Anthropology Courses & Descriptions
ANTH& 100 Survey of Anthropology • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 100 Introduction to Anthropology
An introductory course on the cultures and biology of humans, from scientific and humanistic perspectives. Explores all four fields of anthropology: archaeology (ancient cultures), cultural anthropology (contemporary cultures and cultural diversity), biological anthropology (primates, genetics, evolution, and human biological diversity), and linguistics (language and communication).
ANTH 106 Great Discoveries in Archaeology • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 104
Covers how ancient remains are recovered, the politics of ‘discovering’ such remains, and what these remains mean within a scientific framework. A critical evaluation of world famous sites (such as the cave paintings at Lascaux, Old Kingdom Egyptian Pyramids, Great Zimbabwe, Machu Picchu, Classic Maya site of Copán, Ozette in Washington state, and more) highlights key factors, such as racism and sexism, that influence interpretation of the past. An awareness of legal responsibilities facing world citizens and their collective past will be increased. A large visual component will illustrate salient points of the course.
ANTH 180 American Life and Culture • 5 CR
A view of American culture from the broad lens of anthropology. Topics include American popular culture, the historical background to American social and cultural values, and the effect of economic and political changes in American life. Situates American culture and society in the context of globalized world. Same as AMST 180. Either ANTH 180 or AMST 180 may be taken for credit, not both.
ANTH 194/195/196/197 Special Topics in Anthropology • V1-10 CR
Covers supplementary or unusual classes related to the field. Topics are announced in the class schedule.
ANTH 199 Individual Studies in Anthropology • V1-10 CR
Covers directed readings, special projects, and independent study by an individual student. May be repeated for a maximum of 15 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
ANTH& 204 Archaeology • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 105 Introduction to Archaeology
Finding and digging sites is just the beginning of unearthing the past. Archaeologists are scientists who specialize in survey and excavation, as well as analysis and interpretation of ancient and historical remains. The methods, techniques, and goals of archaeology are highlighted to provide a basis on which to understand our rich history.
ANTH& 205 Biological Anthropology • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 201 Physical Anthropology
An anthropological view of how human biological characteristics arose, our relation to non-human primates, and how we continue to be shaped by evolutionary forces. Major topics include human genetics, adaptation, monkeys, apes and prosimians, fossil evidence for human evolution and the study of biological diversity in contemporary human populations. Note: Fulfills Science course requirement at BC. Either ANTH& 205 or ANTH& 215 may be taken for credit, not both.
ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 202
Cultural anthropologists are social scientists who learn first-hand about other cultures by living with the people under study. Topics may include social organization, economics, power and politics, language, technology, religion and ritual, and gender. Wide geographic coverage provides a basis for global comparisons of cultural similarities and differences between human groups.
ANTH 207 Introduction to Forensics • 5 CR
Introduces the basic procedures employed by forensic anthropologists during the recovery and analysis of human remains and associated materials of legal interest. Explores how biological anthropologists apply expertise in osteology, skeletal variation and plasticity, skeletal pathology, archaeological recovery of evidence, and body decomposition to medical/legal investigations. Same as CJ 207 (prev ADMCJ 207). Either ANTH 207 or CJ 207 (prev ADMCJ 207) may be taken for credit, not both. Prerequisite: ANTH& 204 (prev ANTH 105) or ANTH& 205 (prev ANTH 201) recommended.
ANTH 208 Language, Culture, & Society • 5 CR
Explores the role of language in culture and society. Course covers tools for analyzing language, and examines cross-cultural and cross-linguistic variation. Focuses on cultural and social issues, such as attitudes toward regional and social dialects, correlations between social groupings and language behavior, the influence of language on thought, and the life and death of languages. Note: Fulfills Humanities course requirement at BC.
ANTH& 210 Indians of North America • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 210
Before Columbus, millions of people lived on the North American continent for thousands of years. Introduces the prehistoric cultures of USA and Canada through an archaeological perspective. Discussion includes several broad adaptations to various environments, such as Pacific coast, Great Plains, and Eastern forests, as well as major individual sites.
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with Lab • 5 CR
A hands-on laboratory approach to human biological characteristics, non-human primates, and evolutionary forces. Major topics include human genetics, adaptation, prosimians, monkeys and apes, fossil evidence for human evolution, and the study of biological diversity in contemporary human populations. Note: Fulfills Laboratory Science course requirement at BC. Either ANTH& 205 or ANTH& 215 may be taken for credit, not both.
ANTH 220 Culture, Sex, & Gender • 5 CR
An evolutionary, comparative, and holistic approach to sex and gender from the theoretical perspective of Anthropology. Explores the concepts of sex and gender through all four sub-fields (cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics). Readings examine both non-Western and Western cultures, illustrating how ideas about sex and gender vary in different times and cultures. Recommended: ANTH& 100.
ANTH& 234 Comparative Religion • 5 CR
Previously ANTH 203
A global introduction to the religions of the world from a broad comparative perspective. Students examine the development and aspects of various religions (indigenous, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and others). The relationship between religion and the social and cultural context are explored, especially in relation to nationalism, politics, and globalization. Same as INTST 234. Either ANTH& 234 or INTST 234 may be taken for credit, not both.
ANTH 235 Cross-Cultural Medicine • 5 CR
Overview of medical anthropology, a holistic and cross-cultural study of the human experience of health, disease, sickness, and healing. Cultural attitudes towards these elements are explored. The roles of biology, culture, political, and economic systems on health care are examined. Recommended: ANTH& 100.
ANTH 294/295/296/297 Special Topics in Anthropology • V1-10 CR
Covers supplementary or unusual classes related to the field. Topics are announced in the class schedule.
ANTH 298 Seminar in Anthropology • V1-10 CR
Includes seminars, workshops, etc., for which college credit is offered.
ANTH 299 Individual Studies in Anthropology • V1-10 CR
Covers directed readings, special projects, and independent study by an individual student. May be repeated for a maximum of 15 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.