2007-08 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 instructor permission
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
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.
3c-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 323 Mesoamerican Archaeology
3c-0l-3cr
An introduction to the archaeology of Mesoamerica which explores the natural and cultural diversity of the area south of the United States and north of lower Central America. Surveys the history of archaeological research in Mesoamerica and examines some of the specific methods of archaeological research that are unique to Mesoamerican archaeology. The focus is on three areas: the Gulf Coast and the Olmecs, The Valley of Mexico and its long history of settlement from the Tehuacan Valley through the Aztecs, and the southern Highlands and Lowlands inhabited by the Maya, although other regions of Mesoamerica will also be discussed.
ANTH 325 Archaeological Lab Methods
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: ANTH 244
A hands-on introduction to the study of artifacts and other cultural materials recovered from archaeological excavations. Experience in the specific methods of analysis in archaeological lab settings focusing on the analysis of stone artifacts, pre-Columbian ceramics, and historic artifacts. Analytic techniques include classification, quantification of attributes, and reporting of the results of the analyses.
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
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 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
3c-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
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.
ANTH 425 Archaeological Theory and Research Design
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: ANTH 244 and 325
Reviews the broad range of field, analytical, and interpretive methods adopted by archaeologists over the past century and guides students through the design and implementation of a research project of their own. Discussed against the backdrop of the discipline’s constantly shifting theoretical setting, this survey also prepares students for the task of critically assessing published research conducted by other archaeologists and locating such research within this dynamic theoretical landscape.
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.
3c-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. 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. Assists 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 an 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 6cr.
ANTH 484 Specialized Methods in Archaeology
3c-0l-3cr
Provides an
opportunity to learn specialized techniques and approaches presently in use in
archaeology. In any one semester, will concentrate on one of a range of possible
themes, including lab methods, field methods, statistical methods, computer
applications, or text-based approaches. The specific topic varies but focuses on
instructing in the mechanics of the selected technique, its application to real
archaeological problems, and the interpretation of the results. May appeal to
students from other disciplines who wish to gain applied expertise in a topic
that is relevant to their own field of study. Interested students should contact
the instructor to find out which topic will be taught in any one semester.
ANTH 485 Anthropological Study Odyssey
var-3cr
Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Involves exploration of an anthropological topic such as a culture or archaeological tradition through classroom and field activities. Typically, students are exposed to the topic during several days of intensive classwork and then pursue greater understanding through travel and possibly limited fieldwork. Readings, site tours, on-site lectures by specialists, and field exercises give a chance to develop an understanding of anthropological perspectives on the topic under study as well as to provide exposure to anthropological field and analytic methods. The odyssey also intends to allow students to experience other cultures, sites, and/or locales firsthand. May be repeated for credit under a different odyssey title but may be used only once to meet the requirements of an Anthropology track.
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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