| Anthropology |
ANTH 411 - Global Perspectives on the Human Condition: An Introduction to Anthropology
Credits:
4.00
By providing a global perspective on the human experience,
this course helps us think about the issues that confront
students as citizens of the world. Gleaning lessons from
cultures past and present this course examines what it
means to be human. Whether humans are violent or
peace-loving, egalitarian or hierarchical is linked to
specific ways of life, rather than reflecting a fixed human
nature. The course examines the economic, political, and
social forces that shape human behavior and the global
forces that people around the world currently confront.
From an anthropological perspective it addresses pressing
social issues such as sustainable development, hunger and
poverty, population growth, religion and changing world
views, racism, urbanization, co modification, and movements
for social co modification, and movements for social justice
ANTH 411H - Honors/Global Perspectives on the Human Condition: An Introduction to Anthropology
Credits:
4.00
By providing a global perspective on the human experience,
this course helps us think about the issues that confront
students as citizens of the world. Gleaning lessons from
cultures past and present this course examines what it
means to be human. Whether humans are violent or
peace-loving, egalitarian or hierarchical is linked to
specific ways of life, rather than reflecting a fixed human
nature. The course examines the economic, political, and
social forces that shape human behavior and the global
forces that people around the world currently confront.
From an anthropological perspective it addresses pressing
social issues such as sustainable development, hunger and
poverty, population growth, religion and changing world
views, racism, urbanization, co modification, and movements
for social co modification, and movements for social
justice. Writing intensive.
ANTH 411W - Global Perspectives on the Human Condition: An Introduction to Anthropology
Credits:
4.00
By providing a global perspective on the human experience,
this course helps us think about the issues that confront
students as citizens of the world. Gleaning lessons from
cultures past and present this course examines what it
means to be human. Whether humans are violent or
peace-loving, egalitarian or hierarchical is linked to
specific ways of life, rather than reflecting a fixed human
nature. The course examines the economic, political, and
social forces that shape human behavior and the global
forces that people around the world currently confront.
From an anthropological perspective it addresses pressing
social issues such as sustainable development, hunger and
poverty, population growth, religion and changing world
views, racism, urbanization, co modification, and movements
for social co modification, and movements for social
justice. Writing intensive.
ANTH 412 - Broken Pots and Buried Cities: Adventures in Archaeology
Credits:
4.00
Traces the history of archaeology's most spectacular finds
and how those moments of adventure and glory developed
into a scientific discipline. Provides an introduction to
the methods used by archaeologists to recover, analyze, and
interpret data in their ongoing effort to understand
humanity through the analysis of those small things left
behind.
ANTH 415 - The Human Story: Evolution, Fossils and DNA
Credits:
4.00
This course uses an evolutionary approach to investigate
human biological and bio-cultural variation in time and
space. Through a study of the basics of population
genetics, an evaluation of our closest living relatives,
nonhuman primates, and an exploration of the biological and
cultural pathways traversed by our ancestors to become
modern Homo sapiens, students learn the depth and
complexity of the human story. Laboratory exercises dealing
with human genetics, hominin fossils, and evolution are
integrated with lectures to give students hands-on learning
experience. No credit earned if credit received for ANTH 413
ANTH 444 - The Lost Campus: The Archaeology of UNH
Credits:
4.00
In this course, students are active participants in the
systematic documentation and examination of the University
of New Hampshire's cultural heritage resources. Students
are introduced to the practice and process of archaeology
through lectures, readings, assignments and hands-on
archival research and archaeological fieldwork. Students
learn the foundational methods of archaeology including
survey, mapping, documentation, excavation, artifact
identification, artifact interpretation, and presenting
results to the public.
ANTH 500 - Peoples and Cultures of the World
Credits:
4.00
A) North America; B) South America; C) Middle East and
North Africa; D) Sub-Saharan Africa; E) South Asia; F)
Southeast Asia; G) Oceania; I) Caribbean; Z) Other.
Characteristic ecological, historical, and socio-cultural
factors in the major ethnographic regions of the globe.
Analysis of selected societies and institutions. Offered in
the following sections as staff is available and student
needs dictate. North America: Study of the economy,
society, religion, art, and ideas of North American Indians
from pre-colonial times to the present. South America: A
survey of the indigenous cultures and selected studies of
the relationship between environment and culture. Changes
in culture and social organizations since the 16th century
will be considered where historical data permit. Middle
East and North Africa: The role of ecological, social,
cultural, and historical factors in shaping Middle Eastern
and North African culture today. Special attention will be
paid to family, values, and religion; to nomadic, village,
and urban ways of life; and to issues of unity, diversity,
colonialism, and culture change. Sub-Saharan Africa: Study
of Sub-Saharan economy, society, and culture from
pre-colonial times to the present. South Asia: Emphasis on
India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Traditional and changing South
Asian cultures, including caste, family, economy, and
religious traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Southeast
Asia: Geographical, historical, ethnic, and socio-cultural
factors characteristic of the region. Impact of Indian,
Chinese, Islamic, and European civilizations. Analysis of
selected indigenous social, political, economic, and
religious institutions. Oceania: Study of the economy,
society, religion, art, and ideology of Pacific Island
cultures from pre-colonial times to the present. Caribbean:
The history and contemporary situation of diverse cultures
of the Caribbean are examined using ethnography, music, and
film. The mixture of cultural roots from Africa, Europe,
and Asia are investigated and the dynamic and fluid nature
of these cultures is stressed. Race as an experience of
oppression and resistance is discussed.
ANTH 500W - Peoples and Cultures of the World
Credits:
4.00
A) North America; B) South America; C) Middle East and
North Africa; D) Sub-Saharan Africa; E) South Asia; F)
Southeast Asia; G) Oceania; I) Caribbean; Z) Other.
Characteristic ecological, historical, and socio-cultural
factors in the major ethnographic regions of the globe.
Analysis of selected societies and institutions. Offered in
the following sections as staff is available and student
needs dictate. North America: Study of the economy,
society, religion, art, and ideas of North American Indians
from pre-colonial times to the present. South America: A
survey of the indigenous cultures and selected studies of
the relationship between environment and culture. Changes
in culture and social organizations since the 16th century
will be considered where historical data permit. Middle
East and North Africa: The role of ecological, social,
cultural, and historical factors in shaping Middle Eastern
and North African culture today. Special attention will be
paid to family, values, and religion; to nomadic, village,
and urban ways of life; and to issues of unity, diversity,
colonialism, and culture change. Sub-Saharan Africa: Study
of Sub-Saharan economy, society, and culture from
pre-colonial times to the present. South Asia: Emphasis on
India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Traditional and changing South
Asian cultures, including caste, family, economy, and
religious traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Southeast
Asia: Geographical, historical, ethnic, and socio-cultural
factors characteristic of the region. Impact of Indian,
Chinese, Islamic, and European civilizations. Analysis of
selected indigenous social, political, economic, and
religious institutions. Oceania: Study of the economy,
society, religion, art, and ideology of Pacific Island
cultures from pre-colonial times to the present. Caribbean:
The history and contemporary situation of diverse cultures
of the Caribbean are examined using ethnography, music, and
film. The mixture of cultural roots from Africa, Europe,
and Asia are investigated and the dynamic and fluid nature
of these cultures is stressed. Race as an experience of
oppression and resistance is discussed. Writing intensive.
ANTH 501 - World Archaeological Cultures
Credits:
4.00
The development of prehistoric cultures worldwide offered
in the following sections: A) North America; B)
Mesoamerica; C) South America; D) Near East; E) Europe; F)
Asia. North America: from earliest settlement to European
contact, includes Eastern Woodlands, The Plains, and the
Southwest. Mesoamerica: from earliest cultures through
Spanish conquest, includes the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec
civilizations. South America: Cultural development from
earliest migrations to the Inca Empire. Near East: from
earliest agricultural villages to the world's first
civilizations.
ANTH 508 - Anthropology of Internet
Credits:
4.00
While adopting an anthropological lens in this coursewe
explore how and in what ways digital environment,
cyberspace in particular, affects an individual, community,
and the state, and how, in turn individuals affect the
digital landscape. Focusing on the dynamic interaction
between digital environment and humans we will (1) tease
out what is "new" about our contemporary moment, (2)
clarify changes and continuity that characterize this
digital age and its effects on our daily lives, (3) explore
vitualityas part of our daily experiences, and (4) learn
how in what ways cyberspace becomes a place of personal
acheivement, dwelling of community-like formations, social
control, and politics.
ANTH 511 - Core Concepts in Anthropology
Credits:
4.00
This course introduces students to the core concepts and
paradigms of contemporary anthropology. Students will
learn how anthropology approaches the study of family.
kinship, community, gender, economic relationships,
political systems, religion, social change and
globalization. Ethnographic material from a variety of
cultures will illustrate the concepts of social structure
and the cultural construction of categories such as race
and ethnicity. Foundation course required of anthropology
majors in first year of declaring their major. Writing
intensive.
ANTH 513 - Ethnographic Methods
Credits:
4.00
This class introduces students to a number of ethnographic
methods both as technology of conducting ethnographic
research and as theory of ethnographic practice. This is an
experience-based course; the students are expected to
rigorously engage in learning about ethnographic methods
not only through reading and discussion, but mainly
through their practice. All cultural anthropologists and
some representatives of other disciplines participate in
ethnographic research throughout their careers. The course
provides students with information and experience that
informs and guides their future knowledgeable and reflexive
ethnographic research. Majors only.
ANTH 514 - Method and Theory in Archaeology
Credits:
4.00
Basic method and theory; techniques in recovering and
interpreting data; laboratory exercises in ceramic and
lithic analysis. Critical evaluation of archaeological
literature. Prereq: ANTH 412 or permission.
ANTH 515 - Anthropology and Contemporary Issues
Credits:
4.00
Anthropological approaches to current world issues such as
racism, poverty, religious movements, revolution, and
environmental stress. Selected topics examined in the
context of both western and nonwestern societies.
ANTH 597 - Special Topics
Credits:
4.00
Occasional and experimental offerings on an entry level.
May be repeated for different topics.
ANTH 601 - Topics in Popular Culture
Credits:
4.00
This course explores the anthropology of popular culture
using film, novels, and other media as well as widely
disseminated texts. The course focuses on myths about
culture and human behavior which become part of the global
cultural mainstream, and counterposes popular stereotypes
with data from cultural anthropology and archaeology. A)
Native Americans and Popular Culture B) Archaeology and
Popular Culture C) Popular Culture and Physical
Anthropology D) Poverty and Popular Culture E) Gender and
Popular Culture F) Other. May be repeated but not in
duplicate areas.
ANTH 610 - Medical Anthropology: Illness and Healing
Credits:
4.00
How we as humans define sickness and health, our theories
of who or what made us ill, our approach to biological
processes from birth to death and our search for cures have
varied through history and from culture to culture. This
course provides and overview of illness and healing beliefs
and practices in different cultures both around the world
and in the United States. The course examines the
practices and belief systems of healers, voodoo
priestesses, midwives, Taoist priests, psychiatrists and
medical doctors through the same analytical lens. Operates
on a seminar format.
ANTH 610W - Medical Anthropology: Illness and Healing
Credits:
4.00
How we as humans define sickness and health, our theories
of who or what made us ill, our approach to biological
processes from birth to death and our search for cures have
varied through history and from culture to culture. This
course provides and overview of illness and healing beliefs
and practices in different cultures both around the world
and in the United States. The course examines the
practices and belief systems of healers, voodoo
priestesses, midwives, Taoist priests, psychiatrists and
medical doctors through the same analytical lens. Operates
on a seminar format. Writing intensive.
ANTH 611 - History of Anthropological Theory
Credits:
4.00
Provides a grounding in the history of social thought in
cultural anthropology and sister disciplines from 19th
century evolutionism to the present. Course reading is
based on primary sources - original essays written by
theorists central to the discipline. Assessment is partly
based on students' ability to apply theoretical concepts to
novel contexts, as well as the ability to evaluate and
compare theories on the basis of logic and evidence. Majors
only.
ANTH 616 - Religion, Culture, and Society
Credits:
4.00
Major anthropological theories of religion; analysis of
religious beliefs as symbolic systems and their
interrelations with ritual and other social institutions.
Detailed study of specific religions. Operates on a seminar
format. Writing intensive.
ANTH 620 - Ritual and Religion of Ancient Mesoamerica
Credits:
4.00
This course examines the religious beliefs and ritual
practices of ancient Mesoamerican cultures, such as the
Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs. Students learn about the meaning
of ritual practices (like human sacrifice and burial rites)
and the myths that underlie this mysterious ritual behavior
from an archaeological perspective. This class is writing
intensive and involves primarily in-class discussion.
Students are evaluated based on their participation, oral
presentations, and a number of writing assignments. Writing
intensive.
ANTH 625 - Sexuality in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Credits:
4.00
This course examines the ideologies and practices
associated with sexuality from a broad perspective that
incorporates diverse case studies from the ethnographic
record. Working from the argument that much of human sexual
behavior is culturally constructed rather than biologically
determined, the course invites students to expand their
notion of the "normal" and to consider the human condition
from a cross-cultural perspective. Topics discussed include
cross-cultural varieties of trangendered experience,
same-sex sexualities, and heteronormative identities.
ANTH 627 - Urbanization in Africa
Credits:
4.00
Explores the process of urbanization and describes the
creation of urban culture in sub-Saharan Africa by
investigating the effects of urbanization on socio-economic
and cultural conditions. An attempt is made throughout the
course to study urbanization and urban life within the
context of broader societal, economic, cultural, and
political relations in order to understand the dynamics
inherent in these processes. Urbanization is discussed in
the context of colonialism, post-colonialism, and other
social relations of dependency that continue to shape urban
life and urban-rural relations.
ANTH 640 - Anthropology of Islam: Muslims' everyday lives in comtemporary communities
Credits:
4.00
This course introduces students to different ways of being
Muslim in contemporary world, focusing on Muslim
communities residing in Central Asia (post-Soviet
independent countries, China, and Afghanistan); the United
States and some parts of Europe; and the Middle East and
North Africa (MENA).
ANTH 670 - Language and Culture
Credits:
4.00
Investigates the relationship between language and culture
and how their interpenetration produces meaning. Special
attention to the issues of class, gender, and ethnicity and
the ways in which inequality is maintained through
culturally patterned speech styles and associated
prejudices. Speech communities in the United States are
emphasized.
ANTH 674 - Archaeological Survey and Mapping in Belize
Credits:
4.00
Involves hands-on training in field reconnaissance, survey
and mapping of archaeological sites, and the use of ARCGIS
mapping software. This field course takes place in Belize
(Central America) and will be of interest to students
studying anthropology, geography and geospatial
technologies, among others. Special fee.
Co-requisites:
INCO 589
ANTH 675 - Archaeol Field School Belize
Credits:
8.00
The Archaeological Field School in Belize is an intensive,
four-week summer program focused on the ancient Maya
civilization in the eastern Belize River valley in Central
America. Project participants will map and excavate
archaeological sites and receive hands-on training in field
and lab methods. Students will be graded on their
participation, their submission of a field notebook, an
exam based on readings and nightly lectures, and a final
written report based on original field research. Special
fee. Majors only.
Co-requisites:
INCO 589
ANTH #680 - Globalization, Development, and Poverty
Credits:
4.00
This course considers the phenomenon of globalization, a
term that has come into use since the 1980s to describe
the ever-intensifying networks of cross-border human
interaction which increasingly tie the world together.
Tracing the relationship between the increasing
interconnectedness of the world, the processes of economic
development and change, and world poverty, the course
demonstrates that the consequences of globalization are
neither the same nor positive in every country. Through the
use of case studies of different development processes,
students gain an understanding of why and how globalization
is creating differential effects in different parts of the
world. This course is the first course of a suggested two
course sequence, ANTH 680 and ANTH 780. Writing intensive.
ANTH 685 - Gender, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
Credits:
4.00
AIDS is spreading rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa. Course
explores the factors that are behind this rapid
transmission, including poverty, gender inequality, culture
and sexuality. Operates on a seminar format. Writing
intensive.
ANTH 690 - Ethnographic Field Research
Credits:
4.00
Explores history, theory, and practice of ethnographic
research. Students read and practice such techniques as
mapping, taking life histories, compiling genealogies, and
analyzing use of space, language, and rituals. Each student
also carries out, writes up, and presents an independent
research project. Prereq: ANTH 411 or SOC 400; one
500-level or higher anthropology or sociology course; or
permission. No credit for students who have completed ANTH
630. Operates on a seminar format. Writing intensive.
ANTH 695 - Globalization and Global Population Health
Credits:
4.00
This course considers the phenomenon of globalization and
its impact on health of populations across cultures and
nations. The term globalization has come into use since the
late 1980's to describe the over-intensifying network of
cross border human interaction that increasingly ties the
world together. At most abstract level, glaobalization is
characterized by vast constant movement of capital goods
and jobs across borders usually under decisions made by
multinational corporations and global financial lending
institutions. Studies show that this process of social
change tends to increase economic opportunities but without
distributing them equally with deleterious consequences on
people's health. Writing intensive.
ANTH 697 - Special Topics
Credits:
4.00
Occasional or experimental offerings. May be repeated for
different topics. Prereq: ANTH 411 or permission. Operates
on a seminar format. Writing intensive.
ANTH 698 - Folklore and Folklife
Credits:
4.00
Examines the materials and methods used to study folklore
and folklife, emphasizing the historical context and
development of folklore studies in North America and
Europe, field research, performance theory, and other
topics. (Also offered as ENGL 732.) Operates on a seminar
format. Writing intensive.
ANTH 699 - Senior Thesis
Credits:
4.00 or 8.00
Independent work in the library or field; recommended for,
but not confined to, majors intending to pursue graduate
studies. Contact staff to obtain approval and arrange
supervision prior to senior year. 4 or 8 credit 2
semesters; an IA grade (continuous course) given at end of
first semester. Writing intensive.
ANTH 699H - Honors Senior Thesis
Credits:
4.00 or 8.00
Independent work in the library or field; recommended for,
but not confined to, majors intending to pursue graduate
studies; required for honors candidates. Contact staff to
obtain approval and arrange supervision prior to senior
year. 4 or 8 credit 2 semesters, 8 credits required for
honors; an IA grade (continuous course) given at end of
first semester. Writing intensive.
ANTH 700 - Internship
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Provides student with supervised practical experience in
anthropology in one of the following areas: A)
professional or community support work within an academic
or applied anthropology setting; B) teaching; C) museum
work; D) archaeological laboratory or fieldwork; E)
research on a faculty research project; F) editorial work
on a journal or faculty book project. May be repeated up to
8 credits. Prereq: permission.
ANTH 705 - Topics in Mesoamerican Anthropology
Credits:
4.00
Examines the very origins of civilization in the New World
by first focusing on the domestication of staple food
crops and the development of inequality and carefully
tracing the ever increasing socio-political complexity
displayed by early Mesoamerican peoples. Includes the
successive rises of the Olmec, the Zapotec, the Preclassic
Maya and Teotihuacan in an effort to understand the
mechanisms driving the development of agricultural
intensification, economic specialization, long-distance
trade networks, and the institution of divine kingship.
Operates on a seminar format, open only to juniors and
seniors.
ANTH 730 - Anthropological Thinking on Education
Credits:
4.00
Course introduces the students to key anthropological
concepts that, taken together, underpin anthropological
thinking on education. The concepts are Culture (Geertz,
White), Evolution (Morgan Steward), Function (Malinowski,
Radcliffe-Brown), Interpretation (Geertz, Turner), Feminism
and Postmodernism (Leacock, Rosaldo) and Process (Bailey,
Vincent). The course analyzes and synthesizes them into a
conceptual framework by which to understand human behavior,
activity, production and reproduction in formal education.
ANTH 740 - Teaching Race
Credits:
4.00
How do we teach about race? What are schools and
universities communicating about the meanings of racial
ascription, of color and whiteness? How can we best use the
power of educational institutions to further the struggles
for equality and racial justice?And how can we do this in
ways that constructively educate all our students? This
course brings together prospective teachers and other
students interested in human relations to discuss ways of
combining the insights of new scholarship on race with
personal experiences and challenges in the classroom to
address these questions.
ANTH 750 - Islam and Gender: Gendered Lives of Women and Men in Muslim Communities
Credits:
4.00
This seminar focuses on the lives of Muslim women and men
as gendered subjects. The seminar introduces students to
several practical and historical aspects of gender politics
in different Muslim communities, and critically questioning
and challenging established representation of Muslim men
and women. Prereq: ENGL 401. Writing intensive.
ANTH 785 - The Anthropology of Dreams and Dreaming
Credits:
4.00
This course emphasizes the "dream theories" of indigenous
societies and how beliefs and practices associated with
dreaming are integrated into cultural, ontological,
political, economic, and religious systems. Western
theories are also examined from within a comparative
perspective--from basic Freudian models to contemporary
scientific debates about the neurological origin and
significance of dreaming. Writing intensive.
ANTH 795 - Reading and Research
Credits:
1.00 to 8.00
A) Cultural/Social Anthropology; B) Anthropological
Linguistics; C) Archaeology; D) Physical Anthropology.
Prereq: 12 credits of anthropology; permission.
ANTH 796 - Reading and Research
Credits:
1.00 to 8.00
A) Cultural/Social Anthropology; B) Anthropological
Linguistics; C) Archaeology; D) Physical Anthropology.
Prereq: 12 credits of anthropology; permission.
ANTH 797 - Advanced Topics
Credits:
4.00
Advanced or specialized courses presenting material not
normally covered in regular course offerings. May be
repeated, but not in duplicate areas. Course descriptions
on file in the department office during registration. A)
Social Organization; B) Economic Anthropology; C)
Anthropology of Religion; D) Political Anthropology; E)
Social Impact Analysis; F) Cultural Ecology; G) Prehistoric
Archaeology; H) Historic Archaeology; I) Cultural Resources
Conservation; J) Lithic Analysis; K) Ceramic Analysis; L)
Faunal Analysis; M) Human Evolution; N) Human Variations;
O) Anthropological Theory. Prereq: ANTH 411 or 412 (as
appropriate)/ or permission. Operates on a seminar format,
open only to juniors and seniors.