Indiana University of Pennsylvania

2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705

 

Anthropology

 

Credit designation at right of title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (sh) semester hours of credit per semester.

 

ANTH: Anthropology

Department of Anthropology

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

 

 

ANTH 110 Contemporary Anthropology

3c-0l-3sh

An introduction to the nature of anthropological inquiry. By using the anthropological perspective, current relevant topics will be discussed. Topics could include, but are not limited to, changing myths and rituals, legal anthropology, cross-cultural aspects of aging, gender roles, evolutionism and creationism, cultural extinction, and world hunger.

 

ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology

 3c-0l-3sh

Explores the nature of culture as a human survival technique. Provides a framework for appreciation and understanding of cultural differences and similarities in human societies, past and present.

 

ANTH 213 World Archaeology

 3c-0l-3sh

A survey of the prehistory of Western and non-Western cultures with an emphasis on the development of technology and on the evolution of adaptive strategies with particular attention to the origins of agriculture. Exposes the students to the diversity of past cultural systems and to the methodological and theoretical questions of concern to archaeologists.

 

ANTH 222 Biological Anthropology

3c-0l-3sh

An introduction to the goals and techniques of biological anthropology with an emphasis on primatology, paleoanthropology, genetics, and osteology. Provides a basis for evaluating the role of biology in human behavior.

 

ANTH 233 Language and Culture

3c-0l-3sh

Focuses on social and cultural functions of language. Particular emphasis given to problems in anthropology with respect to non-Western languages.

 

<Back to Top>

 

ANTH 244 Basic Archaeology

3c-0l-3sh

An introduction to the goals and methods of anthropological archaeology with particular attention to the analysis of cultural chronology, past lifeways, and cultural process. Provides laboratory experience with artifacts and other archaeological data.

 

ANTH 271 Cultural Area Studies: Africa

3c-0l-3sh

Explores the cultural diversity of the continent of Africa. The first unit examines the historical processes which shape modern society, including the formation of indigenous African empires, the evidence for trade routes, slave trading, and colonialism. The second unit examines the nature of African traditional societies, including analyses of forager and agricultural groups. The last unit covers issues of contemporary development in Africa such as famine and agricultural policy, the status of women in economic development, and apartheid. Reading includes ethnographic and historical accounts of African society as well as selections by African writers on the issues of contemporary society. (Also offered as SOC 271; may not be taken for duplicate credit.)

 

ANTH 272 Cultural Area Studies: China

3c-0l-3sh

Designed to assist the student in developing an understanding of contemporary China. While the course will begin with prehistoric and historic aspects of China, the focus will be on contemporary issues presented in the context of anthropological theory. Specific Chinese cultural components that will be investigated include values, attitudes, norms, social organization, linguistics, and folklore. (Also offered as SOC 272; may not be taken for duplicate credit.)

 

ANTH 273 Cultural Area Studies: Southeast Asia

3c-0l-3sh

An introduction to the peoples and cultures of Southeast Asia. Prehistory and the development of indigenous states in the area and analysis of impact of world religions, such as Islam, and Western colonialism. Also examines modern hunter-gatherer and farming societies and discusses contemporary issues in social and economic change, including the Green Revolution, tropical deforestation, the struggle of ethnic minority tribal peoples, and the plight of Indochinese refugees. (Also offered as SOC 273; may not be taken for duplicate credit.)

 

ANTH 274 Cultural Area Studies: Latin America

3c-0l-3sh

An introduction to the peoples and cultures of Latin America. Focuses on the prehistory and development of pre-Columbian complex societies in Mesoamerica and the Andes and analyzes the impact of European colonialism on these major regions. Also examines contemporary issues, such as civil wars, economic development, rural-urban migrations, and migration and immigration of Latin American peoples into the United States. (Also offered as SOC 274; may not be taken for duplicate credit.)

 

ANTH 281 Special Topics

var-1-3sh

Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content

Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students

 

<Back to Top>

 

ANTH 286 Marriage, Kinship, and the Family

3c-0l-3sh

A sociological and anthropological study of patterns of marriage, kinship, and family life, with an emphasis on the relationship between family patterns and other social institutions. Topics covered include the family and marriage in historical and comparative perspective, worldwide patterns of gender stratification, incest and incest avoidance, class and race contexts of family patterns, mate selection and love, parenthood and child rearing, domestic and sexual violence, alternative family lifestyles, and the current crisis and possible future of the family. Intended for a broad audience but also open to sociology and anthropology majors and minors. (Also offered as SOC 286; may not be taken for duplicate credit.)

 

ANTH 314 Native Americans

3c-0l-3sh

A survey of culture history and culture area characteristics of the Indians of North America. Detailed study of representative groups related to historical, functional, and ecological concepts.

 

ANTH 315 North American Archaeology

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or 244 or permission of the instructor

A survey of North American prehistory with an emphasis on cultural ecology and technology. Attention is given to all geographic areas north of Mexico, but the focus is on the Eastern Woodlands.

 

ANTH 316 Anthropology of Religion

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or 211

Explores nature, function, and universal characteristics of religion in human society by utilizing cross-cultural approach. Theories concerning religious phenomena serve as topics for discussion.

 

ANTH 317 Archaeology Research Design and Analysis

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 244 or permission of the instructor

An introduction to theory and method in archaeological research through lecture, laboratory exercises, and individual projects. Provides students with actual experience analyzing and interpreting archaeological data sets.

 

ANTH 318 Museum Methods

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or 211 or 244

Lecture and laboratory course surveying the role of museums as social and educational institutions, types of museums, museum administration, and museum architecture. Procedures for collection, curation, preservation, and storage of anthropological and natural history specimens examined.

 

ANTH 320 Archaeological Field School

var-6sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 110, 244, or permission of instructor

An introduction to archaeological survey, field excavation, and laboratory processing. Field school students participate in one or more of the ongoing research projects of the IUP Archaeology Program.

 

<Back to Top>

 

ANTH 340 Anthropology of Aging

3c-0l-3sh

Introduces the student to various experiences faced by elderly people in numerous world societies. Explores the impact of such factors as ethnicity, nationality, race, and class and the processes of cultural change on the lives of people growing old. Comparative, cross-cultural perspectives will be stressed.

 

ANTH 350 Anthropology of Women

3c-0l-3sh

Designed for any student with an interest in the lives of women around the world, regardless of whether or not he or she has a strong background in anthropology. Examines the social roles, rights, and responsibilities of women cross-culturally, viewing both women’s productive (economic) functions as well as reproductive functions. Reading describes the position of women in technologically simple societies and addresses the comparative position of women in the industrialized socialist and capitalist countries. The central theme of the course is an examination of how the position of women changed in the twentieth century.

 

ANTH 360 Applied Anthropology

3c-0l-3sh

Applied anthropology focuses on the anthropologist as an agent of social change and bridges the gap between theories of cultural behavior and the policies which affect contemporary cultures. Examines the historical role of anthropologists in early public administration and then examines at length the work of contemporary applied anthropologists in programs of international economic development (health, agriculture, and education), in domestic human service planning and delivery, in cultural resource preservation, and in their role as advocates for unempowered minorities.

 

ANTH 365 Native North American Religions

3c-0l-3sh

An introduction to the indigenous religions of North America and to the peoples who practice these rich and varied approaches to the sacred. Not only examines major religious themes and dimensions (myth, ritual, ethics, etc.), but also includes a historical perspective on North American Indian lifeways. This perspective involves discussion of the clash with Euro-American values and contemporary native religious responses to social crisis and change. (Also offered as RLST 365; may not be taken for duplicate credit)

 

ANTH 370 Latinos and Diasporas

3c-0l-3sh

Introduces students to the global and local dimensions of the changing Latino communities in the United States and examines the communities’ multiple connections and dynamic interactions with Latin American diasporas. Toward this end, the course will cover: (1) theories on transnational communities, diasporas, the state, and citizenship; (2) Latino cultures and geography; (3) Latin American immigration and labor migration to the United States; and (4) the impact of Latin American diasporic networks on Latino and non-Latino communities. (Cross-listed as LAS 370)

 

ANTH 401 Social and Cultural Change

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or SOC 151

An exploration of current theoretical perspectives on social and cultural change. Special attention given to planned change at the local or regional level.

 

ANTH 415 Cultural Resource Management

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 244 or consent of the instructor

Provides an understanding of how cultural resources are being preserved and managed under current American laws and regulations with particular emphasis on historic properties, such as historic buildings and archaeological sites. Case studies and field trips are incorporated so that students gain a thorough understanding of key problems and issues in historic preservation and cultural resource management.

 

ANTH 420 Cultural Ecology

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or 211

Introduces the student to the field of ecological anthropology by exploring the concept of the ecosystem in relationship to varying human adaptive strategies. Illustrates the importance of understanding man-environment interactions both in studying the developing world and in investigating the past.

 

ANTH 430 Anthropology of Food

3c-0l-3sh

All humans must obtain food in order to ensure their subsistence, but the ways in which we satisfy this basic physiological need are not the same for everyone. Examines how human evolutionary history influences contemporary consumption patterns. Discusses how patterns of human migration influenced the development of cuisines, and how what we eat is often determined by historical patterns of colonization and contemporary political struggles. Discusses the cultural basis for definitions of what is edible and what is prohibited. Examines patterns of food use in our culture, and discusses how science may influence our patterns in years to come.

 

<Back to Top>

 

ANTH 444 Medical Anthropology

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: 9sh in ANTH or permission

Focuses on the study of human confrontation with disease and illness and on the adaptive arrangements made by various human groups for dealing with these dangers. Health and disease are viewed from a broad array of micro and macro perspectives, e.g., evolutionary, ecological, and psychosocial. Designed for nursing and social work students as well as social and biological sciences students.

 

ANTH 456 Ethnographic Research Methods

3c-0l-3sh

Prerequisite: 9sh in ANTH

An examination of methods and practice of sociology and anthropology in the areas of qualitative and quantitative methods. Concentrates upon the development of field notes, interviewing techniques, participant observation, etc. Qualitative methods of sampling and analysis will include theoretical sampling and analytic induction. Brief background research into community, organizational, and group structure will also be emphasized.

 

ANTH 460 Ethnographic Field School

6c-0l-6sh

Prerequisite: ANTH 456 or permission of instructor

Ethnographic research training in the field. Emphasizes the application of qualitative research methods, the recording of data in research journals and the maintaining of field diaries, the categorizing and organizing of data, and the writing of research reports.

 

ANTH 480 Anthropology Seminar

var-1-3sh

Prerequisite: 9sh in ANTH or permission

A seminar approach to the integration of the fields of anthropology. Designed to assist the advanced student in understanding the nature of anthropology, the major theoretical issues, and the history of intellectual development.

 

ANTH 481 Special Topics in Anthropology

var-l-3sh

Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content

Special topics courses are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 481 are primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.

 

ANTH 482 Independent Study

var-1-3sh

Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office

Students with interest in independent study of a topic not offered in the curriculum may propose a plan of study in conjunction with a faculty member. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.

 

ANTH 483 Readings in Anthropology

var-1-3sh

Directed readings on special topics in anthropology. Instructor guides selection of readings.

 

ANTH 493 Internship in Anthropology

var-3-12sh

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

Designed to offer students practical experience in any of the specialized fields of anthropology (physical, social-cultural, archaeology, or linguistics). Each student develops objectives in consultation with a particular departmental faculty member who is supervising the internship. Detailed field notes and a major paper based on the experience are required.

 

<Back to Top>



IUP Info | Table of Contents | Index of Courses

This information is maintained by the Office of the Registrar, with approval from the University Senate.