Anthropology (Anth)
I. Introductory Anthropology
Anth 1, 2, and 3 are taught each semester. Anth 101 and S Sci 15 are taught
once each year.
1. Introduction to Physical Anthropology (3)
This course examines the biological basis of being human. It compares us
with our primate relatives, traces the evolution of our species from 4 million-year-old
austra lopithecines, and accounts for the great anatomical and biochemical
diversity among modern human populations. \
2. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
Not open to students with credit in Anth 15 or S Sci 15. Examines the nature
of culture, humanity's unique mechanism for adapting to the changing environment.
It explores the varieties of human life and explains how culture has made
possible the range of different and successful societies, from hunters and
gatherers to industrial civilization.
3. Introduction to Archaeology (3)
Basic principles and concepts of anthropological archaeology. Surveys cultural
development in the Old and New Worlds. Emphasis on anthropological evidence
in reconsturction of cultural prehistory.
3L. Introduction to Archaeology Techniques (1)
Corequisite: Anth 3. Basic field and lab work in archaeology using data
collected in the Fresno area. (3 lab hours)
4. Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (3)
Linguistic influences on anthropological theory, Linguistic models in anthropology.
Language in human evolution. infrahuman communication systems.
15. Man's Place in the Natural Environment (5)
A special introduction, involving extended field trips, which integrates
introductory cultural anthropology and archaeology to explain how past and
present peoples have adapted to and altered biological and geological processes
and features. Offered only in the fall as part of the 17-unit "Man
and the Natural Environment" program which requires concurrent enrollment
in Biol 15, Geol 15, and N Sci 15. (Field trip fees: $150)
II. Method and Theory
These courses are offered once each year.
104. History and Theory of Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. A history of the growth of anthropological thought
through an analysis of the informational and explanatory powers of five
major theoretical schools: Nineteenth-century Evolutionists, British Functionalists,
Boasian Historical Particularists, Neo-Evolutionists/Marxists, and Cognitivists.
110. Introduction to Archaeological Method and Theory (3)
Prerequisite; Anth 2 and 3. The nature of archaeological data and their
use in reconstructing the lifeways of prehistoric peoples. Scientific method
in archaeology, data retrieval and interpretation, dating methods, site
formation processes, history of archaeological theory, present trends and
limits of archaeological research.
111. Field Archaeology (4)
Prerequisite: Anth 110. Practical experience in basic techniques of archaeological
survey, excavation, and laboratory analysis through participation in archaeological
research projects. Weekend field trips may be required. (2 lecture, 6 lab
or field hours)
115. Seminar in Anthropological Theory (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 104. Reading, analysis and description of major cultural
theorists and their contributions to modern anthropological thought.
117. Urban Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Overview of social science theories of urbanization
and urban life; reviews theories and methods used by anthropologists in
cross-cultural urban research.
118. Fieldwork in Complex Society (5)
Prerequisite: Anth 117. Basic anthropological methods and techniques
of research design, data collection, and data analysis. Field experience
in cross-cultural and institutional settings within the Central Valley.
(1 lecture, 8 lab hours, including weekend field trips)
119T. Topics in Anthropological Methods and Theory (1-4; max total
8)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Detailed consideration of methodological and theoretical
developments in the discipline, including an examination of their implications
in terms of ethics, public policy, etc.
III. Regional Ethnology
120. Peoples and Cultures of North America and Meso-America (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. A survey of the history and range of lifeways
developed by the American Indians north of the Isthmus of Panama in response
to the variety of ecological and sociopolitical pressures before and after
contact with the West.
121. Peoples and Cultures of South America (3)
Prerequisites: Anth 2. A survey of South American Indian tribes and
civilizations since prehistoric times, based on archaeological and ethnographic
data. Explores the interplay between environment and local cultural adaptations,
and examines the effect of historical contact with European peoples.
123. Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. An introductory survey of the cultural and historical
adaptations of societies in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam;
and of Insular societies in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Examines
the major effects of culture contact between East and West.
124. Peoples and Cultures of East Asia (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Examines cultural pluralism. Considers cultural adaptations
and change among minorities such as Moslems, Tibetans, and Mongolians in
China, and ethnic groups of Japan and Korea. Outlines kinship, religion,
organization, and technological factors in the Asiatic culture complex.
129T. Topics in Ethnology (1-4; max total 8)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Surveys the culture history of a major region
such as Africa, the Near East, India, or Europe.
IV. Regional Archaeology
130. Archaeology of Meso-America (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 3. Evolution of native New World cultures from hunting
and gathering to the rise of theocratic states such as the Maya and Aztec
in the area between northern Mexico and the Isthmus of Panama.
131. Archaeology of North America (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 3. Development of Native American cultures north of Mesoamerica
from the peopling of America to early historic times; languages, subsistence
strategies, land-use and settlement patterns, and technologic developments
in culture-ecological retrospective.
139T. Topics in Archaeology (1-3)
Prerequisite: Anth 3. Selected studies in the techniques, methods, history
or theory of archaeology in anthropology.
V. Cross-Cultural Comparisons
142. Anthropology of War (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Theories on the causes and evolution of aggression.
Explanations and implications of conventional warfare at different levels
of cultural complexity. The ecology and ethics of combat from warrior through
soldier to terrorist.
145. Comparative Religion (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Religious systems of nonliterate, peasant, and sectarian
groups. Anthropological theories of religion and magic.
146. Anthropology of Art (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2 or 3. A study of art within its socio-cultural contexts.
Emphasizes the perspectives and expressions of societies in the major world
areas.
147. Prehistoric and Primitive Technology (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2 or 3. Comparative analysis of techniques for working
stone, bone, wood, shell, clay, and fibers. Students use local native materials
to produce functioning tools and other artifacts. (l lecture, 6 lab hours
per week) (Former Anth 150T section)
152. Organization and Inequality (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Principles of organizational forms from kinship to
bureaucracy. Evolutionary links between organizational complexity and levels
of inequality. Types of human exploitation in bands, tribes, feudalism,
caste, and class systems.
153. Psychological Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Cultural and biological factors in cognition, learning,
values, decision-making and personality-formation. Cross-cultural perspectives
on mental health and illness; supportive and destructive patterns in culture
and behavior.
155. Medical Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 2. Cross-cultural examination of health practices and
attitudes. Ethnomedicine, ethnopsychiatry, epidemiology, and health care
systems of non-Westerners and of ethnic communities in plural societies.
159T. Topics in Cultural Anthropology (1-4; max total 8)
Prerequisite: Anth 2 and permission of instructor. Detailed consideration
of a single topic in cultural anthropology. Seminar.
VI. Physical Anthropology
161. Fossil Man (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 1. A critical examination of the fossil evidence for
hominid forms and behaviors in the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. Focuses
on the specific evolutionary factors which led to the emergence of modern
humanity.
162. Primates (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 1. An introduction to the study of primate biological
and behavioral evolution. Explores sociobiological theory in order to explain
the unity and diversity of social behavior in prosimians, monkeys, and apes.
163. Human Variation (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 1. A cross-cultural examination of variations in human
morphology, physiology, and biochemistry. Establishes the correlation between
variations in human biology and variations in climate, culture, nutrition,
and disease.
164. Human Osteology Laboratory (3)
Prerequisite: Anth 1. Laboratory identification of human skeletal materials;
estimation of sex and skeletal age; osteometric and odontometric analyses;
examination of skeletal/dental epigenetic traits; the diagnosis of pathological
lesions; statistical interpretation of skeletal data, with coordinating
lectures. (1 lecture, 6 lab hours)
165. Methods of Data Collection and Analysis in Physical Anthropology
(3)
Prerequisite: Anth 1. Techniques in anthroposcopic, anthropometric, osteometric,
odontometric and serological data collection and analysis; quantitative
methods; preparation and writing of technical reports.
169T. Topics in Physical Anthropology (1-4; max total 8)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Detailed consideration of a single
topic in physical anthropology. Seminar.
190. Independent Study (1-3; max see reference)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study
192. Directed Readings (1-3)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Supervised readings in a selected
field of anthropology. No more than 6 units may be counted towards major.