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Anthropology at PSU
Courses

Anthropology Course Listing
2007-2008 Anthropology Course Offerings

Anthropology Courses

Anth 101 INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
The biological side of anthropology: primate paleontology, human evolution, modern human
variation, and primate behavior.

Anth 102 INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (4)
The study of ancient and prehistoric cultures of the world. Introduction to the theories and
techniques of archaeological investigation.

Anth 103 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL/CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
Study of modern and recent societies in cross cultural perspective. Focus on methods for

understanding social and cultural differences and similarities.

Anth 300 THE MODERN WORLD IN ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE (4)
Examination of anthropological approaches to cultural diversity in a global context. Include
cultural contact between the Fourth World and the industrialized world; health, nutrition, and
poverty in different world areas; ecocide and ethnocide; political movements in the
Fourth World; racism; and sexism.

Anth 301 CULTURE AND ETHNOGRAPHY (4)
Cultural diversity and contemporary social issues examined through a series of ethnographic
studies that highlight the methodology and efficacy of ethnographic research. Topics may include,
but will not be limited to, issues of identity formation, gender, political economy, and transnational
culture flows.

Anth 304 SOCIAL THEORY (4)
Human social organization is examined in cross cultural perspective. Analysis of kinship systems
in stateless societies and of the state and other institutional arrangements in complex societies.
Attention to the historical development of major theoretical approaches to social organization:
structural functionalism, structuralism, human ecology, sociobiology, political economy, postmodernism.
Designed for anthropology majors and minors. Note: This course is not approved for distribution credits.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 103.

Anth 305 CULTURE THEORY (4)
Explores the historical development of the concept of culture within anthropology and examines
how this concept and the theories based on it have shaped both fieldwork practices and production
of ethnographic texts. Designed for anthropology majors and minors. Note: This course is not approved
for distribution credits.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 103.

Anth 311 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF LATIN AMERICA (4)
Introduction to the peoples and cultures of Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America,
and the Caribbean. Course topics include religion, ecology, race and ethnicity, gender, urbanization,
conflict, and social change.

Anth 312 SOUTHEAST ASIAN SOCIETIES AND CULTURES (4)
Introduction to the societies and cultures of Southeast Asia, the area encompassed today by the nations
of Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and
the Philippines. Course topics explore the religious and cultural diversity of the area, as well as
historical and cultural themes that traverse this region.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 103.


Anth 313 INDIAN WHITE RELATIONS (4)
Consideration of North Americans since 1500: Problems of social and cultural survival and change,
as well as changing governmental policies, population, non-Indian conceptions of "The Indian."

Anth 314 NATIVE AMERICANS (4)
Ethnographic survey of North American Indian cultures from simple hunter gatherers to complex empires
illustrating the patterns of adaptations to the variety of landscapes and historical processes.

*Anth 315 AMERICAN CULTURE (4)
Central beliefs and core values of modern American society are examined from an anthropological
perspective. Considers: value of constructs such as individualism and conformity; creation of public
images; kinship and friendship; privacy; schools and neighborhoods; and conflicts involving ethnicity,
social class, and gender. Questions the role of culture in our own lives, thereby gaining a greater
understanding of social experience and of the concept of culture.

Anth 316 TRADITIONAL EAST ASIA (4)
Comparative ethnographic examination of peasant cultures in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) prior to World War II.
Recommended prerequisite: students are strongly encouraged to complete Anth 103.

Anth 317 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF SOUTH ASIA (4)
Introduction to the peoples and cultures of South Asia, the area encompassed by India, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Butan and the Maldive Islands. Topics include cultural diversity,
religious traditions, the caste system, class and gender hierarchies, and social change.

Anth 318 Asian American Experience (4)
Explores the contemporary experiences of Asian immigrants to the United States, focusing on issues of migration, family adjustments, community formations, and identity constructions among diverse groups of Asians including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, South Asians, and others.
Recommended prerequisite: students are strongly encouraged to complete Anth 103.

*Anth 319 TRADITIONAL CULTURES OF AFRICA (4)
A survey of the culture history and characteristics of the traditional (before Western influence)
cultures of African peoples.

Anth 320 NATIVE AMERICANS OF THE NORTHWEST COAST
Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest coast are among the most affluent, diverse, and complex hunting-gathering peoples in the world. This course examines the unity and diversity of these cultures from Alaska to the Oregon-California border by tracing their historical evolution and responses to contemporary problems. Topics include: subsistence economies and resource tenure, social identity, art, ceremonial and spiritual life, culture change and revitalization, and modern indigenous-state relations.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 103, 313, or 314.

Anth 325 CULTURE, HEALTH, AND HEALING (4)
Introduction to the field of medical anthropology. Biocultural aspects of disease and healing. Comparison of healers and healing professions in Western and non-Western societies. Interactions among culture, social relations, environment, and health. Topics include healers and healing roles, ethnomedicine and medical pluralism, clinical medical anthropology, and nutritional anthropology.

Anth 330 ANTHROPOLOGY OF FOLKLORE (4)
Review of folklore - including legend, folktales, music and dance - and its role in society.
Emphasis will be on the study of folklore by anthropologists in both western and non-western
contexts. Explores how folklore can reveal social relations, conflict and resistance, social change
and gender relations.

Anth 333 ANTHROPOLOGY OF FOOD (4)
Explores biological and cultural aspects of past and present human food systems. Topics include nutrition, the cultural significance of food, domestication of plants and animals, archaeological records fo competetive feasting, global movement of foods during the colonial period, new revolutions in food technology, the politics and economics of contemporary food systems, and eating disorders such as obesity, anorexia, and bulimia.

Anth 335 ANTHROPOLOGY OF SPACE AND PLACE
Space and place are foundational to human cognition, emotion, and experience, and yet we often take them for granted. This course examines the origins, development and contemporary variation of human senses of space, place, and environment in a variety of cultural settings around the world
.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 102 or 103.

Anth 350 ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD AND THEORY (4)
A survey of current techniques and conceptual models applied in the discovery and analysis of
archaeological materials. The fundamentals of archaeological research design, field survey,
excavation, dating, cultural reconstruction, and the application of interdisciplinary studies.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 102.

Anth 355 HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE ORIGINS OF THE MODERN PACIFIC NORTHWEST (4)
Explores the origins of the modern Pacific Northwest from fur-trade/indigenous contacts to the present using theories and methods of historical archaeology in North America and elsewhere. Course topics include heritage, history, and interpretation; the archaeology of the fur trade; the industrial revolution & industrial archaeology; slavery & inequality; and military sites archaeology
.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 102.

*Anth 361 EUROPEAN PREHISTORY (4)
Methods and results of the study of prehistoric cultures of Europe from the earliest traces until the
advent of written records.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.


*Anth 362 AFRICAN PREHISTORY (4)
Methods and the results of the study of prehistoric cultures of Africa with an emphasis on those south
of the Sahara from the earliest traces until the first historical records.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.

*Anth 364 PACIFIC NORTHWEST PREHISTORY (4)
The prehistory of northwestern North America from its earliest occupants to the arrival of Europeans
with emphasis on developments during the last 5,000 years.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.

Anth 365 NORTH AMERICAN PREHISTORY (4)
A survey of pre contact cultures north of Mexico, from the first prehistoric migrant populations and
early hunter gatherers to the complex agricultural societies encountered by 15th and 16th century
European explorers.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.

*Anth 366 MESOAMERICAN PREHISTORY (4)
Early cultures of Mesoamerica with an emphasis on the domestication of plants and animals and
the development of civilization, focusing on the Maya and Highland Mexico.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.

*Anth 367 EAST ASIAN PREHISTORY (4)
The archaeology of China, Japan and Korea from about 1 million years ago to the establishment
of the Yamato State in Japan. Focuses on developments during the past 18,000 years, including the
domestication of plants and animals, the spread of agriculture, and the development of civilization
and regional states.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.

*Anth 368 OCEANIA PREHISTORY (4)
Reviews issues related to the peopling of Australia about 40,000 years ago, and subsequent voyaging
and colonization of all parts of the South Pacific. Examines prehistoric cultural developments in Hawaii,
New Zealand, Easter Island, and island groups in Micronesia. Examines evidence of human modification
of island ecosystems.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.


*Anth 370 PALEOANTHROPOLOGY (5)
Method and theory in paleoanthropology. A study of hominoid and human evolution from the Miocene
to modern times. Emphasis will be placed on the fossil record and the interactions between biology
and culture in the evolution of the human species. Four hours lecture and one biweekly laboratory.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 101.


*Anth 372 HUMAN VARIATION (4)
The causes and significance of biological variation in contemporary human populations-genetic,
environmental and cultural factors.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 101.

*Anth 373 PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR (4)
Study of origins, diversity, ecology, behavior, and conservation of living non-human primates.
Primate ecology and behavior are explored from a comparative and evolutionary perspective.
Emphasis is on primates in natural habitats rather than in captive settings, spanning apes,
monkeys, and prosimians.
Prerequisite: Anth 101 or consent of instructor.


Anth 399 SPECIAL STUDIES (Credit to be arranged.)

Anth 401/501 RESEARCH (Credit to be arranged.) Consent of instructor.

Anth 404/504 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION/ INTERNSHIP (Credit to be arranged.)

Anth 405/505 READING AND CONFERENCE (Credit to be arranged.) Consent of instructor.

Anth 407/507 SEMINAR (Credit to be arranged.) Consent of instructor.

Anth 410/510 SELECTED TOPICS (Credit to be arranged. ) Consent of instructor.

Anth 412/512 RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
Methods and techniques of research involving primary contacts with people, institutions and
communities. The initiating and developing of projects designed to produce data for basic
ethnographic, as well as applied, anthropological research.
Recommended prerequisite: 12 credits in anthropology (Anth 304,305 strongly recommended).


*Anth 414/514 CULTURE AND ECOLOGY (4)
A critical analysis of the interrelations of culture, social structure, and human ecology.
Social organization as influenced by characteristic patterns of resource exploitation. The uses
of natural environment from the viewpoint of the members of societies.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 304, 305.

Anth 415/515 APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
The application of anthropological knowledge to various kinds of projects and action programs
in which cultural factors are critical elements. An examination of problems produced by rapid
technological, social and cultural change, conflicts of values, and unequal access to resources
in multi ethnic societies and "developing" nations; research leading to possible solutions is considered.
Recommended prerequisite: 8 credits in anthropology (Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended).


*Anth 416/516 URBAN ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
Cross cultural examination of urban phenomena including: variability in cultural and institutional
patterning of cities, acculturation processes affecting urban populations, migration and social
accommodation of rural and tribal peoples to urban settings, and the varieties of new subcultures
that emerge in urban society.
Recommended prerequisite: 8 credits in sociocultural anthropology or allied social science
(Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended).


Anth 417/517 INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA (4)
An advanced study of the aboriginal peoples of North America, linguistic and cultural relations,
selected problems in the reconstruction of culture history and in the interpretation of native social systems.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 313 and 314 or two courses on Native Americans in any department
.

Anth 418/518 ENVIRONMENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY
What can anthropology teach us about contemporary environmental problems? Emphasizing key issues of environmental change, adaptation, conservation and sustainability, biocultural diversity, resilience, political ecology, and environmental justice, this course examines how the cross-cultural study of human-environmental relations can improve our understanding of contemporary environmental problems and their solutions.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 102, 103, 301 or 304, 414/514.

Anth 422/522 CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN INDIAN POLICY (4)
An examination of current federal, state, and tribal law and policy pertaining to Indian affairs,
including tribal government organization, government-to-government relations, economic development,
natural and cultural resource management, health care, welfare, and education. Both reservation
communities and the Portland metropolitan Indian community are considered. Student research is
based on reading, field trips, and interviews with tribal officials and other policy professionals.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 313, 314.

*Anth 425/525 PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
Examination of critical, interpretive, and ecological perspectives in medical anthropology. Anthropological study of practice of biomedicine in the United States, and response to global diseases, including AIDS. Topics include the new medical technologies, social meanings of the body, bioethics, and the medicalization of social problems.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 325 or 8 credits of sociocultural anthropology
(Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended. Anth 101 helpful).

Anth 426/526 TRANSNATIONALISM AND MIGRATION (4)
In-depth exploration of globalization, transnationalism, and migration. Topics include colonialism
and the history of world connections, the global economic system, cultural imperialism, nationalism
and identity, migration, refugees, tourism, and the commodification of local cultures.

Recommended p
rerequisite: 8 credits in socio-cultural anthropology
(Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended.)

*Anth 428/528 POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
Survey of major anthropological approaches to politics and power. Coverage includes structural
functionalism, evolutionism, action theory, structuralism, political economy, and post structuralism.
Ethnographic cases include both primitive politics and contemporary ethnic, class, and gender struggles
in heterogeneous societies.
Recommended prerequisites: 8 credits sociocultural anthropology
(Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended).


*Anth 430/530 MYTH, RITUAL, AND SYMBOL (4)
A critical examination of both classic and recent anthropological theories in the cross cultural study
of symbolic forms.
Recommended prerequisite: 8 credits in sociocultural anthropology
(Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended).


*Anth 431/531 ADVANCED TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICA (4)
In-depth exploration of a current topic in Latin American anthropology, especially in relation to
the study of social change. Course materials will cover both theory and ethnography.
Recommended p
rerequisite: either Anth 311 or two courses related to Latin America.

Anth 432/532 GENDER IN CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE (4)
A cross cultural examination of sex roles and gender beliefs including political, social, economic,
and ideological aspects of the position of the sexes.
Recommended prerequisites: upper division standing and at least one basic course in sociocultural
anthropology (Anth 103, 304, or 305).


Anth 446/546 CHINESE CULTURE AND SOCIETY (4)
Examines recent issues in contemporary Chinese culture and society including rural and urban
transformations, minority representations, gender shifts, religious and resistance movements and
other trends. Most years will focus on PRC but may also include Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Recommended prerequisite: 8 credits in sociocultural anthropology
(Anth 304 and 305 strongly recommended).

Anth 447/547 ADVANCED TOPICS IN SOUTH ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
In-depth exploration of a current topic in South Asian anthropology, especially in relation to social
change, nationalism and conflict, colonialism, or modernization. Course materials will cover both
theory and ethnography.

Recommended p
rerequisite: Either Anth 317 or two related courses in Asian studies
(Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended.)

*Anth 451/551 HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY (4)
A chronological survey of developments in the field of archaeological inquiry: major schools of
thoughts, innovations in method and theory, key personalities and their contributions.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 350 plus at least one additional upper division archaeology course.

Anth 452/552 LAB METHODS IN ARCHAEOLOGY (4)
Techniques and their applications in the analysis of materials recovered from archaeological sites.
Course content will vary, emphasizing the study of various artifact types-lithics, ceramics, textiles,
botanical remains, etc. (May be repeated with departmental consent. Maximum 8 credits)
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 350 plus at least one additional upperdivision archaeology course.


Anth 453/553 ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS (4)
The theory and practice of contemporary archaeological field investigation research design, survey
and reconnaissance, site excavation, sampling and recording techniques, cultural resource management.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.


Anth 454/554 ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SCHOOL (6) Archaeological excavation of prehistoric or
historic archaeological sites; or reconnaissance, survey and mapping of sites during a summer field
project. Approximately 40 hours of field work per week for 7 weeks, with a week of laboratory work.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.


Anth 455/555 ANALYSIS OF FAUNAL REMAINS (5)
Reviews issues of recovery, identification, quantification, and interpretation of archaeological
faunal remains. Seminar component involves discussion and critical review of recent faunal studies.
Laboratory component introduces student to skeletal anatomy of vertebrates (with focus on fishes and
mammals) and basic procedures used in faunal analysis.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.


*Anth 456/556 ISSUES IN CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (4)
Examines the current cultural, legal and regulatory issues, problems, and frameworks affecting
the management of cultural resources in North America and elsewhere in the world. Course
coverage will include such topics as the laws affecting antiquities trafficking, and the relationships
between indigenous peoples and archaeologists.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.


Anth 457/557 HUNTER-GATHERERS (4)
An investigation of the economic and social diversity among modern and ancient hunter-gatherers and the theories and methods used by archaeologists to investigate and explain that diversity. Examines topics such as the evolution of hunting and gathering, hunter-gatherer settlement and mobility strategies, social complexity among hunter-gahterers and hunter-gatherers in the modern world.

Recommended prerequisite: Anth 103, 350.

*Anth 461/561 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ARCHAEOLOGY (4)
In depth exploration and analysis of a major current problem in archaeology. Problems may be
substantive or theoretical.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 350.

*Anth 464/564 TOPICS IN NORTHWEST PREHISTORY (4)
In depth exploration of current problems in the study of Northwest Prehistory, particularly as it
articulates with general theories of hunter gatherer adaptations and cultural evolution.
Recommended prerequisite: Anth 364.


*Anth 471/571 ADVANCED TOPICS IN PALEOANTHROPOLOGY (4)
In-depth exploration and analysis of current problems in the study of Paleoanthropology.
Emphasis on articulation of evolutionary theory with fossils and other relevant evidence.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 370.


*Anth 472/572 POPULATION DYNAMICS (4) The study of the principles of Mendelian and population
genetics as they apply to the evolution of human populations and the maintenance of diversity in modern
populations. Emphasis also is placed on the articulation of genetic methods with evolutionary theory.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 372; 2 years of high school algebra or equivalent; Bi 341 as a pre- or co-requisite.

*Anth 478/578 HUMAN OSTEOLOGY (4)
The identification and interpretation of human skeletal material from archaeological sites: the
determination of age, gender, and population affinity; an introduction to paleopathology and
the recognition of genetic and cultural variation.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 350 and Anth 370.


*Anth 479/579 FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY (2)
Advanced techniques of human skeletal identification and their application to the solution of
medico legal (forensic) problems.
Recommended prerequisites: Anth 478/578 or consent of instructor.

*Anth 490/590 THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF VIOLENCE
Theoretical and ethnographic exploration of the nature of violence. Topics include identity politics
and nationalism; the biology of aggression and the cultural meanings of pain; state violence; symbolic
and structural violence; and human rights.

Recommended p
rerequisite: 8 credits in sociolocultural anthropology (Anth 304, 305 strongly recommended).

Anth 503 THESIS (Credit to be arranged.)

*Anth 511 CORE SEMINAR IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
A seminar that provides a methodological, theoretical, and substantive review and integration of
anthropological materials in social and cultural anthropology.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in anthropology and consent of instructor.

*Anth 550 CORE SEMINAR IN ARCHAEOLOGY (4)
A seminar that provides a methodological, theoretical, and substantive review and integration of
anthropological materials in archaeology.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in anthropology and consent of instructor.


*Anth 570 CORE SEMINAR IN PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (4)
A seminar that provides a methodological, theoretical, and substantive review and integration
of anthropological materials in physical anthropology.
Prerequisites: graduate standing in anthropology and consent of instructor.

2007-2008 Anthropology Course Offerings

Course Title

Hrs

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

 

 

 

 

INTRO TO PHYSICAL ANTH

4

ANTH 101

ANTH 101

--------

INTRO TO ARCHAEOLOGY

4

--------

ANTH 102

ANTH 102

INTRO TO SOCIAL/CULTURAL

4

ANTH 103

--------

ANTH 103

SOCIAL THEORY

4

ANTH 304

--------

--------

CULTURAL THEORY

4

--------

ANTH 305

--------

NATIVE AMERICANS

4

ANTH 314U

--------

--------

AMERICAN CULTURE

4

ANTH 315U

--------

--------

ASIAN EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA

4

--------

--------

ANTH 318

CULTURE, HEALTH, & HEALING

4

--------

ANTH 325

--------

ANTH OF FOOD

4

--------

--------

ANTH 333

ANTH OF SPACE AND PLACE

4

--------

ANTH 335

--------

ARCH METHOD AND THEORY

4

ANTH 350U

--------

--------

HISTORICAL ARCH/ ORIGINS MODERN PACIFIC NW

4

--------

ANTH 355

--------

NORTH AMERICAN PREHISTORY

4

--------

ANTH 365

MESOAMERICAN PREHISTORY

4

--------

ANTH 366

--------

OCEANIA PREHISTORY

4

--------

ANTH 368

PALEOANTHROPOLOGY

4

--------

--------

ANTH 370

PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

4

--------

ANTH 373

--------

VISUAL ANTH

4

ANTH 4/510

--------

--------

RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTH

4

--------

ANTH 4/512

--------

APPLIED ANTH

4

--------

--------

--------

INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA

4

--------

ANTH 4/517

--------

ENVIRONMENTAL ANTH

4

ANTH 4/518

--------

--------

TRANSNATIONALISM & MIGRATION

4

ANTH 4/526

--------

--------

GENDER IN CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

4

--------

--------

ANTH 4/532

CHINESE CULTURE AND SOC

4

--------

--------

ANTH 4/546

LAB METHODS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

4

--------

ANTH 4/552

--------

CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

4

--------

--------

ANTH 4/556

HUNTER-GATHERERS

4

ANTH 4/557

--------

--------

ADVANCED TOPICS IN PALEOANTHROPOLOGY

4

--------

-------

4/571

CORE SEM: SOCIO-CULTURAL

4

--------

ANTH 511

--------