Anthropology Course Listings

An introduction to the fields of anthropology with emphasis on archaeology and physical anthropology. Explores the range of human biological and cultural diversity as indicated by archaeological remains and the human fossil record. Facts and theories about human nature and human culture are examined in evolutionary and comparative perspective.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the subfields of physical anthropology and archaeology.
2. Explain cultural relativism and the holistic approach that separates Anthropology from other sciences.
3. Discuss the basic facts and theories in physical anthropology, such as evolutionary theory and hominid origins.
4. Discuss the record of human behavior revealed through the recovery of material and non-material artifacts associated with past peoples.
5. Discuss the cultural development of past peoples using facts associated with events such as the hunter and gatherer Diaspora or the origins of agriculture.

This course explores the cross-cultural variability of human behavior and provides a holistic approach to understanding global diversity. We focus on how cultures shape and are shaped by the physical and social world around them, with particular emphasis on social stratification, political organization, subsistence, kinship, family, and religion. Throughout, students will gain an appreciation for the impact local and global processes have on cultural identity and enduring transnational inequalities related, but not limited to, race, power, gender, and wealth.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss the methods and theories utilized by anthropologists for explaining human cultural differences and similarities
2. Explain cultural relativism and the holistic approach which separates Anthropology from other sciences.
3. Discuss the diversity of human cultural expression within the framework of cross-cultural and comparative perspectives.
4. Discuss a variety of world views including attitudes, values, norms, or beliefs of other global cultures.
5. Analyze, with an informed perspective, aspects of international global systems including one or more of the following: culture, language, economics, politics, history, environment, geography, health.
6. Critically examine the cross-cultural impact of structural inequalities, including, but not limited to, race, class, gender, and social power.
7. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis, or evaluation of material covered in this course.

An introduction to the methods and techniques used by forensic anthropologists to identify and recover human remains and establish circumstances of death. Using case reports and skeletal materials, students explore how anthropologists work with other disciplines to estimate age, gender, ethnic affiliation, stature, traumatic injury and pathologies. Students will develop analytical and critical thinking skills needed to reconstruct events surrounding the life and death of individuals both ancient and modern.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the methods and techniques used to locate and recover human skeletal remains.
2. Explain the procedures involved in the initial treatment of remains, determining human from non-human bones, and estimating the minimum number of individuals.
3. Identify the bones and major anatomical features of the human skeleton.
4. Employ metric and non-metric techniques for determining sex, age, ancestry, and stature.
5. Describe how postmortem processes can be used to estimate time-since-death.
6. Identify the techniques used in determining trauma and/or pathological conditions of the human skeleton.
7. Organize and prepare oral presentations and written documents about issues and topics of concern to forensic anthropologists.

This course will offer students the opportunity to participate in an ongoing excavation of the Castle-Kumpf Farm, a 19th Century Euro-American farmstead located near Spencerport in Monroe County, New York. Students will broaden their understanding of anthropology, history, and science through training and practical experience in archaeology. Training and practical experience in a variety of archaeological field methods such as artifact analysis and record keeping will be provided. Students gain an understanding of basic techniques of survey, excavation, and post-excavation lab work. This will enhance concepts and practices acquired from previous coursework and be applicable to future courses, other archaeological fieldwork, or to their knowledge of local history.

This is a two-week course meeting for six hours each day (with a lunch break), Monday through Friday.

Prerequisite: ANT 101 recommended

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Define and discuss key archaeological terms and concepts.
2. Describe the methods used to survey and locate archaeological sites.
3. Demonstrate fundamental skills in conducting archaeological fieldwork including mapping, establishing an excavation grid, excavating in stratigraphic and arbitrary levels, and screening for artifacts.
4. Document archaeological fieldwork by completing excavation and feature forms, sketching stratigraphic profiles, and taking digital photographs.
5. Demonstrate basic skills in cleaning, cataloging, and preserving recovered artifacts.
6. Conduct a preliminary analysis of the artifacts to assess how they inform or support local historical knowledge.

This course is designed to address specific topics of interest in Anthropology. Offerings are more specific and focused than the introductory surveys. Examples may include Human Variation, Primatology, Anthropology of Art, and Ancient Texts.

Topics may change from semester to semester based on faculty and student interest.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe patterns of human adaptation within cultural or biological contexts.
2. Analyze different theories and perspectives in anthropology regarding cultural or biological phenomena.
3. Explain the inter-relationship of human biology and culture.
4. Compare and contrast cultural or biological variation between different groups through time or space.
5. Explain the value of anthropological theories or concepts in a global world.
6. Synthesize theoretical, empirical, or analytical information of cultural or biological phenomena.