Department of Anthropology

ANTH 1312. Cultural Anthropology.

In this course students examine the nature of cultural variation of populations in the present and recent past. Its subjects include social, political, economic, and ideological aspects of human cultures. (MULT).

ANTH 2101. Biological Anthropology Laboratory.

This laboratory course accompanies Biological Anthropology. It provides students with hands-on experience with the materials and methods of biological anthropology. Students examine human genetic and anatomical variability, anatomical and behavioral similarities and differences among living primates, human skeletal anatomy, and evidence for human evolution from the fossil record.

ANTH 2102. Introduction to Archaeology Laboratory.

This laboratory course accompanies Introduction to Archaeology. It provides students with hands-on experience with the materials and methods of archaeology, and covers topics such as stratigraphy, site maps, lithic and ceramic analysis, and ethics. Corequisite: ANTH 2302 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 2301. Biological Anthropology.

This lecture and accompanying laboratory course examine fundamental aspects of the biological nature of humans. Course content is divided into topics devoted to explaining the scientific method, evolutionary theory, genetics, speciation, variation and adaptation, nonhuman primates, and human evolution.

ANTH 2302. Introduction to Archaeology.

This lecture and accompanying laboratory course examine the basic principles of archaeology. It includes a study of the kinds of sites; classification of stone artifacts; methods of archaeological survey and excavation; methods of dating by geological, faunal, and radiometric means; and the theoretical approach to archaeology. Corequisite: ANTH 2102.

ANTH 3101. Writing Anthropology.

This course offers tutelage in professional scholarly writing, word processing software, library research, scientific and ethnographic writing styles, and effective use of anthropological literature. Because it provides core skills presupposed by advanced anthropology courses, students should enroll in it alongside their first writing-intensive anthropology electives.

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

In this laboratory-based course students will learn human skeletal processing techniques used in forensic anthropological casework and gain an introduction to human skeletal anatomy and variation. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of a "D" or better.

ANTH 3201. Professionalization in Anthropology.

This course surveys the breadth of careers open to people holding anthropology degrees. Issues discussed include professional ethics, specialized skill sets, the transferable skills of liberal arts degrees, broad trends in the labor market, and steps toward pursuing relevant careers.

ANTH 3301. Principles of Cultural Anthropology.

This course is an ethnographically-based analysis of major theoretical positions and debates in contemporary anthropology. (WI) Prerequisites: ANTH 1312 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3302. Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology.

This course provides an introduction to the study of linguistic anthropology. We will focus on the origin of language and its evolution and diversity, the interactions between language, culture and society, and modes of communication. This course will enhance a student’s awareness of the complex interrelationships between language and other aspects of culture. (MULT).

ANTH 3303. Applied Cultural Anthropology.

In this course students learn the methods applied cultural anthropologists use to address social problems such as poverty, sustainable development, conflict, climate change, community health, workplace and product design, education, and cultural heritage, as well as the value “thinking anthropologically” has for a wide range of careers.

ANTH 3304. Bioarchaeology.

Bioarchaeology is the study of human skeletal remains in relation to the archaeological record. In this course students will study theories and methods used in the analysis of human skeletal remains in bioarchaeology to reconstruct patterns of subsistence, diet, disease, demography, biological relatedness, and physical activity of past populations.

ANTH 3305. Magic, Ritual and Religion.

An examination of magic and religion in cultures of the world with an emphasis on recent works dealing with mysticism and the occult. (MULT).

ANTH 3306. World Prehistory.

This course presents a survey of the prehistoric human record throughout the world. It focuses upon the achievements of early and modern humans, world colonization events, and the development of complex societies.

ANTH 3307. History of Evolutionary Thought.

This course discusses the impact of evolutionary discourse within the context of its history. Students will develop a thorough understanding of evolution and its importance to anthropology, as well as to other scientific disciplines. (WI) Prerequisites: ANTH 2301 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3308. Cultural Resource Management and Archaeology.

This course surveys Cultural Resource Management (CRM) archaeology, the conservation and investigation of 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.

ANTH 3309. Cultures Through Film.

Through films, lectures, and discussions, students explore the various ways that ethnographic film interprets the cultural environment and social interactions of small-scale cultures around the world. We will also discuss anthropological interpretations of how historically U.S. (American) culture has dealt with concepts of the “other” and supernatural phenomena through film. (MULT).

ANTH 3311. Disease and Society.

In this course students examine infectious diseases and the effect they have on human societies. The course is organized into case studies of specific infectious diseases, which focus on the biology and epidemiology of a disease as well its social impact.

ANTH 3313. Aztec: Native Americans and Empire.

This course presents an understanding of Aztec culture through archaeology, the interpretation of art, religion, and architecture, and the formation of a highly specialized and stratified society with an imperial administration. The course will emphasize an intellectual and religious outlook in intimate contact with the earth, sky, and the seasons.

ANTH 3314. Latin American Cultures.

This course examines different aspects of Latin American indigenous cultures from a variety of theoretical perspectives in anthropology. Emphasis is on the Maya, and different theoretical perspectives provide different interpretations of data. (MULT) (WI).

ANTH 3315. Archaeology of the Southwest.

An examination 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. The course covers several mammoth kill sites at the end of the Pleistocene; the emergence of Archaic hunters and gatherers and the appearance of agriculture about two thousand years ago, leading to the three major cultures in the southwest-the Mogollon, the Hohokam and the Anasazi, the last in multistoried pueblos and cliff dwellings. (MULT).

ANTH 3316. 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. (MULT) (WI).

ANTH 3317. Rock Art Field Methods.

This course will train students in rock art field methods. They will gain first-hand experience recording rock art sites through photography, field sketches, mapping, and written inventories. Students will generate a visual and written description of the art, which they will use to infer and explain past human behavior.

ANTH 3318. Ancient Cultures of the Texas Crossroads.

This course will present our current understanding of Texas archaeology. The environmental and social contexts of prehistoric, protohistoric, and historic records of Native American and Spanish occupations in Texas are discussed. (MULT) (WI).

ANTH 3322. Peoples and Cultures of Africa.

This course is a general introduction to the contemporary peoples and cultures of Africa. Students will examine the social structure, economy, political systems, and religions of African cultures in the context of the radical economic and social transformations affecting the area. (MULT).

ANTH 3324. Mexican American Culture.

This course provides exploration of Mexican American culture with an emphasis on the US-Mexico transborder region. The course integrates history, anthropology, and ethnic studies to capture the broad diversity of Mexican American experiences. Some of the topics covered include identity, social movements, Chicana feminism, transnational migration, spirituality, and cultural expressions such as visual art, film, music, and performance. (MULT).

ANTH 3325. Medical Anthropology.

This course focuses on how illness identities are culturally constructed, how adaptations or maladaptations to local environments affect health, how political and economic forces influence health and health behaviors, and how the practice of medical anthropology can contribute to solving urgent health issues around the world.

ANTH 3327. Anthropology of Religion and Fundamentalism.

This course provides students with current and historical approaches to the anthropology of religion with a particular emphasis on fundamentalism. It focuses on the development of religious fundamentalism in different cultural contexts, geopolitical situations, and religious traditions.

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. Students review the history of archaeological curation in the United States as well as relevant laws and regulations. Additional topics covered include types of repositories and storage facilities, costs of curation, policies, collection rehabilitation, archival processing, basic preventative conservation strategies, and using archaeological collections to educate the public.

ANTH 3331D. Dental Anthropology and Oral Biology.

The biological development of the cranio-facial structures will be presented with emphasis on hard tissue anatomy and diseases. Dental traits will be discussed in relation to human evolutionary concepts. Forensic methods that support identification of human remains are emphasized. This course is appropriate for anthropology students and pre-professional dentistry. Prerequisite: ANTH 2301 or [BIO 1130 and BIO 1330] any with a grade of "D" or better or instructor approval.

ANTH 3331E. Anthropology and the Law.

This course explores the role of law as an instrument of social change, justice, and human rights. Topics include law as a social system, understanding legal reasoning, identifying key actors, how law influences change, how law is depicted in popular culture, and how law influences anthropological research.

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

Communication involves the use of ‘invisible’ words and gestures, or ‘visible actions.’ This course focuses on gestures, what they are, how they are used, what role they play in communication and in thinking, and their cultural underpinning. Students will learn the theoretical and methodological issues involved in studying different gestures across societies.

ANTH 3331G. The Archaeology of Cannibalism and Sacrifice.

Students in this course explore kinds of violence in past societies considered especially shocking or controversial in the contemporary, developed West: human sacrifice and the consumption of the human dead. Avoiding exoticism and suspending moral evaluation in favor of anthropological inquiry, we will consider cannibalism and sacrifice as cultural expressions of universal human drives and preoccupations and as historically specific solutions to common problems in social organization. We will examine archaeological and ethnohistoric case studies drawn from a wide range of time periods, cultures, and regions in an effort to identify and explain diversity and commonalities among such practices.

ANTH 3331I. Design + Anthropology.

This course will begin by exploring the anthropology of design, including the practices, implications, and expansion of design under contemporary capitalism. Students will then use this knowledge to examine the growing field of design anthropology and learn how anthropologists provide actionable insights and research for design work today.

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 3331L. Social Impact: Anthropology of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, & Business.

This course explores the nature of innovation under late capitalism via entrepreneurship. Drawing on the anthropology of business, design, organizations, economics and technology, students will review with a critical lens how people strive for better futures and what anthropology can do to improve these efforts.

ANTH 3332. Myths and Moundbuilders.

This course presents an anthropological approach to Native Americans of the Southeastern United States, their culture and beliefs. (MULT).

ANTH 3335. The Anthropology of Native American Belief Systems.

In this course students use anthropological approaches to investigate past and present Native American belief systems in order to determine the temporal range and evolving complexity of Native American religious and ritual expression.

ANTH 3336. Locally Engaged Research.

This course will provide students the opportunity to conduct hands-on anthropological research on a variety of topics in local communities.

ANTH 3337. Language and Linguistics.

This course is concerned with the theoretical and methodological study of language, what constitutes the knowledge of a language, how this knowledge is acquired, and how it is used. Other areas of interest include the properties of human language, its representation in the mind, learnability, origin, and change.

ANTH 3338. Geoarchaeology.

This course will teach students how to interpret sediments and the nature of sediment accumulation at archeological sites. Course topics include sedimentology, natural depositional environments, weathering processes and soil development, stratigraphic analysis, and archaeological site formation processes. (WI) Prerequisite: ANTH 2302 or GEOL 1410 either with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 3339. Contemporary Film and Global Culture.

This course examines the relationship of recent film to both national culture and our increasingly globalized world culture. It focuses on the relationship between the creators of film, their intended audiences and the cultural context of both of these. It explores the way that film relates to current issues.

ANTH 3340. Human and Primate Origins.

An examination of the long and diverse record of human and nonhuman biological adaptations as viewed from the fossil record. It examines the functional and ecological challenges that may have been responsible for the path of human development.

ANTH 3342. Primate Behavior.

In this course, students will learn about the behavior, ecology and conservation of nonhuman primates (lemurs, lorises, monkeys, and apes).

ANTH 3343. Human Variation and Adaptation.

This course examines the physical variation observable within and between human populations. It emphasizes a functional approach whereby variation is examined in relation to biological adaptation. It explores the biological mechanisms responsible for change and evaluates the potential of biological components in human behavior.

ANTH 3345. Archaeology of Mesoamerica.

This course examines the development of culture from early hunters and gatherers through the appearance of agriculture to the rise of civilization. The focus of the course is on the emergence of complex society among groups such as the Olmec, Aztec, and Maya. (MULT) (WI).

ANTH 3347. Archaeology of North America.

This course describes human settlement of North America from the end of the Pleistocene to European discovery. It considers early occupation of arctic, plains, and forested regions and development during archaic times of Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian societies in the Southeast and Mogollon, Hohokam, and Anasazi in the Southwest.

ANTH 3348. Primate Conservation: Adapting to Rapidly Changing Landscapes.

This course provides instruction on the ecology and conservation of primates and the flora and fauna in their ecosystems.

ANTH 3349. The Incas.

The Incas were the largest Pre-Columbian empire in the Americas and this course will explore the origins of this civilization and how they conquered such a large area of South America. Using archaeological and historic information the class will examine various aspects of Inca society including religion, economics, and kingship.

ANTH 3350. Gender and Sexuality in Cross-cultural Perspective.

This course explores historical and contemporary issues related to gender and sexuality from cross-cultural perspectives. It will focus on cultural constructions of gender and sexuality and explore key themes in queer anthropology as well as US minority and Global South feminisms through expressive and documentary forms including music, film, art and performance. (MULT).

ANTH 3351. Anthropology of Peace and Violence.

This class explores anthropological perspectives on peace and violence. It focuses on understanding violent practices within both traditional and current day societies including everyday violence and warfare. It explores the contributions of social structure, gender, religion, race, and ethnicity to violence. It examines efforts to build peace and reconciliation.

ANTH 3352. Language and the Body.

This class focuses on how language shapes our identities and deeply held beliefs about our bodies. Students will have an opportunity to engage in discourse analysis of media representations as well as collect and analyze their own conversational data using the methods of linguistic and cultural anthropology.

ANTH 3353. Human Structure and Function.

Students study the structure and basic function of the human body with emphasis on the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. This course provides a basis for other courses in biological anthropology.

ANTH 3356. Archaeology of Andean Civilizations.

This course examines the cultures of the Andes Region of South America with an emphasis on pre-Columbian and contemporary peoples of the area.

ANTH 3357. Historical Archaeology.

This course is designed to provide students with an intensive overview of historical archaeology method, theory, and artifacts in Texas and North America. Using the methods and theories of historical archaeology, students analyze historical narratives, which incorporates research, documents, and material culture from historic period sites.

ANTH 3358. Human Evolutionary Anatomy.

This course is designed to give students an anatomical background to the study of human evolution with a focus on the comparative anatomy of apes, living humans, and fossil hominins.

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

This course is laboratory based and students will learn human skeletal processing techniques used in forensic anthropological casework and gain an introduction to human skeletal anatomy and variation. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of a "D" or better.

ANTH 3360. Economic Anthropology.

Reviews central issues in economic anthropology, using both case studies and theoretical writings. Analyzes production, exchange, distribution, consumption,property, economic surplus, inheritance, and types of economic structure. Materials will cover huntergatherer societies, simple agricultural societies, pre-capitalist complex state societies, and issues of development in nonindustrialized countries. (MULT).

ANTH 3361. Archaeological Field Methodology.

In this course students will learn about planning, organizing, and carrying out archaeological field investigations from survey to excavation to specialized data recovery. The focus is on the research strategies, techniques and logistics necessary to design and accomplish successful field research. (WI).

ANTH 3363. The Art and Archaeology of the Olmec.

This course will present our current understanding of the art and archaeology of the Olmec culture, the earliest known civilization in North America. The Olmec culture is considered the influential foundation for later Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Maya and the Aztec.

ANTH 3366. Social Impact through Applied Research.

This course introduces students to how research in anthropology and other disciplines can be used to create social impact—solutions to public problems. Students will explore what social impact is, barriers that prevent social impact from occurring, and how social impact can be created through the application of applied research.

ANTH 3367. Applied Statistics.

This course will teach students basic statistical concepts through an anthropological lens. Students will learn to engage with data and statistics in everyday topics related to anthropology, the foundations of statistical analysis, and how to use the statistical programming language and software to explore and communicate data to the public.

ANTH 3377. Anthropology of Youth.

This class will provide an overview of issues in adolescent and emerging adult health and development in national and international contexts. Drawing from several disciplines including anthropology, education, public health, psychology, and sociology, we will critically examine existing research on youth and discuss underlying assumptions, research methodologies, and findings.

ANTH 3380. Forensic Anthropology.

Forensic Anthropology is the recovery and analysis of human skeletal remains for modern legal inquiry. This course is an overview of the field of Forensic Anthropology illustrated with real forensic cases.

ANTH 3381. Human Osteology.

The foundation of biological anthropology is the study of the human skeleton. This is a lab-intensive course in which students will learn how to identify skeletal elements, both whole and fragmentary.

ANTH 3382. Archaeology of Ice Age America.

Precisely when the first people arrived in the Americas, where they came from, and how they got here are the subjects of longstanding debate. This class will draw upon archaeological, biological, linguistic, and environmental evidence to reconstruct the earliest human prehistory of the New World.

ANTH 4303. Human Speech Sounds.

This course is an introductory overview of human speech production and perception from an anthropological perspective. It describes speech anatomy and pays particular attention to the description of the acoustic and articulatory properties of speech as it occurs in real time. Students will study articulatory, acoustic, and auditory phonetics.

ANTH 4304. Language, Culture and Society.

This course seeks to introduce students to the fundamentals of linguistic anthropology, and the use of linguistics in anthropological fieldwork through lecture, discussion, and "hands on" class exercises.

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. Case studies cover body and health-related topics over the life course, from birth to death. (WI).

ANTH 4310. Theories and Issues in Anthropology.

This course explores major theoretical and historical developments in anthropology, highlighting the discipline’s unique four-field perspective that includes archaeology, biological and cultural anthropology, and anthropological linguistics. Topics stress the importance of anthropological thought in key scientific discoveries and cultural debates. Prerequisites: ANTH 1312 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4315. Archaeological Artifact Identification and Analysis.

This course will train students to describe 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 will be presented, and scientific analytical methods discussed. (WI).

ANTH 4320. Rise of Civilization.

This course consists of a definition of civilization and its components, its geographic setting, and the roles of religion, art, and the institution of the “Divine King” in the development of dynamic state societies in Egypt, Sumeria, the Indus Valley, and China in the Old World and that of the Olmec in Mexico and Chavin in Peru. (MULT) (WI).

ANTH 4326. Field Methods in Forensic Anthropology.

In this course students will learn how to locate, excavate and recover human remains, associated personal effects, and other materials in order to ensure legal credibility for all recoveries. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4337. Theory in Linguistic Anthropology.

In this course students will be introduced to the major theories of linguistics through reading and discussing classic and contemporary literatures. Particular attention will be given to how the various theories have influenced linguistic anthropology. (WI) 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 as it is practiced throughout the world. It includes both historical perspectives and contemporary usage. (WI) Prerequisite: ANTH 2302 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4360. Directed Study.

A one-semester course of independent reading, tutorial sessions, and individual research projects. Open to superior students by invitation of the professor and with the consent of the chair of the department. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.

ANTH 4361. Qualitative Research Methods.

This course provides instruction on qualitative research methods through lectures and hands-on activities, including designing qualitative research projects, collecting and analyzing qualitative data, and presenting qualitative results.

ANTH 4363. Methods in Primate Research.

In this course, students will learn about the methods used to study primates in captive and field settings.

ANTH 4381. Paleopathology.

This course focuses on the study of diseases and maladies of ancient populations, and will survey the range of pathology on human skeletons from trauma, infection, syphilis, tuberculosis, leprosy, anemia, metabolic disturbances, arthritis, and tumors. (WI).

ANTH 4382. Methods in Skeletal Biology.

This course is for students who wish to advance their osteological skills. Students will learn how to identify isolated and fragmentary skeletal remains to estimate age, sex, ancestry, stature, and health of an individual in past and present contexts. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of "D" or better.

ANTH 4390. Internship in Anthropology.

This course provides students with professional development through work or research-related experience. After consulting the internship coordinator, students choose placements matching their interests and develop individualized internship contracts. Interns meet to discuss career preparation and anthropological topics related to each intern’s activities, keep a journal, and submit a final report. Prerequisites: Minimum 2.5 Major GPA and instructor approval.

ANTH 4600. Bioarchaeology Field and Laboratory Methods.

In this course students will be trained in the documentation, contextual assessment, and recordation of human skeletal remains in bioarchaeological settings. Students will engage in research projects, gaining practical laboratory and field experience. Prerequisite: ANTH 3381 with a grade of "D" or better or instructor approval.

ANTH 4630. Archaeological Field School.

This course is designed to train students in the skills and techniques of modern archaeological survey and excavation of prehistoric sites. May be repeated for credit, but only six hours may be applied toward the major.