Department of Anthropology

ANTH 1312. Cultural Anthropology.

This course introduces students to the concept of culture, anthropological methods and theories, and the unity and variability of the human species. The course draws on comparative and analytical approaches to demonstrate how anthropologists study cultural systems, social organization, and human adaptation across the globe.

ANTH 2101. Biological Anthropology Laboratory.

This course provides hands-on laboratory experience with foundational knowledge and methods in biological anthropology. The course examines the scientific method, human genetic variation, evolutionary theory, primate skeletal anatomy, and the fossil record of human evolution. Laboratory activities analyze genetic inheritance, evolutionary processes, primate morphology and behavior, and comparative anatomy of fossil species. Emphasis is placed on empirical observation, measurement, and comparative analysis to investigate biological diversity and evolutionary change within and across primate and hominin species.

ANTH 2102. Introduction to Archaeology Laboratory.

This course accompanies the Introduction to Archaeology lecture course (ANTH 2302). It introduces professional field and laboratory techniques used in archaeology through hands-on experience with archaeological materials. The course presents and applies the techniques and documentation methods employed in archaeological research, including stratigraphy, site mapping, the analysis of lithic and ceramic artifacts, iconographic interpretation, and artifact illustration and recording. The course also introduces ethical considerations in archaeological practice as subjects of scholarly and professional analysis. Corequisite: ANTH 2302 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 2301. Introduction to Biological Anthropology.

This course examines fundamental aspects of the biological nature of humans and their primate relatives. Course content covers the different subfields of biological anthropology (genetics, primatology, paleoanthropology, osteology and forensics). Course material includes topics devoted to explaining the scientific method, natural selection, evolutionary theory, genetics, speciation, adaptation, nonhuman primate anatomy, behavior and ecology, osteology, forensic anthropology, and human evolution. In short, this lecture course examines fundamental aspects of the biological nature of humans using evolutionary theory.

ANTH 2302. Introduction to Archaeology.

This course examines the basic principles of archaeology. It introduces the history and goals of archaeology and places the field in the context of anthropology. The course examines the identification of artifacts and features, the creation and preservation of archaeological sites, and dating methods. It applies archaeological data to reconstructing past behavior, subsistence practices, social organization, and social complexity, and explores key developments in the human past. This course reviews legal and ethical aspects of archaeological practice. Corequisite: ANTH 2102 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3101. Writing Anthropology.

This course explores writing in anthropology and the writing process by completing a semester-long project. It focuses on professional writing in academic and non-academic contexts, including scientific and ethnographic styles, writing for public audiences, and the development of authorial voice. The course examines the research process in library and field contexts, effective use of anthropological literature, editing and revision practices, citation and formatting methods, and writing tools and resources.

ANTH 3102. Skeletal Processing, Preparation, and Curation Techniques.

This course covers laboratory-based human skeletal processing techniques used in forensic anthropological casework. Students will be trained in handling and cleaning human skeletal remains, best practices for curation, and efficiently and effectively labeling each of the 206 bones in the human body. Students examine the complete process from body donation to final curation in the laboratory. Additionally, students will be introduced to human skeletal anatomy and variation, including preservation conditions, documentation standards, and safety protocols. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of a "D" or better.

ANTH 3201. Career Development in Anthropology.

This course examines the skills developed in anthropology and their application to career pathways. It analyzes how anthropological training contributes to professional competencies and explores strategies for articulating and applying these skills in a range of employment contexts within and beyond the discipline. Topics include assessment and translation of disciplinary skills, development of career objectives, preparation of application materials, interviewing techniques, professional communication, networking, job search strategies, and analysis of labor market trends.

ANTH 3301. 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. Prerequisite: ANTH 1312 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3302. Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology.

This course introduces students to linguistic anthropology, the subfield that examines the relationship between language and culture. Drawing from the formal properties of language, it examines how language relates to social and cultural categories. Topics include the ethnography of communication, writing and literacy, language origins, acquisition, variation, and change across communities and historical periods. Emphasis is placed on empirical and comparative approaches used by anthropologists to show the universal features and particular patterns of language as a human and communal property.

ANTH 3303. Applied Cultural Anthropology.

This course explores how cultural anthropology is applicable to real world issues in multiple career contexts, including user design, market and consumer research, and program evaluation. It examines the history and scope of applied anthropology and demonstrates the methods applied cultural anthropologists use to address social problems. The course provide hands-on opportunities for students to employ ethnographic methods to solve problems by gathering and analyzing data and preparing deliverables. It illustrates how to apply the principles of anthropology in the workplace.

ANTH 3304. Bioarchaeology.

This course examines the study of human skeletal remains within archaeological contexts. The course analyzes core theories, analytical frameworks, and laboratory methods used in bioarchaeology to interpret biological variation and lived experience in past populations. Topics include subsistence strategies, diet, disease processes, demography, biological relatedness, physical activity, and mortuary practices. Emphasis is placed on evaluating evidence, methodological limitations, and interpretive models used to reconstruct individual and population level patterns from skeletal data.

ANTH 3305. Magic, Ritual and Religion.

This course surveys anthropological perspectives on religion as a cultural system using historical and cross-cultural comparison with a focus on the Americas, Africa, and Europe. It examines world religions and regional interpretations of magic, supernatural beings, and other phenomena in both the past and present. It introduces anthropological theories and approaches to the study of religion and spirituality and considers the historical, political, and social factors associated with the emergence of new religious movements.

ANTH 3306. World Prehistory.

This course examines the major events in human evolution and prehistory from the earliest hominin fossil and archaeological evidence in Africa to the origin of food domestication across the globe and ending with the development of complex societies throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Students analyze current archaeological and paleoanthropological evidence documenting human adaptation to Ice Age climates, global dispersal, the development of food production systems, and the emergence of complex societies.

ANTH 3307. History of Evolutionary Thought.

This course explores the worldview and scientific mindset pre- and post- the publication of Darwin's 1859 "Origin of Species" book. It will examine pre-Darwinian perspectives on biological change, discuss Darwin's writing, analyze how natural selection works, examine common misconceptions about it, describe Mendel and the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis, identify how the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis and knowledge of genetics affects the concept of race, discuss the American eugenics program, apply evolutionary principles to humans, and discuss the role of evolutionary theory in contemporary science and society. Prerequisites: ANTH 2301 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3308. Public Archaeology.

This course surveys archaeology that is publicly funded and highlights Cultural Resource Management (CRM), the practice of conserving and investigating archaeological remains as mandated by federal and state laws. The course covers the history of CRM and its legal and regulatory framework, organization, methods, funding, employment prospects, and ethical and practical dilemmas, as well as the role of archaeologists in policy development, public outreach, and community engagement. Case studies from Texas and other regions are used to analyze how CRM operates in practice and how different management approaches affect archaeological resources.

ANTH 3309. Culture And Film.

This class presents an anthropological and cross-cultural examination of the interrelationship of culture and film from the birth of cinema until the late 20th century. It explores the connections amongst filmmakers, audiences, and culture in different time periods and nations. It considers film making both as an art form and as a commercial endeavor and examines some of the major technological developments in filmmaking in the 20th century and their effect on the film industry.

ANTH 3311. Disease and Society.

This course examines infectious diseases and the effects they have on human societies. It combines analytic concepts from the disciplines of medical anthropology, epidemiology and public health. The course focuses on ways in which human culture, biology and environmental factors intersect and the resulting impacts on health at the population level. The course is organized into case studies of specific infectious diseases, which focus on the historical context, biology and epidemiology of each disease as well its social impact.

ANTH 3314. 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 3315. Archaeology of the Southwest.

This course provides an overview of the prehistory and early cultures of the Greater Southwest from the first arrival of humans as early as 20,000 years ago to the coming of the Spaniards in the 16th century. This course examines archaeological sites ranging from ice age mammoth kills, through Archaic hunter-gatherer camps and early farming sites, to the multi-storied pueblos, platform mounds, and cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo, Hohokam, and Mogollon and contemporary cultures of northern Mexico. (MULT).

ANTH 3316. The Origin and Evolution of Human Behavior.

This course presents information on African, Asian, European, Australian and American Pleistocene Paleolithic archaeology and hominin evolution. The course discusses hominin behavior and contrasts it with primate behavior in Africa by identifying the foundational elements of human behavior and social organization, and it outlines the initial colonization from Africa into Asia and Europe and tracks the subsequent colonization of Australia and the Americas. This course identifies the pivotal hominin achievements through 5 million years ending with the origin of modern human cognition and spread of Homo sapiens sapiens in each continent.

ANTH 3317. 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 3318. Archaeology of Texas’ Ancient Cultures.

This course presents the current interpretations and ongoing debates regarding the archaeological record in Texas and introduce 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. This course surveys evidence for the variety of ancient lifeways practiced throughout more than 13,000 years of Texas history in the context of broader cultural patterns present across North America. (MULT) (WI).

ANTH 3322. Peoples and Cultures of Africa.

This course focuses on the different peoples in Africa and their variety of cultures, their historical encounters, and current national, international, and intercontinental affairs. It also explores their geography, social structure, political system, religious practices, day-to-day life, and youth culture. The course draws on case studies, descriptive and analytical approaches, literary works, and documentaries to demonstrate how anthropologists study peoples, cultural systems, social organization, and human adaptation.

ANTH 3324. Mexican American Culture.

This course examines scholarly interpretations of the social and historical processes shaping Mexican American culture, emphasizing anthropological and interdisciplinary perspectives on the United States–Mexico borderlands. It analyzes 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, which are all considered as cultural texts that reflect broader social, regional, and transnational dynamics.

ANTH 3325. 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 3327. Anthropology of Religion.

This course examines religion as a fundamental dimension of human experience through anthropological theory and ethnographic analysis. It explores belief systems, ritual practices, symbolism, and spiritual traditions across cultures and societies, emphasizing how religious systems shape and reflect social organization, morality, identity, and worldviews. Topics include myth, magic, and spirituality; the relationship between religion and power; and the impact of globalization and secular modernity. Readings and case studies highlight comparative approaches to understanding meaning, practice, and transformation in religious life.

ANTH 3330. Archaeological Curation and Collections Management.

This course provides technical training in and an understanding of the principles and methods of curating and managing archaeological collections. It reviews the history of archaeological curation in the United States as well as relevant laws and regulations that apply to collections facilities. Additional topics include types of repositories and storage facilities, costs of curation, policies, collection rehabilitation, archival processing, basic preventive conservation strategies, and the use of archaeological collections for public education.

ANTH 3331D. Dental Anthropology and Oral Biology.

This course examines the biological development of craniofacial and dental structures from anthropological and biological perspectives. Emphasis is placed on hard tissue anatomy, dental histology, and analytical methods used to identify variation and disease in human populations. Dental traits are examined in relation to evolutionary processes, population history, and biological adaptation. The course also introduces forensic approaches that support the identification and interpretation of human remains. Designed for anthropology and preprofessional dentistry students, the course emphasizes scientific reasoning, comparative analysis, and evaluation of dental evidence. Prerequisite: ANTH 2301 or [BIO 1130 and BIO 1330] any with a grade of "D" or better or instructor approval.

ANTH 3331F. Body Talk: Gestures, Communication, and Society.

This course introduces students to gesture as a fundamental component of human communication. It examines how gestures convey meaning, accompany speech, coordinate interaction, and reflect cultural norms. Drawing on cross-cultural data, the course provides tools for analyzing gesture typologies, functions, and their relationship to language, thought, and communicative ecology. It also surveys major theoretical perspectives on how visible action operates as an integral, culturally shaped part of language.

ANTH 3331J. Race and Biological Anthropology.

In this course students will learn where race concepts originated, examining the worldview and scientific mindsets that guided biological anthropology into the 21st century. We will explore how social race has become biological, put forth pragmatic solutions in the context of anthropology research, and help develop an informed scientific practice.

ANTH 3331M. 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. Topics will include regional cultural traditions, the independent invention of pottery, impact of corn agriculture, and the development of complex Precolumbian sociopolitical systems. The course centers the Southeast with a focus on Eastern Texas from the Paleoindian to Historic Periods. The course surveys archaeological perspectives to interpret Indigenous cultural development across time and space.

ANTH 3331N. Archaeogaming.

This course explores video games and related technologies from an archaeological perspective. It uses games to analyze cultural information, critically evaluates game design choices and player interactions, and examines digital technologies used to virtually reconstruct archaeological sites. Topics include games as historical artifacts, digital documentation of cultural heritage, the use of virtual reconstructions for public outreach, and cultural representation in video games. The course examines games through an archaeological lens to highlight relationships between technology, culture, and society.

ANTH 3336. Locally Engaged Research.

This course examines the practice of applied anthropological research through 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. The course centers on a semester-long research project addressing unique research situations, emphasizing professional standards of ethical collaboration, project planning, data management, and public-facing deliverables. Graduate and undergraduate students work in research teams to document social relations, analyze data, and produce materials relevant to community partners and applied anthropological research practice. Prerequisite: ANTH 1312 with a grade of "D" or better or Instructor approval.

ANTH 3337. Language and Linguistics.

This course introduces students to the theoretical study of language. It offers a broad overview of linguistics, its major subfields, and its research methods. It will explore what it means to “know” a language, how such knowledge is acquired, and how it is used in everyday communication. Topics include the defining properties of human language, mental representation, learnability, language origins, and patterns of use and change, providing a foundation for further study in linguistic theory.

ANTH 3338. Geoarchaeology.

This course introduces students to geoarchaeological approaches to the interpretation of sediments, soils, and stratigraphic sequences at archaeological sites. Emphasis is placed on understanding natural depositional environments, processes of weathering, the formation of soils, and stratigraphic analytical methods as they relate to the formation, preservation, and degradation of archaeological sites. In addition, the course examines how geological processes influence the integrity, context, and interpretation of archaeological materials through applied case studies and analytical exercises. (WI) Prerequisite: ANTH 2302 or GEOL 1410 either with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3339. Ethnographic Film and Global Culture.

This course explores contemporary documentary and ethnographic film as evolving sites of anthropological knowledge production that shape how global cultures are represented and understood. Through analysis of these intersecting media of visual storytelling, the course traces the intertwined histories of cinema and anthropology and how these cultural texts are created, viewed, and interpreted from various perspectives. Drawing on key texts in visual anthropology and documentary practice, the course foregrounds film as a methodological, theoretical, and ethical means of examining complex social worlds across the globe.

ANTH 3340. Human and Primate Origins.

This course introduces the scientific study of human and primate evolution through analysis of fossil evidence, comparative anatomy, and evolutionary theory. It examines major discoveries, methods used to reconstruct past environments, and current scholarly debates regarding hominin origins and diversification. Laboratory exercises develop practical skills in skeletal identification, metric analysis, and interpretation of paleoanthropological data. The course emphasizes how scientific questions are formulated, tested, and reassessed as new evidence emerges. By engaging with multiple lines of evidence, students gain experience applying analytical reasoning to evaluate hypotheses about human evolutionary history.

ANTH 3342. Primate Behavior and Ecology.

This course provides information about the behavior, ecology, biology, and conservation of nonhuman primates (including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes), and the methods used in primatological research. Emphasis is placed on comparative analysis of social systems, reproduction, development, communication, cognition, and ecological adaptation within an evolutionary framework. Topics include how variation in environment and evolutionary history shapes primate behavior and diversity. As our closest biological relatives, they also provide insights into human evolution, biology, and behavior.

ANTH 3343. Human Variation and Adaptation.

This course examines biological variation within and among human populations from an evolutionary perspective. The course analyzes genetic, environmental, and developmental factors that contribute to human diversity, including patterns of phenotypic and genotypic variation. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of human variation using evolutionary theory, population history, and biological processes. The course also evaluates methods used to study human variation and considers applications in areas such as forensic anthropology and population studies.

ANTH 3345. 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 3347. Archaeology of North America.

This course surveys human settlement of North America from the end of the Pleistocene through the early historic period, spanning the last approximately 13,000 years. It describes how archaeologists study the past using evidence from the archaeological record. It examines regional variation in subsistence strategies and social development across major cultural periods, including Paleoindian and Archaic traditions and the emergence of agricultural societies in the Southeast and Southwest.

ANTH 3348. Primate Conservation and Welfare: Adapting to Different Landscapes.

This course provides instruction on the behavioral ecology, welfare, and conservation of primates and the flora and fauna in their ecosystems and in captive environments. Topics include categories of threats to nonhuman primates as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, conservation status assessments, and the study of ethnoprimatology, which examines interactions between humans and nonhuman primates within shared ecosystems. The course also addresses the psychological well-being of captive primates, including environmental enrichment and management practices.

ANTH 3349. 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 the Inca civilization. Course 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 3350. 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 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 3351. Anthropology of Peace and Violence.

This course examines the cultural, political, and institutional frameworks through which aid, protection, and care are conceptualized and organized. Drawing on anthropological scholarship on peace, violence, and humanitarian governance, it analyzes how international relations, policy environments, and local conditions shape solutions to poverty, conflict, displacement, public health crises, and environmental disasters. Emphasis is placed on comparative analysis of humanitarian concepts, practices, and their social consequences across different historical and geographic contexts, and on evaluating scholarly approaches to the study of peace and violence from a global perspective.

ANTH 3352. Language and the Body.

This course examines how language shapes embodied experience, social interaction, and cultural meaning through approaches drawn from linguistic, cultural, and medical anthropology. It analyzes how discourse relates to identity, belief, stigma, social status, and bodily experience across contexts such as everyday conversation, schools, social media, popular media, and medical settings. Drawing on theoretical and applied scholarship, the course emphasizes anthropological analysis of language in relation to the body, along with observation, interviewing, ethnographic interpretation, and written analysis.

ANTH 3353. Human Structure and Function.

This course introduces the structure and function of the human body through a regional approach to gross anatomy. Students study 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. Students develop foundational skills in identifying structures, describing spatial and functional relationships, and interpreting anatomical images used in scientific and health‑related fields.

ANTH 3356. 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 3357. Historical Archaeology.

This course introduces the theoretical and methodological foundations of historical archaeology, emphasizing how material culture and documentary sources are used to study societies from the post‑medieval period to the present. Students learn to examine ceramics, glass, architecture, and cultural landscapes while engaging with case studies from North America and Texas. The course highlights analytical approaches, disciplinary debates, and the interpretation of material evidence in historical contexts. Through applied work with artifacts and documents, students develop skills for integrating archaeological data with written records and for evaluating diverse forms of evidence used in historic‑period research.

ANTH 3358. Human Evolutionary Anatomy.

This course examines primate anatomical structure and function from an evolutionary and comparative perspective. Topics include early chordate evolution, primate morphological diversity, and methodological approaches used to analyze relationships between form and function. Emphasis is placed on functional morphology, locomotor adaptations, and anatomical variation across major primate groups. The course also explores how comparative anatomy contributes to scientific interpretations of fossil primate and hominin behavior. Through analysis of skeletal, muscular, and ecological evidence, students develop skills in evaluating hypotheses about anatomical adaptation and evolutionary patterns.

ANTH 3359. Skeletal Processing, Preparation, and Curation Techniques.

This course covers laboratory-based human skeletal processing techniques used in forensic anthropological casework. Students will be trained in handling and cleaning human skeletal remains, best practices for curation, and how to efficiently and effectively label each of the 206 bones in the human body. Students will gain an understanding of the complete process that occurs between body donation and final curation in the laboratory. Additionally, students will be introduced to human skeletal anatomy and variation. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of a "D" or better.

ANTH 3360. Economic Anthropology.

This course introduces students to the major themes, theories, and methods of economic anthropology through a combination of ethnographic case studies and key theoretical readings. The course explores how different societies organize production, exchange, consumption, property, and inheritance, and how these practices affect and reveal broader cultural values and social relations. The course examines forms of economic life ranging from foraging and pastoral societies to horticultural, agrarian, and pre-capitalist complex states. By comparing economic systems across cultures, the course explores differences in human economies and how these are connected to social and moral worlds.

ANTH 3361. Archaeological Field Methods.

This course presents several approaches used by archaeologists to plan, organize, and carry out archaeological field investigations from survey to excavation to specialized data recovery. Content focuses on the research strategies, techniques, and logistics necessary to design and accomplish effective field research. To introduce content, the course includes a mix of lecture, written reports, and field exercises designed to practice standardized methods that conducted in indoor and outdoor campus settings to provide hands-on training. (WI).

ANTH 3366. Social Impact & Innovation.

This course examines how innovation and social impact are understood and practiced in contemporary social, economic, and organizational contexts. Using anthropology’s broad lens on human culture and experience, it analyzes the histories, discourses, and social structures that shape approaches to entrepreneurship, capitalism, technoscience, and governance. The course investigates how assumptions about innovation emerge, circulate, and influence decision‑making across domains and demonstrates how to use ethnographic thinking and inductive research methods to conceptualize problems, design interventions, and assess outcomes.

ANTH 3367. Applied Statistics.

This course introduces students to statistical concepts and the use of statistical software as applied to anthropological research. Topics may include how to interpret, analyze, and visualize quantitative data that are drawn from topics commonly examined in anthropology. The course focuses on technical competence, analytical reasoning, and science communication. It demonstrates how to evaluate quantitative arguments in anthropological scholarship as well as how to apply statistical tools to empirical research questions.

ANTH 3368. The Archaeology of Cannibalism and Sacrifice.

This course explores archaeological evidence for violence in past societies, focusing on human sacrifice and the consumption of human remains. It examines these practices as cultural phenomena within specific historical and social contexts. The course analyzes cannibalism and sacrifice as expressions of social organization, belief systems, and environmental or political conditions. Archaeological and ethnohistoric case studies from multiple periods and regions are used to identify variation and common patterns. Emphasis is placed on evaluating evidence, interpreting context, and understanding differing scholarly explanations for these practices.

ANTH 3369. Anthropology and the Law.

This course explores the role of law as a social system and its relationship to anthropology. It examines legal reasoning, key legal actors, and the interaction between law and social change across different contexts. Topics include the historical development of legal anthropology, legal pluralism, and the relationship between legal systems and cultural practices. The course also considers U.S. law, international law, and comparative legal frameworks, including common and case law traditions. Emphasis is placed on analyzing how law and anthropological research inform one another and how legal systems operate within broader social and cultural structures.

ANTH 3377. Anthropology of Youth.

This course explores issues related to adolescent and emerging adult health and development in national and international contexts. It analyzes cultural, socio-emotional, and health related aspects of youth development from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, education, public health, psychology, and sociology. The course critically examines existing research on youth and its underlying assumptions, research methodologies, and findings. It further demonstrates the application of ethnographic and qualitative methodologies to the study of youth culture, differentiating anthropological approaches from those of other social science disciplines.

ANTH 3379. 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, it highlights the relationships between technology, culture, and society.

ANTH 3380. Introduction to Forensic Anthropology.

This course provides an introduction to forensic anthropology, a specialized area of biological anthropology concerned with the scientific analysis of human remains in legal and investigative contexts. The course examines the historical development, theoretical foundations, and methodological approaches used in the field, with attention to their application within medicolegal death investigation systems. The course evaluates how forensic anthropological techniques contribute to the identification of human remains and the interpretation of skeletal evidence. The course also considers the professional roles, responsibilities, and practical challenges encountered by forensic anthropologists working in applied settings.

ANTH 3381. Human Osteology.

This course involves detailed examination of the elements of the human skeleton, with emphasis on identifying individual bones and teeth and their anatomical features. The course addresses the application of this knowledge to the identification of fragmentary skeletal elements and the siding of both complete and incomplete remains. Topics include osteological terminology, bone biology, skeletal variation, and the structure and function of the human skeleton. Analytical approaches to the study of skeletal remains are considered, along with issues related to preservation, recovery, and interpretation. Students also examine ethical standards governing the handling of human skeletal material. The course situates osteological analysis within forensic and archaeological contexts.

ANTH 3382. Archaeology of Ice Age America.

This course draws upon archaeological, biological, linguistic, and environmental evidence to reconstruct the earliest human prehistory of the Americas. Precisely when the first people arrived in the Americas, where they came from, and how they got here are the subjects of longstanding and ongoing debate. This course will explore the natural environments of the Ice Age and review known Paleoindian cultures such as Clovis, Folsom, Plainview, and Cody, as well as archaeological sites that may predate them.

ANTH 3383. 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 4303. Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology.

This course offers an in-depth introduction to the study of human speech sounds, combining theoretical foundations with practical analysis. It examines the physical mechanisms of sound production, the acoustic properties of speech, and the perceptual processes involved in understanding spoken language. The course introduces core principles of phonology, emphasizing the categorization, contrast, and organization of speech sounds within linguistic systems. It provides training in the transcription of speech using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and applies basic acoustic analysis techniques to explore key concepts. Coverage also extends to instrumental, clinical, forensic, and socio-phonetic perspectives on speech.

ANTH 4304. Language, Culture and Society.

This course introduces students to the study of the complex relationships among language, culture, and social institutions. It examines how linguistic practices—and the social variation of grammar and lexicon—operate within and across communities, across time and place, and in relation to social categories such as ethnicity, class, and identity. The course presents major theories in language, culture, and society; explores methodological approaches for studying language in its social context; and engages with current debates surrounding language variation and change.

ANTH 4309. 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 4310. History of Anthropological Thought.

This course surveys the major philosophical traditions that have shaped the intellectual development of cultural anthropology from the nineteenth century to the present. It explores foundational theories and frameworks that anthropologists have used to interpret culture and society within the historical and intellectual contexts in which they developed. Attention is given to the comparison of key paradigms and methodological approaches that connect different areas of anthropological inquiry and analysis and continue to influence contemporary scholarship and practice. Prerequisite: ANTH 1312 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4315. Archaeological Artifact Identification and Analysis.

This course identifies, describes and demonstrates how to analyze prehistoric and/or historic artifacts commonly recovered from archaeological sites in Texas and surrounding regions. This course identifies the diagnostic attributes of prehistoric stone tool types, prehistoric ceramics vessels and a variety of historic artifacts. Current theories explaining the production and analysis of chipped and ground stone tools, ceramics, bone and other materials are discussed. The methods of scientific artifact analysis are demonstrated. (WI).

ANTH 4320. 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 explaining why civilizations emerged and explores case studies from around the world, such as 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 4326. Field Methods in Forensic Anthropology.

This course introduces field methods used in forensic anthropology to locate, document, excavate, and recover human remains and associated materials from outdoor contexts. The course addresses procedures for surface and subsurface detection, spatial recording, evidentiary control, and legal considerations in recovery contexts. Emphasis is placed on systematic documentation techniques, including mapping, photography, and controlled excavation, as well as biosafety protocols relevant to the recovery of human remains. The course situates these methods within forensic and medico-legal investigative frameworks. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4337. Theory in Linguistic Anthropology.

This course introduces students to the major theoretical traditions that have shaped linguistic anthropology. As the anthropological study of language and speech, linguistic anthropology draws on a wide range of influential thinkers, frameworks, and debates. It will engage directly with foundational texts and explore how key ideas have guided the development of linguistic inquiry over time. Through close reading, discussion, and critical analysis, the course traces the evolution of theoretical perspectives across different eras and examines their impact on contemporary research. This course offers a solid understanding of the central theories, questions, and intellectual trajectories that define the field. Prerequisites: ANTH 1312 or ANTH 3302 either with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4339. Theoretical Concepts in Archaeology.

This course provides a broad survey of theory in archaeology, with an emphasis on its development and practice in the United States. The course examines the philosophical and historical foundations of archaeology from the eighteenth century to the present. It explores the theoretical frameworks used to interpret material remains of past societies and the intellectual contexts in which they emerged. Attention is given to the application of theory in contemporary archaeological research and interpretation. Prerequisite: ANTH 2302 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4360. 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 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 4361. Qualitative Research Methods.

This course explores qualitative research methods in anthropology and ethnography. It demonstrates how to formulate research questions, design qualitative projects, assess research ethics, and systematically collect and analyze qualitative data. Topics include fieldnote, participant observation, interview, survey, coding, and analysis methods. These methods are taught through a field research project that integrates course concepts with experiential learning. Through workshops, fieldwork activities, and collaborative inquiry, the course offers practical experience generating, interpreting, and presenting qualitative findings.

ANTH 4363. Methods in Primate Research.

This course examines methods used in the scientific study of primate behavior in captive and field settings, with emphasis on hypothesis formulation, research design, behavioral observation, and data analysis. Behavioral data will be collected and analyzed using established sampling and recording rules, and scientific research reports will be produced. The course introduces standard ethological techniques and methodological frameworks used in primatology and provides practical experience in observational research and scientific writing within laboratory and field-based contexts. This course includes discussions of setting up field sites, long-term projects, and community engagement in host countries.

ANTH 4381. Paleopathology.

This course examines human health and disease in past populations through the analysis of skeletal remains and archaeological evidence. The course surveys paleopathological methods used to identify and interpret pathological conditions, including infectious, metabolic, developmental, and traumatic processes. Emphasis is placed on the classification of skeletal lesions, the evaluation of differential diagnoses, and the interpretation of disease within broader temporal and environmental contexts. The course also addresses variation in health patterns across populations and the methodological challenges associated with reconstructing past disease processes from skeletal evidence.

ANTH 4382. Methods in Skeletal Biology.

This course examines methods used to analyze human skeletal remains from forensic and archaeological contexts. The course addresses procedures for skeletal inventory and the construction of the biological profile, including estimation of age, sex, population affinity, and stature. Emphasis is placed on osteological measurement standards, data collection protocols, and theoretical frameworks in skeletal biology. Additional topics include sources of variation in skeletal populations, comparative approaches to analysis, and the integration of multiple lines of evidence in interpretation. Analytical methods are considered alongside issues of methodological limitation. The course situates skeletal analysis within broader professional and research contexts in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4390. Internship in Anthropology.

This course provides experiential learning opportunities for students in a variety of professional settings aligned with their interests. Students engage in hands-on experience through the application of anthropological methods, concepts, and skills in professional contexts. The course requires completion of an applied work experience totaling approximately 120 hours. Emphasis is placed on connecting academic training to professional practice, documenting applied work, and reflecting on the use of anthropological approaches in workplace settings. Prerequisites: Minimum 2.5 Major GPA and instructor approval.

ANTH 4630. Archaeological Field School.

This course provides training in the practical skills and techniques used during systematic archaeological survey and excavation of prehistoric or historic sites. It affords immersive, hands-on experience in site, artifact, and feature mapping and documentation, as well as opportunities to practice effective teamwork in field settings. The course introduces standard archaeological field methods and techniques using equipment currently employed in cultural resource management. May be repeated for credit, but only six hours may be applied toward the major.