Anthropology and Sociology Courses
Introductory Courses
101 An Introduction to Sociology (1)
(Sociology) Provides students with the analytic tools for adopting a sociological perspective in order to better understand their own lives and the lives of others. Emphasis on how sociologists think about the social world, how they research that world, and what we know about the social world based on sociological research. From our most personal experiences such as our identities and our interactions with others to the broader organization of institutions such as family, government, media, religion, economy and education, students will be encouraged to explore how social forces shape their own experiences and life chances and the experiences and life chances of others. Melzer, Verduzco-Baker, Staff.
105 An Introduction to Anthropology (1)
(Anthropology) What does it mean to be “human”? How can we understand human variation and change? This course provides a basic introduction to anthropology, with an emphasis on cultural anthropology. It also explores archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistics. Chase, Staff.
Biological and Ecological Foundations
250 Population and Environment (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) Explores the interplay between human populations and their physical environment from a social science perspective. Examines ways in which the dynamics between population processes and environmental resources determine prospects for economic development, urbanization, housing, food, literacy, quality of life for women, and household structure in a variety of countries. Environmental issues will include: desertification and deforestation, food and famine, grassroots environmental movements, eco-feminism, environmental racism and environmental regulation. Assesses policy responses to population and environment. Staff.
371 The Global Politics of Nature (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) An introduction to environmental anthropology. Explores anthropological perspectives on the relationship between nature and culture. What is the power of nature as an idea? What part does it play in American culture? What are some other ways people have thought about nature and culture around the world? Addresses global and local issues, the impact of environmental justice movements, and conflicts over conservation of species and habitats. Staff.
Archaeology
240 Ancient Civilizations (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) Although the human species has been on the planet in its present form for at least 100,000 years, complexly organized societies with cities, governments and organized religions did not emerge until the last 5,000. This phenomenon took place independently throughout the globe, and while some ancient civilizations collapsed, others became the foundations upon which the modern world was constructed. Why is this so? Through a comparative analysis of Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus, Maya, Aztec and Incan societies, among others, students will learn to analyze the factors that have led to the emergence and transformation of civilizations. Chase.
241 Principles of Archaeology (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) Archaeology is the investigation of human societies through the study of their material remains. It provides the only source of information regarding the period from the evolution of humans over the last two million years to the widespread adoption of the written word (in some places) over the last few thousand. During historical periods, archaeology gives voice to those rendered invisible by their exclusion from historical documents. More fundamentally, archaeology provides novel insights into the material worlds that actively shape as well as reflect social life. Students will learn the fundamentals of archaeological research through the analysis of case studies in conjunction with a series of hands-on field and laboratory exercises. Chase.
346 Archaeology of Social Change (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 241 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) In the last 6,000 years people from all over the world have shifted from living in societies in which status and leadership was based on age, gender, and individual achievement to societies in which some people are born into superior social positions. In most societies today—including our own—small groups of people have access to greater resources and economic benefits for little reason other than their family history. How did this come about? Why did people allow themselves to become the subjects of others? Archaeological case studies are analyzed in an attempt to understand this fundamental transition in human society. Chase.
365 The Archaeology of Empire (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) The global interconnections and inequalities that characterize the twenty-first century have their origins in the sixteenth-century European imperial expansions that drew peoples from all regions of the globe into novel economic, political and ideological relationships that fundamentally transformed the identities of all parties involved. European imperialism, however, was not a unique incidence of this phenomenon, but was rather the most recent in a series of colonial encounters that began over 5,000 years ago as the institutions of the world's first cities expanded their influence beyond the floodplains of Mesopotamia. In this course students gain a more complete understanding of the modern world through the critical review of case studies including Uruk, Greek, Roman, Aztec, Incan and European civilizations. Chase.
Area Studies
238 South Asian Identities (1)
(Anthropology) An introduction to the peoples and cultures of South Asia (Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan). Examines issues including caste, South Asian religions, family life, colonialism, communal violence, popular culture and the South Asian diaspora. Chase.
248 Social Change and Development in Africa (1)
(Sociology) A study of Africa both from historical and contemporary perspectives. Offers insights into Africa's political, socio-cultural and economic systems, population processes, the growing environmental problems facing the continent, and Africa's response to pressures for change. Also covers various policy issues designed to effect a development change for the African continent. Staff.
256 Native North America (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) The historical and anthropological study of Native peoples of North America, with an emphasis on the twentieth century. Topics include federal policy, political movements, gender, the construction of identities and relationships between scholars and Native communities. Same as History 256. Staff.
263 Modern China (1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) Same as History 263. Staff.
264 International History of Modern Japan (1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) Same as International Studies 264. Yoshii.
Society and the Individual
220 Animals and Human Societies (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) A comparative and cross-cultural exploration of how humans have interacted with, thought about, identified with, and represented non-human animals. Readings include classic anthropological approaches as well as more contemporary ethnographic and historical works. Specific topics include gender ideologies and natural history, medieval perceptions of animals, pets as a social phenomenon, animal rights controversies, biodiversity, representations of animals in mass media (e.g., King Kong), and animals as commodities. Staff.
222 Sociology of Childhood (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) Uses sociological theory and research findings to examine childhood and adolescence as historical constructs and social contexts (rather than developmental moments) and children as social actors in their own right (not only adults in the making). Pays particular attention to how race, class and gender shape experiences of childhood as we investigate what it means to be a child or adolescent in the United States, how children’s lives are shaped by their social contexts and how children as social actors shape the worlds in which they live. Verduzco-Baker.
225 Criminology (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) An introduction to the sociological study of crime, including varying definitions, causes, consequences, and societal responses. Scrutinizes multiple criminological theories (structural and interactionist), research methods, patterns in crime data, and public perception/media coverage, placing crime in a socio-historical context. Issues include criminal occupations, property crime, victimless crime, organized crime, white-collar crime, gangs, sex offenders, intimate violence and capital punishment. Melzer.
230 Men and Masculinities (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101, or Women's and Gender Studies 106 or 116, or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) Examines how biological males are transformed into boys/men who interact in the social world through shared gendered meanings. Analyzes various socio-historical constructions of masculinity both in the United States and beyond, paying particular attention to how these differ over time, across cultures and within subcultures. Focuses on gender as a central organizing principle of society, and how this socially constructed characteristic affects individuals (men and women), society and, quite literally, the world. Also examines relational aspects of gender including women and femininities, as well as comparing masculinities by race, ethnicity, class, age, sexual orientation, etc. Discusses structural inequalities, cultural similarities and differences, and individual issues related to masculinities. Melzer.
231 Understanding Media in a Globalized World (1)
Prerequisite: 101 or 105, or by permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) Introduces students to the anthropology of media in a globalized world. What are “media,” and what is the related concept “mediatization”? How can we begin to make sense of media produced in other locations or times where the cultural conventions and ideologies of interpretation (“media ideologies”) can be so different? How do new forms of media such as Facebook or the text message transform our relationships? How have anthropologists created various forms of media to represent the ways of life of the world's peoples? What are the political implications of representing others or ourselves? How can we evaluate claims about the power of media when new media such as Twitter or Facebook are said to carry political force, e.g., in the recent revolutions in the Middle East? Staff.
280 Children of Immigrants (1)
Same as Ethnic Studies 280. Verduzco-Baker, Staff.
332 The Anthropology of Sex and Gender (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) A cross-cultural consideration of sex and gender, drawing on ethnographic research conducted in a wide variety of societies, including societies in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. The course covers key theoretical approaches that have informed anthropological research on sex and gender. Specific topics include gendered divisions of labor, the cultural construction of sexuality, gender in colonial encounters and the politics of reproduction. Staff.
336 Social Psychology: Sociological Perspectives (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 and junior standing or above, or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) The study of the relationship between personal experiences and society. Explores how our sense of self, identity, subjective experience, feelings, beliefs, and relationships to and interactions with others are shaped by and influence social life. Focuses on theoretical traditions and trends within micro-sociology and their applications and usefulness for empirical research. Special attention will be paid to connecting the micro-workings of social life to larger institutional, cultural and political processes and issues. Melzer.
360 Intimate Violence (1)
Prerequisites: A&S 101, 224 (or Psychology 204) or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) Examines violence between intimates, primarily (but not solely) within the United States, covering a range of interpersonal relationships (children, parents, spouses, partners, acquaintances, siblings, etc.) as well as various forms of abuse (emotional, physical, neglect, sexual assault/rape, etc.) Traces intimate violence socio-historically, including theoretical, methodological, empirical and applied issues and debates within the field. Analyzes the incidence and prevalence of intimate violence, and, in the process, attempts to identify causes and solutions. Focuses on the importance of structural gender inequality in shaping individuals' violent behavior and the degree to which gender inequality influences various forms of violence. Melzer.
Social Institutions
235 Global Transformations (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology or Sociology) Is "globalization" just a marketing slogan or does it actually describe a process involving profound change in life on this planet? Topics include communication and transportation technologies, political and economic developments, commerce and consumerism in the modern world. Considers relationships between the global and the local and explores whether the changes associated with globalization are best considered as progress or problem. Staff.
253 Health and Environment: Anthropological Approaches (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) Focuses on the overlap between medical and environmental anthropology, between global health and environmental studies. Draws on ethnographic research concerning environmental impacts on health to consider case studies from many different parts of the world, varying perceptions of risks posed by particular environments, and struggles for environmental justice. Staff.
333 The Sociology of Sex and Gender (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 or Women's and Gender Studies 106 or 116, or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) Examines the social construction and social consequences of gender difference and gender inequality with a specific focus on the United States. Gender theory and research will be used to explore masculinity and femininity as identities, as behavioral expectations and as organizing features of social life. Covers belief systems; broad social institutions such as family, employment, media and health; experiences of sexuality and violence; and individual behavior such as personal styles and modes of interacting with others. Focus on how gender as an organizing feature of social life benefits some and is disadvantageous to others, paying special attention to how race, ethnicity, class and sexuality intersect with gender. Melzer.
345 Race and Ethnicity (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) Alternative theories of racial and ethnic relations, and their application to groups within the United States. Particular attention will be focused on the reasons for ethnic conflict and strategies for conflict resolution. Verduzco-Baker.
350 Comparative Families: A Global Perspective (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) What is the family? Is the family a "natural" unit or a social construct? Is the family a dying institution or is it merely changing? How do family structures, values and dynamics vary across cultures? How is family structure in the United States different from those in Nigeria, India, China, Sweden and Saudi Arabia? This course utilizes a comparative perspective to explore the changing family in its historical, cultural, economic, social and political contexts. Topics include variations in family patterns; marriage and related issues such as dating, mate selection, divorce, single parenting and family violence: poverty and stress in family life; communication; power relations; gender roles; and family policies in selected societies. Staff.
370 Social Stratification (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) An examination of the changing patterns of social stratification within the U.S. since World War II. Topics include income and wealth inequality, education and social mobility, the reorganization of the workplace, poverty and social welfare. Verduzco-Baker.
Theory and Methods
212 Sociological Theory (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101.
(Sociology) An overview of sociological theory from classical to contemporary, and an assessment of how these theories frame research and analysis. Theorists range from the foundational work of Marx, Durkheim and Weber, to the more recent work of Parsons, Goffman and a number of critical and post-structuralist authors. Highly recommended for students who intend to do graduate work in the social sciences. Verduzco-Baker.
224 Social Research (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or 105 and Mathematics 209, or permission of instructor.
(Sociology) An overview of social research methods (both qualitative and quantitative) with emphasis on quantitative methodology. Topics include problem formulation and connection between theories and research; research designs, measurement and sampling techniques; ethical issues in research; data processing and data analysis with discussion of descriptive statistics; hypothesis testing and chi-square tests of significance; correlation; and multiple regression models. Students design and carry out their own independent research projects in addition to an extensive application of SPSS in laboratory assignments using secondary data. Staff.
343 Theory and Method in Anthropology (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 105 or permission of instructor.
(Anthropology) Addresses questions surrounding what anthropologists should study and how they should study it. Considers how the basic assumptions, research methods, and the social conditions of anthropological practice have changed over time. Examines how anthropologists have been rethinking assumptions about culture, nature, power, the primitive and the modern, as well as the social and political conditions of research in colonial and post-colonial contexts. Also explores developments in biological anthropology, archaeology and other subfields. Staff.
Special Studies
187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. May be taken more than once for credit. Staff.
387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
391, 392 Internship (1/2, 1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) Staff.
408 Senior Paper (1)
Prerequisite: Senior standing, a major in the department.
(Anthropology or Sociology) An intensive study and written paper emphasizing a topic in either anthropology or sociology. Staff.
411, 412 Directed Study (1/2, 1)
(Anthropology or Sociology) Staff.
