Course Descriptions
Lower Division
ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
Introduction to the study of human culture and social institutions, with special emphasis on band, tribal, chiefdom, and state/peasant societies. Satisfies G.E. areas D2 and G. (CAN ANTH 4) (Fall, Winter, Spring)
ANTH 2080 Introduction to Physical Anthropology (3 units)
An introduction to the field of biological anthropology from genetic, evolutionary, behavioral, and cultural perspectives. Topics include the study of nonhuman primates, the fossil record of human evolution, techniques of forensic anthropology, paleopathology, human variation, and adaptability. Satisfies G.E. area D2. (CAN ANTH 2) (Fall)
ANTH 2090 Introduction to Archaeology (3 units)
Introduction to prehistory and culture growth; the basic theories, methods, and goals of archaeology; cultural and historical reconstructions based on the interpretation of data recovered from worldwide archaeological contexts. Satisfies G.E. area D2. (CAN ANTH 6)
ANTH 2950 Selected Topics in Anthropology (1-5 units)
(Topics to be specified in Class Schedule) Development of a selected branch of anthropology. Topics may vary each term. Different topics may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Upper Division
ANTH 3000 Anthropology and Global Issues (3 units)
An examination of the ways in which cultural anthropology can offer contemporary Americans a broad understanding of national/world events and problems. Global issues treated include the Third World, development, poverty and culture, education in modern society, the environment, and social change. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G. (Fall, Spring)
ANTH 3010 The Great Discoveries (3 units)
A survey of the great discoveries of the biological and cultural nature of humankind: past, present, and future. A study of evidence for early humans, “lost” civilizations, the decipherment of ancient languages, Stone Age people “discovered” in recent times, and the many great discoveries concerning the development of culture and social institutions in the study of bands, tribes, and civilizations of humankind. Satisfies G.E. area F3. (Fall, Spring)
ANTH 3020 Travelers in Time: Perspectives of the Past on the Present (3 units)
Through archaeological and ethnographic information, students will study past and present cultures and important landmarks in the development of civilization. The dynamic discipline of anthropology provides valuable insights into the past and meaningful solutions for modern human problems. Designed specifically for future teachers. (LIBS Integrative: Social Inquiry)
ANTH 3070 Peoples and Cultures of Africa (3 units)
An ethnographic survey of selected contemporary and traditional societies and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa. Emphasis is placed on the varied effects of Western European culture on the peoples studied as well as the ongoing process of change in traditional customs and cultures. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or junior standing.
ANTH 3080 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean (3 units)
An ethnographic survey of selected contemporary societies in the Caribbean. Emphasis is placed on the relationship this region has had to the engagement between Western and non-Western cultures. Simultaneous enrollment in ANTH 4030 is recommended, but not required. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G.
ANTH 3090 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (3 units)
An ethnographic survey of selected societies in Latin America. Emphasis is placed on the relationship this region has had to the engagement between Western and non-Western cultures. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G.
ANTH 3105 Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific (3 units)
(Formerly ANTH 3101) (Formerly Cultures of the Pacific) An ethnographic (cultural) survey of the native societies of the Pacific (Oceania) including Australia, Melanesia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Cultural change is emphasized as well as native traditions. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended.
ANTH 3106 Peoples and Cultures of Asia (3 units)
(Formerly ANTH 3101) Examines the cultural diversity of Asian countries: China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, India, and Southeast Asia. It is taught from the perspective of cross-cultural interaction between dominant and minority ethnic groups. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G.
ANTH 3200 Anthropological Studies of U.S. Culture (4 units)
In addition to their study of the world’s exotic, remote, small-scale societies, anthropologists have recently begun to look at their own American culture and its institutions. Uses films, class discussions, lectures, and contemporary authors to examine American culture, i.e., world view, values, religion, marriage, family, enculturation, political, medical, and economic systems from the perspective of anthropologists at home. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or junior standing.
ANTH 3301 Native Americans of Canada and the U.S. (3 units)
(Formerly The American Indian) An ethnographic (cultural) survey of selected contemporary and traditional Native American (American Indian) societies. Specifically included are the Canadian and United States groups with some emphasis placed on California cultures. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended.
ANTH 3320 Native Peoples of Latin America (3 units)
An ethnographic (cultural) survey of selected contemporary and traditional native Latin American folk (peasant) societies of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Specifically included are Nahua (Aztec), Zapotec, Maya, Quechua (Inca), and other groups. Emphasis is placed on the varied effects of Western European culture on the peoples studied as well as their traditional customs and cultures. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended.
ANTH 3400–3499 Modern Ethnographic Studies (1-4 units)
Studies in the ethnography of various areas of the contemporary world. Course content may vary from term to term. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 or junior standing.
ANTH 3500–3599 Studies in World Prehistory (1-4 units)
Studies of various prehistoric archaeology cultures. Course content may vary from term to term. Prerequisite: ANTH 2090 or junior standing.
ANTH 3600 Method and Theory in Archaeology (3 units)
Study of current methods in archaeology, emphasis on applied and theoretical procedures in data sampling, collection, and evaluation; survey of method and theory in excavation of archaeological sites; integration, analysis, and interpretation of archaeological phenomena. Prerequisite: ANTH 2090 or junior standing.
ANTH 3750 Human Evolution (3 units)
A critical examination of the fossil record of human evolution. Emphasizes how the paleoanthropologist integrates relevant archaeological, fossil, and molecular genetic evidence to understand and interpret human biocultural evolution. Prerequisite: Lower division course in anthropology or biology recommended.
ANTH 3760 Primates Past and Present (3 units)
Introduction to and description of non-human primates. Topics include diet, habitat, locomotion, behavior, comparative anatomy, and evolutionary history. Prerequisite: ANTH 2080 or consent of instructor.
ANTH 3780 Primate Social Behavior (3 units)
Survey of living nonhuman primate groups and their classification; geographical distribution, feeding habits, reproduction, and social behavior of these primates; the implications of nonhuman primate behavior for the understanding of human behavior. Prerequisite: ANTH 2080 or an introductory course in zoology or psychology.
ANTH 3900 Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality (WP) (3 units)
(Same as GEND 3900) (Formerly Women: A Cross-Cultural View) Comparative study of traditional and changing gender and sexuality roles, expressions, and identities in a wide range of contemporary cultures. Satisfies upper division writing proficiency requirement. Satisfies G.E. area G. Prerequisite: Completion of the Writing Proficiency Screening Test with a passing score; ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4000 Current Trends in Anthropology (1-2 units)
A symposium on anthropology featuring speakers on their special areas of research, including current anthropological theories. Topics differ each term. May be repeated for no more than 4 units of credit towards the major. Prerequisite: One lower-division anthropology class recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4030 Anthropology Through Film (1-4 units)
Introduction to audio-visual presentation of other cultures through ethnographic films. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.
ANTH 4040 Crossing Cultural Boundaries: The Field Work Process (4 units)
The practice of cultural anthropology in a research setting provides insights into the nature of the cross-cultural experience. This course examines that experience by using the original works of leading anthropologists. Other cultural anthropologists and their accounts will emphasize the processual nature of crossing cultural boundaries. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4130 Urban Subcultures: Chinatown (1 unit)
Students will travel independently to this natural urban setting for a one-day guided lecture tour and field observation. San Francisco’s Chinatown, the largest Chinese settlement outside Asia, provides a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the interface of an ancient and modern culture. Historical and anthropological perspectives on the Chinese in America to be read prior to the field trip. A field journal and short paper are required to complete the course.
ANTH 4140 Urban Anthropology (3 units)
Survey of processes and trends in urbanization from a cross-cultural perspective. Emphasis will be on cities of the Third World and multicultural urbanization in the west. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4150 Anthropology of Religion (4 units)
(Formerly Comparative Religion) Anthropological approaches to the study of religious systems including magic, witchcraft, ritual, symbolism, and dynamic religious movements. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended.
ANTH 4165 The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3 units)
Study of family life from a cross-cultural perspective. Topics covered include kinship structure; relationships between family members; the treatment of children, youth, the aged, and women; and the family’s role in various cultures. Satisfies G.E. area G. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4170 Economic Anthropology (WP) (3 units)
(Formerly Business, Economics, and Anthropology) Study of the cultural dimensions of modern international business with consideration of economic systems of undeveloped traditional small-scale (tribal and peasant) societies. Satisfies upper division writing proficiency requirement. Prerequisites: Completion of Writing Proficiency Screening Test with a passing score; ANTH 2060 recommended.
ANTH 4181 Political Anthropology (3 units)
A survey of political anthropology that considers both past and present uncentralized (band, tribe, village, etc.) and centralized (chiefdom and state) political systems. Emphasis is placed upon the relationships between these various levels of political organization among contemporary peoples and on changes resulting from the incorporation of small scale societies into nation-states. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4200 Applied Anthropology and Social Change (4 units)
Study of changes resulting from contact between small-scale and industrialized societies. Consideration will be given to processes of social change and organized attempts to introduce change. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4210 Ethnomedical Anthropology (3 units)
Designed to provide an introductory overview of this new field within the discipline of anthropology, the course will trace the origins and scope of medical anthropology. Emphasis will be placed on both Western and non-Western cultures in order to examine the relationship between culture, health, and disease including the analysis of health care delivery systems and the roles of medical anthropologists within them. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4211 The World in Change (3 units)
A study of past and contemporary global issues with emphasis on the so-called modernization process, especially technological and agricultural development, industrialization and urbanization population, environment, and security issues affecting the 5000 known cultural groups. Satisfies G.E. area G. Prerequisite: ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4221 Folk Literature and Arts (WP) (3 units)
A survey of folk literature (oral traditions, mythology, legends, folk tales, etc.) and the traditional arts and material culture (art, symbols, cottage industries, etc.) of small-scale (tribal and folk or peasant) societies. Satisfies upper division writing proficiency requirement. Prerequisites: Completion of the Writing Proficiency Screening Test with a passing score; ANTH 2060 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4250 The Ethnoecology of Southeast Asia (4 units)
(Same as GEOG 4250) Drawing on case studies from Island and Mainland Southeast Asia (including southern China) this course explores the long history of human-environmental interaction in the region. We examine the causes of stress and instability in that interaction and the attempts to restore viable relationships and systems. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4321 Historical Archaeology (5 units)
Methodology of historical archaeology. Theoretical orientation and field techniques applied to investigation of historical archaeology. Problem orientation, research designs, data acquisition, and interpretation are emphasized. Corequisite: ANTH 4323. Prerequisites: ANTH 2090 and consent of instructor. (Lecture, 3 hours; activity, 4 hours)
ANTH 4400 Observational Studies in Primate Behavior (1 unit)
Practical experience in the application of observational techniques to the study of monkeys and apes in nearby zoos. Structured workbook exercises guide the student through the methodology of research design and report preparation. May be repeated for a total of 3 units.
ANTH 4410 Talking Skeletons:
Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology (3 units)
Utilizes a case study approach to demonstrate the application of analytical techniques, ethical responsibilities, and the training involved in the practice of forensic anthropology.
ANTH 4420 Bodies of Evidence (3 units)
Comprehensive study of the human skeleton. Topics include fundamentals of human osteology, bone biology, bone pathology, techniques of forensic anthropology, and the positive identification of human remains. Corequisite: ANTH 4422. (Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours)
ANTH 4500 Growth of Anthropology (4 units)
The history of exploration, discovery, and development of viewpoints in anthropology. The lives and stories of those men and women who found the fossil humans, the “lost” tribes, civilizations and languages, and established the science of anthropology as well as current debates shaping the discipline. Prerequisites: ANTH 2060 and consent of instructor. (Spring)
ANTH 4605 Archaeological Field Methods (5 units)
Techniques of site survey, sampling, and excavation with special emphasis on application of systematic field procedures, problem design, excavation, and recording of archaeological evidence under controlled field conditions in the Central Valley. May be repeated for a maximum of 10 units. Corequisite: ANTH 4603. Prerequisite: ANTH 2090 or equivalent recommended or consent of instructor. (Lecture, 2 hours; activity, 6 hours)
ANTH 4625 Directed Lab Research (2 units)
Application of laboratory methods in the study and analysis of archaeological specimens. Emphasis on lithic materials, pottery, and animal bone studies. Written laboratory reports to be prepared by students. Recommended to be taken in conjunction with ANTH 4605, Archaeological Field Methods. Prerequisites: ANTH 2090 and consent of instructor.
ANTH 4640 Archaeological Expedition (1-4 units)
Practical experience in archaeological procedures under actual field conditions. The course may include study of known archaeological sites, survey of archaeologically unexplored areas, or excavation of specific sites. Instruction includes research design and methods of implementation, reconnaissance, mapping, recording, testing, and excavation of archaeological data. Related studies include field photography, instrument survey, faunal identification, microanalysis, and expedition logistics. Individual initiative is encouraged. Prerequisites: ANTH 2090 and 4605 recommended or consent of instructor.
ANTH 4650 Ethnographic Field School (3 units)
(Formerly Caribbean Field School) Historical and ethnographic analysis of non-Western cultures through immersion. Includes training in qualitative and quantitative research strategies, ethnographic field techniques, language (where applicable), and archival/ethnohistoric research methods. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
ANTH 4700–4799 Studies in Physical Anthropology (1-4 units)
Studies in various aspects of physical anthropology such as faunal analysis, primate studies, human adaptability, and regional paleoanthropology.
ANTH 4900 Directed Field Research (1-5 units)
Field research conducted in any subdiscipline of anthropology under the direction of a specific faculty member. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
ANTH 4910 Cooperative Education (2-4 units)
Provides an opportunity to acquire relevant, practical experience in supervised paid employment within the discipline. Students are placed in private or public sector positions under the supervision of the employer and department Co-op coordinator. May be repeated for a total of 8 units. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and consent of departmental coordinator. (Fall, Winter, Spring)
ANTH 4940 Internship in Anthropology (1-6 units)
Designed for students who are serving as interns in public or private agencies. Students serve internship as arranged between the agency and the department. Prerequisites: 9 upper-division units in anthropology and consent of instructor.
ANTH 4950 Selected Topics in Anthropology (1-5 units)
(Topics to be specified in Class Schedule) Topics vary each term, thus different topics may be taken for credit. Corequisite: ANTH 4953. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
ANTH 4960 Senior Seminar (1-4 units)
Seminar for seniors in anthropology. Review and discussion of selected topics in anthropology. Each student is expected to report on an individual project. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
ANTH 4980 Individual Study (1-4 units)
For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
ANTH 4990 Senior Thesis (3-5 units)
Methodology of anthropology. Research techniques applied to investigation of original problems. Problem orientation, research design, manuscript preparation, and publication are emphasized. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
