Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in Anthropology (Archaeology Concentration Thesis Option)

ANTH 5199B. Thesis B.

This course provides structured, comprehensive guidance and support for the design, implementation, and writing of the master’s thesis. It emphasizes the development of rigorous and appropriate research plans, the systematic analysis of data, and the production of well‑organized scholarly writing that meets disciplinary and professional standards of excellence. Instruction also addresses preparation for the formal oral defense of the completed thesis. Continuous enrollment in the course is required each long semester until all thesis requirements have been fully satisfied.

ANTH 5299B. Thesis B.

This course provides structured, comprehensive guidance and support for the design, implementation, and writing of the master’s thesis. It emphasizes the development of rigorous and appropriate research plans, the systematic analysis of data, and the production of well‑organized scholarly writing that meets disciplinary and professional standards of excellence. Instruction also addresses preparation for the formal oral defense of the completed thesis. Continuous enrollment in the course is required each long semester until all thesis requirements have been fully satisfied.

ANTH 5301. Advanced Cultural Theory.

This course examines advanced theoretical and methodological approaches in cultural anthropology, focusing on how anthropological knowledge is produced, debated, and revised. It surveys a range of contemporary frameworks, including ontological, postcolonial, feminist, materialist, political-economic, environmental, experimental, and digital approaches for interpreting cultural phenomena. Thematic emphases may vary by semester, allowing students to engage with leading-edge research and ongoing debates that are shaping the discipline.

ANTH 5302. 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, including instructional planning, classroom management, and student engagement. Topics include university policies, use of instructional technologies, development of teaching materials, and approaches to supporting student learning. Students examine teaching strategies, mentoring practices, and communication methods relevant to academic settings. The course also addresses the development of course syllabi and instructional delivery in higher education contexts.

ANTH 5303. Speech Analysis.

This course provides students with theoretical grounding in the major intellectual traditions that have shaped linguistic anthropology. By examining foundational texts and influential debates, students gain the analytical tools needed to understand how linguistic practices are studied within broader cultural and social frameworks. Through close reading, discussion, and analysis, the course traces the historical development of key theoretical perspectives and evaluates their impact on contemporary research.

ANTH 5304. Language, Culture, and Society.

This course introduces students to the examination of the intricate relationships between language, culture, and social institutions. The course investigates how linguistic practices, the social variation of language use (grammar and lexicon) within and across communities, across time and place, and in relation to social categories such as ethnicity, class, and identity. The course introduces major theories in language, culture, and society, explores methodological approaches used to study language in its social context, and evaluates empirical research on linguistic variation and change.

ANTH 5305. Anthropological Statistics.

This course provides graduate students with a basic understanding of probability theory, descriptive statistics and inferential univariate and bivariate statistical methods commonly used in 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. Students utilized statistical formulae to demonstrate the assumptions required for each test, the limitations of the results and appropriate interpretations of those data.

ANTH 5306. Anthropology and Art.

This course uses techniques from cultural anthropology, art history, and archaeology to investigate the function of art and symbolism in human cultures and societies. It explores intersections between anthropological theory, material culture, and artistic expression. Topics may include foundational works in the anthropology of art, the role of art in human evolution, aesthetics across cultures, iconographic interpretation, the intersection of art and politics in past and present cultures, iconoclasm and aniconism, architecture, and dress and ornament.

ANTH 5307. History of Evolutionary Thought.

This course examines the historical development of evolutionary thought before and after the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859). It explores pre-Darwinian perspectives on biological change, Darwin’s contributions, and the development of natural selection theory. The course addresses the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis, including the integration of genetics, and examines how evolutionary theory has been interpreted in relation to concepts such as race and eugenics. Emphasis is placed on the scientific, historical, and intellectual contexts that have shaped evolutionary theory and its role in contemporary science.

ANTH 5308. Cultural Resource Management.

This course explores the complexities of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) through analysis of case studies, legislation, and industry standards. Students examine the intersection of law, policy, and practice in CRM and assess theoretical and methodological approaches applied to real-world scenarios. The course examines 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 5309. Culture, Medicine and the Body.

This course explores how the human body, functions of the body, and the practices of medicine and healing are situated and contextualized within cultural frameworks. The course examines key anthropological concepts related to culture, medicine, and the body, such as medicalization, biocultural disease, medicine and technology, biomedicine as culture, the social body, cross-cultural healing systems, and the experience of illness. Case studies cover body and health-related topics over the life course, from birth to death.

ANTH 5311. Seminar in Cultural Anthropology.

This course provides an advanced survey of the historical foundations and development of cultural anthropology, with emphasis on major theories, central debates, and methodological approaches. Topics include evolutionism, functionalism, structuralism, ethnoscience, neo‑Marxism, modernity, and postmodernism, explored through classic texts and ethnographic case studies. The course highlights connections between foundational theoretical perspectives and contemporary anthropological practice, providing analytical tools for interpreting culture, meaning, and power within global and historical contexts while situating anthropology’s intellectual legacy in relation to broader social transformations.

ANTH 5312. Seminar in Biological Anthropology.

This course examines the historical foundations, core theories, and methodological approaches of biological anthropology through its major subfields, including primatology, paleoanthropology, skeletal biology, and human variation. Topics include analysis of classic and contemporary scholarship to understand how biological anthropologists investigate evolutionary processes, human origins, primate behavior, and patterns of population diversity. Emphasis is placed on evaluating research design, interpreting major theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, analyzing empirical evidence, and situating scientific findings within broader anthropological questions. Class discussions, readings, and student‑led analyses provide opportunities to examine theoretical debates, methodological challenges, and the development of the discipline over time.

ANTH 5313. Seminar in Archaeology.

This course provides graduate-level instruction in the historical development of archaeology, major theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, and representative case studies from Old World and New World contexts. Emphasis is placed on understanding how archaeological knowledge is produced, evaluated, and applied within anthropology. The course provides students from all subfields with a shared foundation in archaeological scholarship and prepares archaeology students for advanced research by situating their work within broader disciplinary debates and practices.

ANTH 5314. Latin American Cultures.

This course surveys Latin American cultures through regional, historical, and ethnographic perspectives. It examines social organization, cultural expression, and systems of belief across communities throughout the region. Particular attention is given to how geography, historical processes, and local traditions shape social identities, political formations, and nationalist projects. Ethnographic case studies as well as literature, art, music, popular culture, and other multimedia sources are used to situate cultural dynamics within broader regional, hemispheric, and global contexts.

ANTH 5315. Archaeological Artifact Identification and Analysis.

This course provides students with the skills, knowledge, and ability to describe, characterize, and analyze artifacts commonly recovered from archaeological sites. Current theories covering the production and analysis of chipped and ground stone tools, ceramics, bone, and other materials are presented, and scientific analytical methods are discussed. Practical experience is gained through the analysis of prehistoric artifacts, including the design and implementation of attribute-based analytical coding systems and the statistical analysis of collected data.

ANTH 5316. The Origin and Evolution of Human Behavior.

This course presents our current understanding of Old World Paleolithic Archaeology. The origin and evolution of hominid behavior, the initial colonization of the Old World, and the development of modern human behavior will be discussed for each continent. (Stacked course with ANTH 3316).

ANTH 5317. Methods in Rock Art Documentation and Analysis.

This course examines archaeological methods used to document, analyze, and interpret rock art, with a regional focus on the Lower Pecos Canyonlands of southwest Texas. Instruction integrates fieldwork and laboratory training in the recording, processing, and management of archaeological documentation. Field activities introduce digital photography, panoramic imaging, photogrammetry, sketch mapping, GPS, iconographic inventories, and written site records. Lectures and readings survey theoretical and methodological approaches in rock art research and hunter-gatherer archaeology, while encouraging students to engage publications critically and evaluate how different forms of archaeological evidence are used to assess and compare interpretations of rock art imagery.

ANTH 5318. Archaeology of Texas’ Ancient Cultures.

This course presents current interpretations and ongoing debates regarding the archaeological record in Texas and introduces the variety of evidence archaeologists use to understand ancient cultures in the region. Texas has been a continental crossroads throughout its human history, linking varied terrain, climate, ecology, and cultural adaptations. The course surveys evidence for diverse ancient lifeways practiced over more than 13,000 years of Texas history in the context of broader cultural patterns across North America.

ANTH 5320. Rise of Civilization.

This course examines the origins and development of complex societies around the world using archaeological evidence and cross-cultural comparison. The major transitions in human history are analyzed, including the shift to agriculture, urbanism, social stratification, and state formation. The course evaluates key theories that explain why civilizations emerged and explores case studies from around the world, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, the Aegean, Mesoamerica, and the Andes. Emphasis is placed on archaeological methods, interpretive frameworks, and the various cultural pathways through which complexity developed.

ANTH 5322. Peoples and Cultures of Africa.

This course offers a balanced exploration of Africa’s diverse peoples, cultures, and histories within their local, national, and global contexts. It examines the geography, social organization, political systems, religious practices, daily life, and youth culture as windows into broader processes of continuity and change. Combining ethnographic case studies, theoretical analysis, literary expression, and visual media, the course develops critical perspectives on how anthropologists interpret cultural diversity, social transformation, and human adaptation across the African continent.

ANTH 5324. Mexican American Culture.

This course examines scholarly interpretations of the social and historical processes shaping Mexican American culture, with a focus on anthropological and interdisciplinary perspectives on the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. It analyzes the cultural history of the transborder region and explores cultural practices, community and political formations, migration histories, and expressive traditions as subjects of historical and ethnographic inquiry. Areas of study include visual art, music, film, and performance, considered as cultural texts that reflect broader social, regional, and transnational dynamics.

ANTH 5325. 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 5333. Research Design in Biological Anthropology.

This course introduces students to the principles and processes by which research projects in biological anthropology are devised, implemented, and communicated. Topics examined include how to identify and refine a research topic, define its scope and limitations, develop a focused peer-reviewed bibliography, and elaborate a coherent research design. Emphasis is placed on aligning research questions, hypotheses, variables, sampling strategies, data collection methods, and analytical approaches. Through readings, discussions, and structured assignments, the course addresses evaluation of ethical considerations, application of professional citation practices, and integration of advisor feedback into a complete thesis proposal.

ANTH 5336. Locally Engaged Research.

This course examines the practice of applied anthropological research through authentic collaborative partnerships with organizations and local communities. It introduces principles of organizational and community-based participatory research, oral history and archival methods, and qualitative data collection and analysis. The focus is on designing a semester-long project with a local community partner that addresses a unique research situation or problem, using professional standards for ethical collaboration, project planning, data management, and the production of public-facing deliverables.

ANTH 5337. Theory in Linguistic Anthropology.

This course examines the major theoretical traditions that have informed linguistic anthropology, emphasizing how key thinkers and debates have shaped the field. Students engage closely with foundational texts to understand the development of linguistic inquiry across historical periods. Through reading and discussion, the course traces the evolution of theoretical perspectives and their impact on contemporary research. The course provides students with a clear grounding in the central questions, analytical frameworks, and intellectual trajectories that define linguistic anthropology.

ANTH 5338. Principles and Practice of Geoarchaeology.

This course provides the skill, knowledge and ability to interpret sediments, record sediment and soil profiles, and the context of archaeological materials at archaeological sites. The course outlines the processes of fluvial, cryogenic and eolian sedimentary processes and natural depositional environments, weathering and erosion processes, soil formation and development, stratigraphic analysis, archaeological site formation processes and landscape analysis. The nature of stratigraphic systems including lithostratigraphy, pedostratigraphy and allostratigraphy are discussed along with relative and absolute dating methods.

ANTH 5339. Theoretical Concepts in Archaeology.

This course provides a broad survey of theory in archaeology, with an emphasis on how it is practiced in the United States. It examines the philosophical and historical foundations of archaeology from the eighteenth century to the present. The course explores the theories and frameworks used to interpret the material remains of past societies, as well as the historical and intellectual contexts in which they developed. Attention is placed on the use of theory in contemporary archaeology.

ANTH 5340. Paleoanthropology.

Critical review of the human fossil record from the appearance of the earliest hominins to the appearance of modern human forms. (Stacked course with ANTH 3340.).

ANTH 5341. Human Anatomy and Function.

This course introduces the structure and function of the human body through a regional approach to gross anatomy. Topics include major organ systems and anatomical relationships using texts, visual media, and online laboratory resources. Emphasis is placed on understanding anatomical terminology, spatial organization, and the structural features of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis, limbs, head, and neck. The course also addresses functional principles that relate anatomical form to physiological actions. This course provides foundational skills in identifying structures, describing spatial and functional relationships, and interpreting anatomical images used in scientific and health-related fields.

ANTH 5342. Primate Behavior.

This course provides an overview of the behavior and ecology of nonhuman primates, including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes. It examines the taxonomy of the Order Primates, including the biological features that characterize different taxa. The course introduces principles of behavioral ecology and surveys variation in feeding ecology, social behavior, predation, and ranging patterns across primate groups. It also addresses the effects of anthropogenic change on living nonhuman primates.

ANTH 5343. Human Variation and Adaptation.

This course examines human biological variation and adaptation from an evolutionary perspective, with emphasis on the mechanisms that generate and structure variation within and among populations. The course analyzes genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influencing phenotypic and genotypic variation and evaluates methodological approaches used to study human variation. Emphasis is placed on population history, evolutionary processes, and the interpretation of biological data in anthropological contexts. The course also addresses applications of human variation research in areas such as forensic anthropology and population studies.

ANTH 5345. Archaeology of Mesoamerica.

This course examines the development of complex societies in Mesoamerica from the earliest hunter-gatherers, through the rise and fall of major civilizations, into the early Colonial period. It explores key archaeological evidence for the origins of agriculture, urbanism, writing systems, ritual practices, ancient economies, and the development of states. Emphasis is placed on interpreting material culture, iconography, and settlement patterns within broader anthropological frameworks. The course highlights cultural achievements, environmental adaptations, and interregional interactions both within Mesoamerica and with other parts of the Americas.

ANTH 5346. Bioarchaeology.

This course examines the analysis of human skeletal remains within archaeological contexts, with emphasis on graduate-level engagement with bioarchaeological theory and method. Analytical approaches used to reconstruct patterns of subsistence, diet, disease, demography, biological relatedness, physical activity, and mortuary behavior in past populations are critically evaluated. Emphasis is placed on methodological rigor, interpretation of complex datasets, and critical assessment of bioarchaeological literature. Additional attention is given to ethical considerations, comparative case studies, and the integration of skeletal, archaeological, and contextual evidence in the reconstruction of past human lifeways.

ANTH 5347. Archaeology of North America.

This course surveys human settlement of North America from the end of the Pleistocene to the early historic period, spanning approximately 13,000 years. It examines how archaeologists study the past using evidence from the archaeological record. The course considers early hunter-gatherer occupations of Arctic, Plains, and forested regions from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts, as well as changes in economic strategies and social organization over time. It also examines the development of agricultural systems associated with societies such as the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian traditions in the Southeast and the Mogollon, Hohokam, and Ancestral Puebloan traditions in the Southwest.

ANTH 5348. 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 addresses professional contexts in government agencies, consulting firms, museums, and heritage organizations.

ANTH 5349. The Incas.

This course examines the origin, development, and expansion of the Incas, one of the largest empires in the pre-Columbian Americas, which covered much of western South America. Using archaeological, historical, and ethnographic information, the class analyzes and interprets the social, political, and belief systems that shaped this civilization. Topics include the origins of Inca society, political expansion, military strategies, religion, economic systems, art, systems of governance, the quipu recording device, and Spanish colonialism.

ANTH 5350. Gender and Sexuality in Global Perspective.

This course examines historical and contemporary research on gender and sexuality from global and comparative perspectives within anthropology and related fields. It surveys key theoretical concepts, methodological approaches, and interpretive frameworks used to analyze how gender and sexuality are conceptualized, organized, and regulated across different social, cultural, and historical contexts worldwide. The course examines ethnographic and comparative studies that address variation in bodily practices, identity, kinship, labor, power, and social regulation. Emphasis is placed on anthropological approaches to gender and sexuality through the examination of case studies from across the globe.

ANTH 5351. Anthropology of Peace and Violence.

This course focuses on the cultural, political, and institutional conditions that shape how aid, protection, and care are conceptualized and implemented. It surveys anthropological research on peace and violence, and how international relations, local contexts, social dynamics, and policy environments in addressing conflict, displacement, public health emergencies, and environmental disasters.

ANTH 5352. Research Design in Archaeology.

This course offers a structured approach to conceiving, organizing, and preparing a research proposal for an MA thesis in archaeology. It provides instruction in critical thinking, research design, and methodological approaches, with a focus on formulating research questions, conducting background research, and selecting appropriate methods. Emphasis is placed on both theoretical and practical aspects of archaeological research design, including the development of literature reviews, hypothesis formulation, and alignment of methods with research objectives. The course addresses the organization and presentation of research proposals within disciplinary standards.

ANTH 5353. Applied Cultural Anthropology.

This course explores applications of cultural anthropology to contemporary issues across a range of professional contexts, including user design, market and consumer research, and program evaluation. It examines the history, scope, and development of applied anthropology and reviews the methods used to address social and organizational questions. The course provides opportunities to practice ethnographic data collection and analysis through structured activities and assignments. Emphasis is placed on the use of anthropological perspectives and methods in applied settings, including the preparation of written and analytical outputs consistent with professional standards.

ANTH 5356. Andean Archaeology.

This course examines the archaeology of ancient societies in the Andean region of South America through a chronological exploration of cultural developments. It analyzes major transitions beginning with the earliest human presence, early hunter-gatherer communities, the domestication of plants and animals, the rise of complex societies, and the emergence of states and empires. Several cultures are studied including Chavín, Moche, Nasca, Wari, Tiwanaku, Chimú, and Inca. Emphasis is placed on archaeological evidence, interpretive debates, and regional patterns of political, economic, and religious organization.

ANTH 5357. 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 5358. 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 addresses professional practices in museums, repositories, cultural resource management, and academic contexts related to cultural heritage stewardship.

ANTH 5361. Qualitative Methods.

This course examines qualitative research methods central to anthropological inquiry. It addresses the design of qualitative research projects and the collection of ethnographic data through interviews, participant observation, focus groups, and related field-based approaches. The course explores interpretive strategies for analyzing qualitative materials, including coding, thematic analysis, and the contextual interpretation of social practices and cultural meanings. Attention is given to methodological rigor, reflexivity, and ethical considerations in fieldwork. The course also considers the presentation and evaluation of qualitative research and the accessibility of research findings to different audiences.

ANTH 5373J. Dental Anthropology and Oral Biology.

This course examines the biological development of craniofacial and dental structures using anthropological and biological approaches. Emphasis is placed on hard tissue anatomy, dental histology, and analytical methods used to identify variation and disease in living and archaeological populations. Dental traits are examined in relation to evolutionary processes and population history. The course also introduces forensic applications that support the identification and interpretation of human remains. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of dental evidence and scholarly analysis.

ANTH 5373M. 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 5373O. Seminar on Race in Biological Anthropology.

In this course students will learn where race concepts originated, examining the worldview and scientific mindsets that guided us into the 21st century. Students will explore how social race has become biological, drawing on literature from biological anthropology. Most importantly, students will explore pragmatic solutions in the context of anthropology research. Students will leave the course with an in-depth understanding of the role anthropology has played in current concepts of race and develop an informed scientific practice that they can apply.

ANTH 5373P. 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 5373Q. Applied Multivariate Statistics.

This course introduces the concepts of multivariate statistical methods commonly applied to anthropological research, including multiple regression, principal components analysis, factor analysis, and discriminant function analysis. Topics covered include how to prepare data, select suitable analytical techniques, and interpret results using statistical programming software. Instruction emphasizes methodological accuracy, reproducibility, and clear reporting practices. Through applied examples, this course provides experience evaluating the strengths and limitations of multivariate approaches in addressing research questions across different areas of anthropology. All techniques are presented as analytical tools intended to support evidence-based reasoning and quantitative inquiry.

ANTH 5375. Advanced Methods in Skeletal Biology, Part I.

This course focuses on advanced laboratory analytical techniques and data collection methods used to estimate the biological profile of modern, historic, and prehistoric human skeletal remains. Emphasis is placed on systematic observation, measurement, and documentation of skeletal indicators used in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. The course applies established methods to assess biological characteristics and critically evaluate methodological limitations, sources of error, and interpretive frameworks used in skeletal analysis.

ANTH 5376. Advanced Methods in Skeletal Biology, Part II.

This course focuses on technical case report writing and evidentiary best practices in forensic anthropological analysis of human skeletal remains. In addition to biological profile estimation techniques, research methods and theoretical foundations used for trauma analysis and taphonomic interpretation are reviewed and critically evaluated. Jurisdictional authority, evidence handling, chain of custody, reporting responsibilities, and recovery methods are also examined. Emphasis is placed on professional standards, methodological rigor, interpretation of complex case evidence, and the integration of analytical findings within medicolegal investigative contexts. Prerequisite: ANTH 5375 with a grade of "C" or better.

ANTH 5379. Archaeogaming.

This course explores video games and related technologies from an archaeological perspective. Using games to analyze cultural information, it critically evaluates game design choices, player interactions, and digital technologies to virtually reconstruct archaeological sites. Specific topics include games as historical artifacts, digital documentation of cultural heritage, use of virtual reconstructions as public outreach, and cultural representation in video games. Theorizing games from an archaeological perspective, this course highlights the relationships between technology, culture, and society.

ANTH 5381. Paleopathology.

This course examines human health and disease in past populations through the analysis of skeletal remains and archaeological evidence. The course surveys the historical development of paleopathology, reviews methodological challenges in identifying and interpreting skeletal pathology, and analyzes abnormal bone biology across major disease categories. Emphasis is placed on the classification of skeletal lesions, the evaluation of differential diagnoses, and the interpretation of disease within demographic, temporal, and cross-cultural contexts. The course also addresses theoretical approaches to reconstructing health and disease in past populations.

ANTH 5382. Archaeology of the Earliest Americans.

This course draws upon archaeological, biological, linguistic, and environmental evidence to understand the earliest human prehistory of the Americas. Questions concerning when the first people arrived, where they came from, and how they migrated are examined through ongoing scholarly debate. The course explores the natural environments of the Late Pleistocene and reviews known Paleoindian cultures such as Clovis, Folsom, Plainview, and Cody, as well as archaeological sites that may predate them.

ANTH 5383. Southeastern Archaeology.

This course is a study of the social and cultural history of Indigenous communities in the Southeastern US from ancient times to the present through archaeological and ethnohistorical research. It centers on the Southeast with a focus on Eastern Texas from the Paleoindian to Historic Periods and surveys archaeological perspectives to interpret Indigenous cultural development across time and space. Topics include regional cultural traditions, the independent invention of pottery, impact of corn agriculture, and the development of complex Precolumbian sociopolitical systems.

ANTH 5385. Specialized Studies in Anthropology.

This course surveys advanced topics in anthropology selected by the instructor, offering the opportunity to explore specialized research areas. It includes study of advanced scholarly literature, evaluation of competing interpretations, and consideration of how methodological and theoretical approaches shape anthropological knowledge. Emphasis is placed on critical reading, discussion, and academic writing, as well as analysis of how anthropologists construct arguments and interpret evidence. The course incorporates discussion, written analysis, and related assignments to support engagement with specialized topics.

ANTH 5390. Directed Study.

This course offers an opportunity for individualized advanced study in a specialized area of anthropology under faculty supervision. It emphasizes independent research, critical reading, and analytical writing that foster intellectual initiative and graduate-level proficiency in anthropological research. The course involves the design and completion of a focused project addressing anthropological theories, methods, or ethnographic contexts. Regular meetings with the instructor provide structured guidance, formative feedback, and the integration of diverse anthropological perspectives throughout the research and writing process.

ANTH 5395. Externship in Anthropology.

This course integrates applied anthropology with supervised experiential learning in professional settings outside the university. It includes structured externships in public or private organizations, allowing students to engage with anthropological methods and concepts in applied contexts. Emphasis is placed on connecting academic knowledge with observational and analytical activities in organizational environments. The course includes documentation of activities, reflection on applied methods, and evaluation of anthropological approaches in professional contexts. Each externship involves approximately 120 hours of supervised experience and may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ANTH 5399A. Thesis.

This course provides structured guidance for the initiation of the master’s thesis. It focuses on refining research questions, formulating appropriate methodological plans, and developing written work that meets disciplinary standards within specific anthropological subfields. Instruction emphasizes research design, data organization, analytical decision‑making, and professional scientific writing conventions. As the first course in a two‑part thesis sequence, it establishes a feasible project framework and supports the production of early thesis materials that form the foundation for continued work in ANTH 5309B.

ANTH 5399B. Thesis B.

This course provides structured support for the design, implementation, and writing of the master’s thesis. It emphasizes the development of appropriate research plans, the analysis of data, and the production of well‑organized scholarly writing that meets disciplinary and professional standards of excellence. Instruction also addresses preparation for the oral defense of the completed thesis. Continuous enrollment in the course is required each long semester until all thesis requirements have been fully satisfied.

ANTH 5599B. Thesis B.

This course provides guidance and support for the design, implementation, and writing of the master’s thesis. It emphasizes the development of appropriate research plans, the analysis of data, and the production of well-organized scholarly writing that meets disciplinary and professional standards. Instruction also addresses preparation for the oral defense of the completed thesis. Continuous enrollment in a Thesis B course is required each long semester until all thesis requirements have been fully satisfied.

ANTH 5999B. Thesis.

This course provides guidance and support for the design, implementation, and writing of the master’s thesis. It emphasizes the development of appropriate research plans, the analysis of data, and the production of well-organized scholarly writing that meets disciplinary and professional standards. Instruction also addresses preparation for the oral defense of the completed thesis. Continuous enrollment in the course is required each long semester until all thesis requirements have been fully satisfied.