin@ race, ethnicity and identity, and the social and political implications of being Latin@ today. Explores the ways in which Latin@s have been excluded from the national imaginary while maintaining and transforming their own cultural identify. How this process of marginalization has deeply changed the racial and cultural landscape for Latin@s and non-Latin@s.
ANTH 3200. Latin America. 3 hours. The indigenous, colonial and mestizo cultures of Latin America from prehistoric, historic and contemporary perspectives. The dominant culture groups that have comprised this region, and specific issues of conquest and colonialism, neocolonialism, the role of religion, peasants and social movements; and migration.
ANTH 3210. Meso America. 3 hours. The indigenous, colonial and mestizaje cultures of Middle America from prehistoric to contemporary times. Beginning with the peopling of the Americas and concluding with a review of current issues and politics, students explore the dominant culture groups that have comprised this region, and specific issues of colonialism, imperialism, neocolonialism, syncretized Catholicism, peasant rebellions, migration and globalization.
ANTH 3220. Mayan Culture. 3 hours. Holistic understanding of the ancient Mayan civilization, illuminating crucial economic, political and ideological contemporary processes; exploring the intriguing symbolism embedded in the ancient Maya culture; understanding colonial and current Mayan rebellions.
ANTH 3300. Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific. 3 hours. Surveys the diverse cultures and traditions of the Pacific, each with its own unique style and history covering thousands of years. Geography, politics, history, ethnography and economics of many cultural groups in the region, from the discovery of these islands to the present.
ANTH 3331. Forensic Anthropology. 3 hours. Course is part of a two-semester survey of the various forensic sciences with emphasis on direct examination of human remains and directly related biological evidence: e.g. anthropology, pathology, odontology. Students learn how cases arise; i.e. how remains are located, recovered and processed. Supporting biological, clinical, and physical sciences are also covered: e.g. toxicology, entomology, DNA science, forensic geology/palynology and remote sensing. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor. (Same as BIOL 3331.)
ANTH 3400. Peoples and Cultures of Africa. 3 hours. The diversity of African people and culture through a variety of sources—ethnographies, films, literature and narratives. The reality of life in contemporary Africa as well as the way it has been portrayed by anthropologists, explorers, historians and the media. Looks in detail at the continent’s rich geography, environment, history, politics, religion, economics and ethnicities, as well as the challenges that current events in Africa pose for the rest of the world.
ANTH 3500. Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East. 3 hours. The prehistory, history and contemporary situation of one of the most unusual areas of cultural diversity and human adaptation in the world. Special attention is given to the colonial and religious history of the area that underlies much of its current problems. Its unique role in the developing world economic system is addressed, as well as those current phenomena that make it such a volatile area.
ANTH 3600. Peoples and Cultures of Europe. 3 hours. Investigation of the myriad peoples of Europe within the context of the impact of broader trends and institutional frameworks. Micro- and macro-level analyses are used to understand a wide range of issues of both historical and contemporary importance.
ANTH 3650. Origins of Civilization. 3 hours. The comparative study of the cultural, technological and ecological patterns of change leading to urban civilizations. Surveys the archaeological evidence of the domestication of plants and animals, and the emergence of villages. The art, architecture, economic and sociopolitical characteristics of early civilizations in the Near East and Mesoamerica are examined. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or ANTH 2250 or ANTH 2500, or consent of department. (Same as ARCH 3650.)
ANTH 3700. Peoples and Cultures of South Asia. 3 hours. Survey of the culturally rich and diverse cultures and traditions of South Asia, each with its own unique history covering thousands of years. Provides an in-depth background and understanding of the peoples and cultures of this area, from prehistory to the present period of profound social, economic, political and technological changes.
ANTH 3710. Peoples and Cultures of East Asia. 3 hours. Overview of cultures and contemporary issues in societies in the Far East, in the context of social and political change and development. Anthropological and ethnographic studies, supplemented by selected research from sociology, history and political science, and specific areas of cultural and social change in each society, including kinship and family, ethnicity, economic and political development, industrialization, urbanization, and health and social policy.
ANTH 3720. Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia. 3 hours. Survey of mainland and insular areas of Southeast Asia. Development of indigenous cultures, the period of empires influenced by India and China, the merger with the Islamic world, Western colonialism and emerging nationalism, and the modern period of seeking its global identity.
ANTH 3900. Special Topics. 3 hours. Designed to develop greater understanding, awareness, appreciation and sensitivity to global diversity; the prehistory, history, social and cultural adaptations and practices of various cultural groups according to major geographical regions; the relationship among the various systems of culture; and the interconnectedness of peoples throughout the world. Among the cultural areas offered are Circumpolar Region, Eastern Europe, the Great Civilizations of Mexico, Australia, etc. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
ANTH 4000. Applied Anthropology. 3 hours. Development, theory, methods and approaches of applied anthropology. Through case materials, the course examines both the current and historical roles and contributions of the various subfields in the application of anthropology to the problems of culture. Special attention is directed at developing some understanding and appreciation of the problems and ethics involved in applied or practical activities and to developing the necessary skills and methods for assuming such a role as an applied anthropologist.
ANTH 4011. Anthropological Field Methods. 3 hours. Concentrates on the field methods of anthropology, in particular the various data gathering techniques, methods of analysis and field techniques of participant observation. In addition to acquiring the skills of the participant observation method, students gain an increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of the problems associated with conducting research in cultures other than their own. Special attention is devoted to the interactional aspects of dealing with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
ANTH 4021. Development of Anthropological Thought. 3 hours. Overview of the history of anthropological thought from its origins to the contemporary schools of anthropology, with emphasis on the scientific, intellectual and sociopolitical causes and consequences of changes in major conceptual orientations to man and culture. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 2300 or consent of department.
ANTH 4070. Urban Ethnic Cultures. 3 hours. Critical examination of how ethnic identity is experienced and articulated in the urban context, historically and contemporarily. Students are exposed to fundamental dynamics that influence the development and maintenance of ethnic cultures in cities by drawing on key concepts from anthropology and urban studies, to include: how ethnic and racial relations are socially structured in the United States; the symbolic materials and mediums through which people express a sense of ethnic identity and belonging (music, dress, dance and stories); and how these expressive cultures unfold in urban settings, both shaped by and reconstituting city life.
ANTH 4200. Health, Healing and Culture: Medical Anthropology. 3 hours. Contemporary medical anthropology, with a focus on the biocultural basis of health and global sociocultural variations in illness and healing. Study of comparative health systems, political-economic and ethical issues in health and care, health professions, and patients’ views of illness, and cross-cultural definitions and understandings of disease, illness and cure.
ANTH 4210. Culture and Human Sexuality. 3 hours. Examines sexualities cross-culturally in their specific historical, social, religious and political contexts to explore how that seemingly most natural aspect of humanity — sex — is structured and experienced very differently across the globe. A primary focus is how sex and sexuality are discursively constructed as a matter of utmost privacy, yet are paradoxically a matter of deep public concern. Examines the intimate connection between sex and the nation by exploring topics such as family planning policies, anti-sodomy laws, and laws against interracial marriages.
ANTH 4220. Anthropology in Public Health. 3 hours. Introduction to the contributions of anthropology in public health. Sociocultural perspective on the fundamentals of public health, including but not limited to international health, domestic health, epidemiology, infectious disease, child survival, women’s and men’s health, and health policy.
ANTH 4300. Migrants and Refugees. 3 hours. Anthropological understanding of “uprooted” and displaced social groups who leave their country and culture. Worldwide political, economic and social issues are analyzed, as are the process of accommodation, adaptation and re-creation of their cultural systems in different socioeconomic and political contexts. Beginning with general characteristics of the anthropological discussion on “displacement”, the course then ventures into different models for the analysis and understanding of migration and refugee movements.
ANTH 4400. Environmental Anthropology. 3 hours. Focuses on major environmental questions, theories, problems, issues and possible solutions illustrated by case studies from different parts of the world. Examines environmental issues pertaining to land, sea and natural resources; food production systems; deforestation; population problems; poverty and environmental justice; natural hazards and risks; resource conflicts and warfare; over-fishing; economic development; mineral and oil extraction; landscapes; and biodiversity conservation.
ANTH 4500. Language and Culture. 3 hours. Introduction to linguistic anthropology, designed to acquaint students with some of the ways in which languages and cultures are connected to each other, in that communication patterns are culturally structured. Three broad areas: how language offers resources to individuals to help them accomplish their goals; how language offers resources to institutions and social groups that help them maintain their power; and how language shapes our thought patterns. Students learn the basic techniques of analyzing conversations by working on a semester-long project.
ANTH 4550. Race, Ethnicity, and Identity. 3 hours. How race, ethnicity and identity operate as categories of social inequality. Draws on critical perspectives of race and ethnicity to analyze how they work as overlapping categories of both inclusion and exclusion that are used to divide, rank and discriminate. Discussion of possible ways to overturn the social injustices caused by ethnic and racial subordination as currently experienced in the U.S.
ANTH 4601. Anthropology of Education. 3 hours. Issues and approaches relevant to the study of education within the field of anthropology, including methods used in the study of education and schooling, and the significance of cultural transmission. Students are exposed to works in the field of anthropology about cultural difference, minority status and learning. Highlights new perspectives and critiques related to contemporary educational problems found in societies such as the U.S.
ANTH 4701. Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology. 3 hours. Selected topics of interest and significance in sociocultural anthropology. While this course is offered on a regular basis, particular topics are taught irregularly. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or ANTH 2300, or consent of department. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
ANTH 4750. Culture Change. 3 hours. Examines cultural change on the broad level of human evolution and the more specific level of directed change. Emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding of the interactional and multicultural aspects of directed culture change in all human groups. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or consent of department.
ANTH 4751. The Supernatural: Magic, Witchcraft and Religion. 3 hours. Focuses on comparing religious and supernatural belief across cultures, through the perspective of anthropology. The origin, development and function of religions in human societies, as well as classic anthropological concerns about the role of myth, ritual, ethics, magic and shamanism in society. By comparing what is religious in many cultures, students develop a better understanding of the relationship between human beings, religion, and their own religious beliefs. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or consent of department.
ANTH 4770. Ethnographic Field School. 3–6 hours. Field methods in anthropology. Practice of the unique field methods used in anthropology, especially “participant observation,” through travel to a domestic or international field site and becoming immersed in the local culture. Students gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary and historic culture through relevant literature on the area and anthropological field methods, and through practical experience by putting field techniques and methods of data gathering and analysis to work in the field. May be repeated for credit up to a total of 15 hours.
ANTH 4801. Topics in Physical Anthropology. 3 hours. Selected topics of interest and significance in physical anthropology. While this course is offered on a regular basis, particular topics are taught irregularly. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or consent of department. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
ANTH 4810. Archaeological Field School. 6 hours. Comprehensive training in site survey, excavation techniques, laboratory processing, restoration and analysis of archaeological materials through direct participation in an archaeological field project. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 2500/ARCH 2500 or consent of department. Held off campus; room and board fees may be required. Usually offered only during the summer months and based on the availability of field projects. This course is taught in cooperation with the Institute of Applied Sciences. (Same as ARCH 4810.)
ANTH 4850. Topics in Archaeology. 3 hours. Selected topics of interest and significance in archaeology. While this course is offered on a regular basis, particular topics are taught irregularly. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 2500/ARCH 2500 or consent of department. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
ANTH 4900-ANTH 4910. Special Problems. 1–3 hours each.
ANTH 4920. Cooperative Education in Anthropology. 1–3 hours. Supervised work in a job directly related to the student’s major, professional field of study or career objective. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours credit in anthropology; student must meet the employer’s requirements and have consent of the institute director. May be repeated for credit.
ANTH 4951. Honors College Capstone Thesis. 3 hours. Major research project prepared by the student under the supervision of a faculty member and presented in standard thesis format. An oral defense is required of each student for successful completion of the thesis. Prerequisite(s): completion of at least 6 hours in honors courses; completion of at least 12 hours in the major department in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the department chair and the dean of the school or college in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the dean of the Honors College. May be substituted for HNRS 4000.
Date of initial release: July 1, 2010 — Copyright © 2010 University of North Texas
Page updated:
July 27, 2010
— Comments or corrections: catalog@unt.edu
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