2004-05 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Department of Anthropology
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit designation below each title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (cr) credits per semester.
ANTH 110 Contemporary Anthropology
3c-0l-3cr
An introduction to the nature of anthropological inquiry. By using the
anthropological perspective, current relevant topics are 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-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
Focuses on social and cultural functions of language. Particular emphasis given
to problems in anthropology with respect to non-Western languages.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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
Assists in developing an understanding of contemporary China. While the course
begins with prehistoric and historic aspects of China, the focus is on
contemporary issues presented in the context of anthropological theory. Specific
Chinese cultural components 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-3cr
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-3cr
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.)
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics 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.
ANTH 286 Marriage, Kinship, and the Family
3c-0l-3cr
A sociological and anthropological study of patterns of marriage, kinship, and
family life, emphasizing the relationship between family patterns and other
social institutions. Topics 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.)
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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.
c-0l-3cr
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-6cr
Prerequisites:
ANTH 110,
244,
or instructor permission
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.
ANTH 340 Anthropology of Aging
3c-0l-3cr
Introduces 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 are stressed.
ANTH 350 Anthropology of Women
3c-0l-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
Introduces 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 covers:
(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-3cr
Prerequisite:
ANTH 110 or
SOC 151
Explores 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
c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite:
ANTH 244 or instructor permission
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.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite:
ANTH 110 or
211
Introduces 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.
3c-0l-3cr
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 how science may influence our patterns in years to
come.
c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: 9cr 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-3cr
Prerequisite: 9cr in ANTH
Provides a background in qualitative and quantitative techniques used in
anthropological research. Concentrates on the ethics of research with people,
formulation of hypotheses, design and use of appropriate research techniques,
and data analysis. Emphasizes development of field notes, interviewing
techniques, developing genealogies, and participant observation.
ANTH 460 Ethnographic Field School
6c-0l-6cr
Prerequisite:
ANTH 456 or instructor permission
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.
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: 9cr 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.
var-1-3cr
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.
var-1-6cr
Prerequisites: Admission to departmental honors program; prior approval
through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s
Office
An intensive, focused study involving independent research culminating in a
written thesis approved by a thesis director and two faculty readers/committee
members. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6sh.
ANTH 493 Internship in Anthropology
var-3-12cr
Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Offers 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.
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