Anthropology Courses (ANT)

ANT 6620 - The Rise and Fall of Complex Societies (3)

This course is a survey of the world's earliest complex societies and the legacy they left behind. Taught from the perspective of anthropological archaeology, the course will cover the basics of method and theory necessary to interpret the evidence of humanity's transition from a hunting and gathering life to sedentary life. This class compares the rise of complex societies in Americas, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and East Asia. Evidence and theories put forth to explain the rise and collapse of different civilizations and how this knowledge can be used to both document the past and better understand contemporary life.

ANT 6625 - Specialized Study in Anthropology (3)

This course provides the student an opportunity to pursue in-depth study on a topic or issue of personal interest under the guidance and direction of a department faculty member. May be repeated up to a total of six credit hours. See semester hour limits listed under General Regulations section.

ANT 6627 - Anthropology of Sex and Gender (3)

This course offers a cross-cultural and anthropological approach to a study of gender and sex. The course will explore some of the main questions that have concerned anthropologist over the years, such as the concept of sex versus the concept of gender, the theoretical debate about the status of women, and the gendering of work and social relations. The course will also cover the relationship between the body, sex, and gender; the historical roots of Western notions of the sexed body, third or alternative genders, and the intersections between gender, race, class, and ethnicity.

ANT 6630 - Anthropological Perspectives of Religion (3)

This course introduces students to cross-cultural and anthropological approaches to the study of religion. The course will explore multiple religious beliefs, meanings, experiences, expressions, and practices across diverse environments. Through an engagement with anthropological works on topics such as ritual, sacrifice, and death, the course will cover how religion is understood, experienced, and expressed across the globe. By the end of this course, you will have the theoretical knowledge and analytical tools needed to critically examine dimensions of the religion and situate them within historical and global context.

ANT 6633 - Food Justice (3)

This seminar studies the vibrant and growing range of social movements around food and agriculture. We will begin by examining several theoretical and conceptual frameworks for understanding historical changes and current dynamics in the international food and agriculture system. We will then examine different positions in fraught debates around population growth, hunger, and the appropriate role of bio-technology and agribusiness relative to low-input, peasant agriculture in feeding a growing global population. The remainder of the course will examine several case studies of social movements around land, food, and agriculture. We'll end the term with a look at emerging paradigms and alternative models, and examine dynamic current debates around food sovereignty and food justice.

ANT 6635 - Ethnographic Methods (3)

This course will explore the various methods used by cultural anthropologist to collect and evaluate ethnographic data.

ANT 6640 - Forensic Anthropology (3)

This course is a broad overview of forensic anthropology, the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process. Students will learn the techniques used by forensic anthropologist to identify human remains, both skeletal and decomposed. Topics include the determination of age, sex, ancestry, stature, and unique features of a decedent from the skeleton and how these are used to establish a positive identification. An overview of trauma and other pathological conditions of the skeleton show how forensic anthropologist can provide information to help determine the cause and manner of death. Classes will be a combination of lecture and laboratory exercises.

ANT 6645 - Medical Anthropology (3)

This course provides an in-depth study of multiple theoretical approaches and topics of research in socio-cultural anthropology related to health, illness, medicine, and healing institutions. In the current pandemic context, we will pay particular attention to critically examining how trust between medical experts and populations is constructed and challenged.

ANT 6665 - Advanced Readings in Anthropology (3)

This course is designed to allow graduate students the opportunity to acquire a basic background in Anthropology literature. The readings will be in specific areas in Anthropology. May be repeated (with different topic) for credit. See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.

ANT 6680 - Field Techniques in Archaeology (3)

Advanced instruction in survey and excavation methods and techniques used in the discipline of archaeology.

ANT 6681 - Internship 1 in Anthropology (3)

Internship with a recognized, professional anthropology related agency in which the student is assigned a specific task related to the field of anthropology. Prerequisites: SS 6690, SS 6691, SS 6698, and approval of the academic advisor and/or graduate coordinator.

ANT 6682 - Internship 2 in Anthropology (3)

ANT 6696 - Selected Topics in Anthropology (3)

An examination of a particular subject which is not offered under the normal course offerings. May be repeated (with different topics) for credit. See semester hour limits listed under General Regulations section.