Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Major in Applied Anthropology

ANTH 7199. Dissertation.

This course provides students with structured support as they complete the research and writing required for the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Through this experience, students will demonstrate their mastery of advanced research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as scientific writing. The course builds toward an oral defense of the dissertation. Students must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation during each long semester until the dissertation is completed.

ANTH 7299. Dissertation.

This course provides students with structured support as they complete the research and writing required for the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Through this experience, students will demonstrate their mastery of advanced research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as scientific writing. The course builds toward an oral defense of the dissertation. Students must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation during each long semester until the dissertation is completed.

ANTH 7300A. Methods in Historical Archaeology.

This course is an advanced survey of historical archaeology methods and theories that will intensively examine current trends in historical archaeology. Students will also be exposed to the material culture from historic period archaeological sites in Texas and North America.

ANTH 7300D. Advanced Methods in Primatology.

This course examines methods used to study primates in captive and field settings, including observational and experimental techniques. Students engage with recent scholarly literature on primatological methods and apply methodological approaches to research scenarios and independent projects. Topics include research design, data collection and analysis, ethical considerations, and inclusive practices in primatological research. Emphasis is placed on selecting appropriate methods to address specific research questions in both laboratory and field contexts.

ANTH 7300F. Gross Anatomy I.

In this class, students will master the gross human anatomy of the back, upper limb, lower limb, head and neck. Students will dissect human cadavers in the lab each day, and will learn the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs of these areas.

ANTH 7301B. Primate Conservation.

This course introduces students to the diversity, distribution, and abundance of nonhuman primates. We will use principles from the field of conservation biology to examine the biological, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors related to primate extinction risk. Specifically, we will examine the various threats facing primate populations today, the ways that scientists define and monitor threatened/endangered populations, and the steps that are being taken to increase the likelihood of their survival.

ANTH 7301C. Design + Anthropology.

This course begins by examining human relationships with materials, technologies, infrastructures, and environments as a foundation for understanding how people design the objects and spaces they inhabit. It then analyzes design as a professional field and everyday practice, including histories and practices of design and their connections to social and economic systems. The course also explores theories, methods, and career pathways in design anthropology—demonstrating how anthropologists provide actionable insights for design in organizational and other settings.

ANTH 7301E. The Archaeology of Hunter-Gatherers.

This course examines the archaeological study of hunter-gatherer societies, tracing the development of this research tradition within anthropology. Emphasis is placed on methodological and theoretical approaches used to interpret material remains, including the integration of ethnographic analogy and environmental data. This course evaluates how archaeologists reconstruct subsistence strategies, social organization, and patterns of mobility among prehistoric hunter-gatherers. The course surveys key case studies from different regions and time periods to illustrate variability and change, while critically assessing the strengths and limitations of current interpretive frameworks.

ANTH 7301G. Mortuary Analysis: Perspectives on Death and Burial in the Past.

This course examines mortuary practices and the treatment of the dead in past human societies through archaeological and bioarchaeological evidence. The course analyzes theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches used to interpret burial practices, funerary treatments, and mortuary variability across cultural and temporal contexts. Emphasis is placed on the integration of material culture, skeletal data, and spatial patterning to evaluate social organization, ritual practice, and the role of the dead in human societies. The course also addresses comparative and cross-cultural approaches to mortuary analysis and the interpretation of mortuary assemblages.

ANTH 7301I. Medical Anthropology.

This course examines how understandings of health and illness are shaped by cultural beliefs, environmental conditions, and social contexts. It explores how human adaptation to local environments shapes patterns of health and disease, and analyzes how political and economic structures affect health outcomes and health-related practices. The course presents key perspectives from medical anthropology, including cross-cultural approaches to healing and the social dimensions of disease. It also investigates how global and local forces interact to shape health care systems and medical decision-making.

ANTH 7301K. Language in Society.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of how language varies across social contexts and how those variations both reflect and shape social life. It examines key theoretical frameworks alongside incisive empirical case studies to understand the social meanings embedded in linguistic practices. With a strong emphasis on ethnographic methods, the course provides tools for analyzing the diverse ways individuals use language within their communities and for engaging with the complex relationships among language, identity, and society.

ANTH 7301L. Linguistic Anthropology.

This course offers an intensive introduction to key theories and research methods in linguistic anthropology. It examines foundational approaches to the study of language in a social context, exploring how linguistic practices both shape and are shaped by cultural life. The course is organized into two interconnected components. First, it will engage deeply with a curated sequence of readings, paying close attention to the methodological tools and forms of evidence that underpin influential scholarship in the field. Second, through a hands-on field practicum, it will offer opportunities to observe language use in a real-world social setting, including how to produce systematic field notes guided by analytical questions developed in class. Together, these components provide conceptual grounding and practical experience for understanding and conducting linguistic anthropological research.

ANTH 7301M. Science, Technologies & Organizations.

This course explores the intersection of science, technology, and organizations through foundational theories, concepts, and methods in science and technology studies (STS) and organizational anthropology. It will examine concepts like objectivity, facts, authority, policy, infrastructure, and organizational power. The course highlights STS perspectives to investigate how culture and social structures influence knowledge, technology, and organizations. By exploring these relationships, the course emphasizes how anthropologists apply and justify anthropological perspectives in multidisciplinary teams and organizations beyond academic settings.

ANTH 7302. Teaching Anthropology.

This course introduces key concepts and practices in the teaching of college‑level anthropology. It provides training in the practical aspects of classroom instruction and is required for first‑year teaching assistants. Topics include relevant university and departmental policies, classroom technologies, development of a teaching philosophy, student support strategies, use of institutional resources, syllabus design, and effective presentation of course material. The course also addresses professional skills developed in graduate study, including teaching, mentoring, communication, and professionalism. The course does not earn graduate degree credit.

ANTH 7303. Ethnography of the US-Mexico Borderlands.

This course examines the history, cultural development, and contemporary dynamics of the U.S.–Mexico border region from anthropological and interdisciplinary perspectives. It evaluates broad theoretical and ethnographic approaches to understanding social, political, economic, and cultural processes shaping the borderlands. Topics of study may include labor migration, transnationalism, law and policy, religion, gender, social movements, and artistic expression.

ANTH 7304. Historical Archaeology.

This course provides an advanced survey of the theories, methods, and practices of historical archaeology, with emphasis on current scholarly debates and methodological approaches. It examines case studies from diverse historical and geographic contexts to analyze relationships between past societies and material culture. Through critical reading, discussion, and analysis of recent research, the course explores interpretive frameworks used in the discipline. Practical exercises introduce the identification and analysis of historical artifacts from Texas and North America within broader comparative contexts.

ANTH 7305. Anthropological Statistics.

This course is a leveling course that provides PhD students with a basic understanding of probability theory, descriptive statistics, and univariate and bivariate inferential statistical methods commonly used in the social sciences. The course introduces students to hypothesis testing and the application of parametric and nonparametric procedures widely used in scientific inquiry. It illustrates how to use the appropriate statistical tests with different types of numerical data. This course teaches the statistical formulae to demonstrate the assumptions required for each test, the limitations of the results, and appropriate interpretations of those data. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

ANTH 7306. Applied Statistics for Research and Data Science.

This course introduces foundational concepts in applied statistics and data science using widely available statistical programming tools. Topics covered include how to organize, visualize, and analyze datasets while developing skills in descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, statistical modeling, and introductory machine learning. Emphasis is placed on building practical skills for working with empirical data while maintaining clarity, reproducibility, and analytical rigor. Through practical exercises, students gain experience applying statistical techniques to real-world research questions across a range of disciplines. This course prepares students for advanced statistical applications in academic or professional contexts.

ANTH 7308. Cultural Resource Management.

This course explores the complexities of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) through analysis of case studies, legislation, and industry standards. It examines the intersection of law, policy, and practice in CRM and assesses theoretical and methodological approaches applied to real‑world scenarios. The course addresses professional roles within CRM, including project planning, community engagement, and regulatory compliance, with attention to management strategies used to address complex cultural resource issues in Texas and comparative jurisdictions. Emphasis is placed on evaluating regulatory frameworks and documented outcomes across public and private sector projects nationally and internationally.

ANTH 7310. Advanced Theory in Anthropology.

This course provides an intensive examination of contemporary theoretical currents in anthropology and situates them within the discipline’s broader intellectual history. It traces the evolution of key paradigms and debates that shape current anthropological thought. The course engages recent syntheses and innovations that bridge classical theory with contemporary perspectives. Emphasis is placed on developing theoretical fluency and crafting original analytical frameworks that advance each student’s research agenda and contribute to ongoing conversations in anthropological theory.

ANTH 7310F. Ethnography of the US-Mexico Borderlands.

This course examines the history, cultural development, and contemporary politics of the US-Mexican border region from interdisciplinary perspectives with a focus on critical theory and ethnography. Topics discussed will include labor migration, transnationalism, structural violence, religion and spirituality, gender, social movements, political ecology, and creative expression.

ANTH 7312. Seminar in Biological Anthropology.

This course introduces the historical foundations, central theories, and methodological approaches of biological anthropology. Topics examined include evolutionary theory, human variation, paleoanthropology, primatology, and skeletal biology as interconnected areas of inquiry within the discipline. Emphasis is placed on understanding how biological anthropologists develop research questions, apply scientific methods, and interpret evidence about human biological diversity and evolution. Through readings, discussion, and analytical activities, this course explores the development of the field and its contemporary applications. This course serves as a leveling experience for students entering doctoral study who have limited prior coursework in biological anthropology and does not carry graduate degree credit.

ANTH 7313. Seminar in Archaeology.

This course provides a foundational overview of archaeology for graduate students seeking preparatory coursework. Students examine the historical development of archaeological inquiry, major theoretical frameworks, and commonly used field and laboratory methods. Course materials include examples drawn from both New World and Old World archaeology to illustrate how archaeological questions are formulated and addressed in practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding archaeology as a scholarly discipline within anthropology. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

ANTH 7315. Advanced Archaeological Techniques.

This course provides advanced training in the identification, description, and analysis of archaeological artifacts. Rotating topics focus on specific classes of materials, such as ceramics or lithics. The course investigates theoretical frameworks, production technologies, functional and stylistic attributes, use-wear, sourcing, and interpretive methods. It includes hands-on laboratory work with collections, inculcates relevant scientific and quantitative techniques, and evaluates how artifact data inform broader questions about technology, economy, social organization, and cultural change. This course may be repeated once for credit, but no more than 6 hours will be applied to a student's transcript.

ANTH 7326. Technical Methods in Anthropology.

This course examines technical field and laboratory methods used by anthropologists and related disciplines to collect, process, and analyze data from archaeological, bioarchaeological, forensic, and applied research contexts. Emphasis is placed on the practical use of geophysical, geospatial, imaging, and characterization instruments, as well as on data acquisition, analysis, and management workflows. The course critically evaluates methodological capabilities, limitations, and appropriate applications of technical tools within anthropological research designs.

ANTH 7341. Professional Ethics In Anthropology.

This course examines the ethical dimensions of anthropological research and professional practice across the discipline’s subfields. Topics include analyzing key frameworks, including institutional review processes (IRB, IACUC), community collaboration guidelines, bioethical considerations, cultural heritage stewardship, repatriation procedures, and professional standards regarding intellectual property and publication. Questions surrounding advocacy and public engagement are addressed through critical, comparative discussion. Through case studies and evaluation of professional resources, the course covers the identification of ethical challenges, the interpretation of regulatory and disciplinary guidelines, and the application of well-informed reasoning to diverse research contexts.

ANTH 7344. Proposal Writing.

This course provides students an opportunity to develop the expert skills necessary to write competitive research grants and contracts for applied anthropology projects. Topics covered include how to read research proposal solicitations from public and private granting agencies, an understanding of the various sections required in each proposal, and a grasp of the details necessary for the budget section. The goal of this course is for students to write a complete research proposal for their doctoral dissertation research. Prerequisite: ANTH 7341 with a grade of "C" or better.

ANTH 7348. Cultural Heritage Management.

This course explores the principles, practices, and contemporary challenges of cultural heritage management at local, national, and international scales. It examines legal and ethical frameworks, including state and federal heritage legislation, international conventions, repatriation, and stakeholder engagement with descendant communities. Emphasis is placed on the integration of archaeological data, ethnographic perspectives, public outreach, tourism impacts, and strategies for sustainable preservation amid development pressures and global threats. The course prepares graduate students for leadership roles in government agencies, consulting firms, museums, and heritage organizations.

ANTH 7351. GIS in Anthropology.

This course introduces Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as analytical tools used in anthropological research. The course emphasizes practical methods for acquiring, managing, analyzing, and interpreting spatial data relevant to anthropological questions. GIS applications from across anthropological subdisciplines are examined while developing technical skills in data acquisition, thematic mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization. Instruction focuses on methodological principles, analytical techniques, and responsible data practices commonly used in anthropological research contexts.

ANTH 7352. Advanced Qualitative Methods.

This course presents advanced methodologies for qualitative research, ethnography, and cultural anthropology. It surveys emergent and specialized methodologies—emphasizing strategic improvisation and adaptive strategies within complex, multifaceted research environments—including sensory ethnography, digital methods, collaborative and participatory frameworks, and multimodal anthropology. Through practical, hands-on workshops, it also demonstrates advanced techniques in fieldnotes, data management and digitalization, coding and analysis, visualization, and ethnographic writing and presentation—prioritizing technical skill-building for advanced qualitative research in both applied and academic settings. Prerequisite: ANTH 7353 with a grade of "B" or better.

ANTH 7353. Applied Qualitative Methods.

This course is a skills-based qualitative methods class focused on designing and conducting applied anthropological research. Course content addresses the entire research process, including project design and sampling techniques, traditional qualitative methods, digital and visual methods, applied research approaches, strategies for meaningful community engagement, ethical implications, data management and analysis, and reporting. It requires the application of methods learned throughout the semester, culminating in a final research-based project. The course serves as a foundational methodological toolkit for qualitative research.

ANTH 7358. Curation of Archaeological Materials.

This course provides in-depth training in the theory, ethics, and advanced techniques of curating archaeological materials. It explores conservation science, long-term stabilization and preservation of organic and inorganic artifacts, collections assessment, exhibit design, inventory management, risk mitigation, and digital documentation strategies. Emphasis is placed on addressing the curation crisis, repository standards, compliance with federal and state regulations, and integrating collections into research, public outreach, and descendant-community engagement. The course prepares students for leadership roles in museums, repositories, cultural resource management, and academic stewardship of cultural heritage.

ANTH 7374. Advanced Topics in Biological Anthropology.

This course provides an advanced examination of selected topics in biological anthropology. Areas of study may include skeletal biology, forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, primatology, paleoanthropology, and bone or dental histology. Emphasis is placed on critical engagement with current scholarly literature, theoretical perspectives, and methodological approaches relevant to the selected topic. The course analyzes contemporary research, evaluates competing interpretations, and examines methodological strengths and limitations within biological anthropology.

ANTH 7376. Forensic Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains.

This course examines the forensic anthropological analysis of human skeletal remains within medicolegal and humanitarian contexts. The course analyzes methods used to construct the biological profile, estimate postmortem interval, and interpret skeletal trauma and taphonomic processes. Emphasis is placed on the integration of theoretical frameworks, evidentiary standards, and analytical techniques in the interpretation of forensic cases. The course also addresses professional practice, including report writing, case documentation, and the application of forensic anthropology in legal, investigative, humanitarian, and mass fatality contexts. Prerequisite: ANTH 5375 with a grade of "C" or better.

ANTH 7385. Specialized Studies in Anthropology.

This course surveys advanced topics in anthropology selected by the instructor, offering students the opportunity to explore specialized research areas. Topics include analysis of advanced scholarly literature, evaluation of competing interpretations, and consideration of how different methodological and theoretical approaches shape anthropological knowledge. This course focuses on the development of skills in critical reading, discussion, and academic writing while considering how anthropologists construct arguments and interpret evidence. Pedagogical practices include engagement in discussion, written analysis, and other assignments designed to develop critical thinking and disciplinary expertise.

ANTH 7395. Externship in Anthropology.

This course facilitates professional development beyond academia by integrating applied anthropology into professional work environments. It connects academic learning with practical experience through supervised externships in public or private organizations outside the university. The course enhances the graduate curriculum by providing structured opportunities for real-world application of anthropological knowledge and skills, fostering understanding of professional contexts and career pathways. Designed to enrich academic study with practical insight, the course may be repeated for additional professional exposure. Each externship encompasses approximately 120 hours of applied experience supporting long-term professional growth. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ANTH 7397. Directed Research.

This course provides structured, faculty‑guided preparation for doctoral candidacy examinations. It focuses on the development of targeted reading lists that reflect significant theoretical and methodological contributions within specific anthropological focus areas. Course activities include identifying major scholarly conversations, evaluating methodological approaches, and organizing literature in ways that inform the formulation of dissertation research questions. Emphasis is placed on professional research preparation, analytical rigor, and the articulation of disciplinary knowledge in written and oral contexts. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ANTH 7398. Collaborative Research.

This course provides doctoral students with structured opportunities to initiate, conduct, and participate in collaborative research with graduate faculty. Students engage in faculty‑mentored study design, data collection, and analysis appropriate to their research area. Emphasis is placed on professional research practices, effective communication of findings, and refinement of methodological and analytical skills through sustained scholarly engagement. The course may be repeated once for credit, with a maximum of six hours applicable toward the doctoral degree. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ANTH 7399. Dissertation.

This course provides students with structured support as they complete the research and writing required for the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Through this experience, students will demonstrate their mastery of advanced research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as scientific writing. The course builds toward an oral defense of the dissertation. Students must be continuously enrolled in the course during each long semester until the dissertation is completed.

ANTH 7599. Dissertation.

This course provides students with structured support as they complete the research and writing required for the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Through this experience, students will demonstrate their mastery of advanced research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as scientific writing. The course builds toward an oral defense of the dissertation. Students must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation during each long semester until the dissertation is completed.

ANTH 7609. Gross Human Anatomy.

This course covers the gross anatomical structures of the human thorax, abdomen, pelvis, perineum, back, limbs, head and neck, including muscles, bones, organs and neurovascular structures. It takes a regional approach to human anatomy and focuses on the daily dissection of human cadavers. Both the history of the individual and the history of the individual's ancestors explain modern human anatomy, and because of this, both an embryological and an evolutionary perspective are presented. These approaches provide scientific frameworks for interpreting human anatomical structure.

ANTH 7695. Externship in Anthropology.

This course facilitates professional development beyond academia by integrating applied anthropology into professional work environments. It connects academic learning with practical experience through supervised externships in public or private organizations outside the university. The course enhances the graduate curriculum by providing structured opportunities for real-world application of anthropological knowledge and skills, fostering understanding of professional contexts and career pathways. Designed to enrich academic study with practical insight, the course may be repeated for additional professional exposure. Each externship encompasses approximately 120 hours of applied experience supporting long-term professional growth. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ANTH 7699. Dissertation.

This course provides students with structured support as they complete the research and writing required for the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Through this experience, students will demonstrate their mastery of advanced research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as scientific writing. The course builds toward an oral defense of the dissertation. Students must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation during each long semester until the dissertation is completed.

ANTH 7995. Externship in Anthropology.

This course facilitates professional development beyond academia by integrating applied anthropology into professional work environments. It connects academic learning with practical experience through supervised externships in public or private organizations outside the university. The course enhances the graduate curriculum by providing structured opportunities for real-world application of anthropological knowledge and skills, fostering understanding of professional contexts and career pathways. Designed to enrich academic study with practical insight, the course may be repeated for additional professional exposure. Each externship encompasses approximately 120 hours of applied experience supporting long-term professional growth. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ANTH 7999. Dissertation.

This course provides students with structured support as they complete the research and writing required for the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of their faculty advisor and dissertation committee. Through this experience, students will demonstrate their mastery of advanced research design, implementation, and analysis, as well as scientific writing. The course builds toward an oral defense of the dissertation. Students must be continuously enrolled in Dissertation during each long semester until the dissertation is completed.