Courses in Anthropology
Introduction to the issue of human diversity, the course poses the question of what it means to be human. Through
Introduction to the methods used by archaeologists to study ancient sites and artifacts. Topics include archaeological fieldwork, laboratory analysis, dating, interpretation of artifacts, and the reconstruction of past cultural patterns. Examples include studies of ancient and recent societies. Two lectures, one laboratory period per week.
Survey of the theory, methods, and goals of cultural anthropology, emphasizing the nature of culture and the varied forms in which it is expressed among the peoples of the world. Two lectures, one discussion period per week.
Introduction to human evolution. This course spans the human fossil record from “Lucy” to Cro-Magnon. Topics include our primate past and the evolution of upright walking. The steady increase in our ancestors’ brain size is explored along with the cultural correlates of biological evolution such as stone tools, language origins
Survey of the basic morphology and behavior of nonhuman primates. Prosimian and anthropoid primates are studied in terms of their comparative morphology and behavior, with reference to these same features among humans.
Survey of the history of health and disease from the earliest humans before the development of settlements to contemporary populations living in industrialized cities. Emphasizes the role of culture and behavior in disease.
This course traces the origin and evolution of writing systems from their earliest precursors to the modern world. It is organized around a series of puzzles that guide participants through the processes of discovery and decipherment that led to our current understanding of writing systems. About half of the course is devoted to small-group workshops in which participants receive hands-on experience working together on problems in decipherment. The broader goal of the course is to learn how to do
T ANT 124 Lost Languages and Ancient Scripts (4)
T ANT 124 is the Honors College version of A ANT 124; only one version may be taken for credit.
T ANT 125 The Design of Language (3)
Constructed languages have played a prominent role in recent popular culture. Elvish, for example, is a language spoken by immortal elves in The Lord of the Rings. Klingon is spoken by humanoid aliens from another planet in Star Trek. Both languages attempt to imagine what the communication system of another intelligent species might be like. But in order to construct a credible fictional language, however, we have to think carefully about the nature of human language. This course asks which features of human language would be necessary components of any intelligent communication system and which features are contingent on the accidents of human biology. Open to Honors College students only.
Ancient cultures from around the world will be presented and analyzed from the available archaeological data. The gradual development of civilization in both the Old and New Worlds will be the focus of the course.
An examination of key ancient Near Eastern civilizations in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syro-Palestine, and Turkey and the influence they exerted on the Minoan the Mycenaean civilizations. This is followed by the rise of Greece, the development of Athenian democracy, the decline of Greece leading to Macedonian domination, the conquests of Alexander the Great
T ANT 141 Human Rights and Wrongs: Anthropological Explorations (3)
This course is designed to provide an overview of human rights and anthropology from theoretical and historical points of view and from the vantage point of engagement and practice. Using a critical approach, we will move away from the notion of a set category or monolithic legal structure toward an understanding of a flexible and elastic set of conceptual frameworks used to accomplish transitions, make claims and gain access to resources. In doing so, we will consider the increasing
Survey of the Puerto Rican people, history, and culture on the island from the pre-Hispanic era to the present. Special emphasis on the change of sovereignty in 1898, the national question, migration, race, class, and culture. Only one version may be taken for credit.
Introduction to the study of folklore as an aspect of culture, symbolically expressing people’s identity, beliefs
Students who are concurrently registered in any 100 or 200 level anthropology course, may with permission of the instructor of that course, enroll in A ANT 189Z and fulfill a
Study of a selected topic in anthropology. May be repeated for credit when
How many people believe most everything they are
T ANT 201 Critical Thinking and Skepticism (3)
T ANT 201 is the Honors College version of A ANT 201; only one version may be taken for credit.
Biological variation in human populations, with emphasis on genetics, adaptability, demography
Introduction to the study of language, including examination of the characteristics and structural principles of natural language. After exploring the basic characteristics of sound, word formation
This course examines how fear has affected and transformed diverse past cultures through the examination of the archaeological and historical record. It investigates material culture for the influence of fear, discusses methods for identifying fear in the past, and uses this evidence to learn about and humanize ancient peoples. A particular focus will be to identify historical connections to contemporary societies and the deep historical roots of various kinds of cultural fears. Only one of A ANT 222 and T ANT 222 may be taken for credit.
T ANT 222 Fear and the Human Past (3)
T ANT 222 is the Honors College version of A ANT 222. This is a seminar course that will be a combination of weekly assigned readings, group discussions, and multi-media presentations. Only one of T ANT 222 and A ANT 222 may be taken for credit. Open to Honors College Students only.
A ANT 233 (= A LCS 233) Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas (3)
T ANT 233 (= T LCS 233) Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas (3)
T ANT 233 is the Honors College version of A ANT 233; only one version may be taken for credit.
The nature and distribution of North American Indian cultures from the pre-Columbian period to the present. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 100 or 108.
T ANT 242 (= T LCS 242) Food, Culture and Power in Mesoamerica (3)
In Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador), food is a powerful form of cultural expression that is immersed in local and global politics and power relations. This course will survey Mesoamerican native culture from the lens of its rich food heritage.
This course will introduce students to the cultural history of the Caribbean region, from the 18th century to the present. This history encompasses colonialism, slavery, emancipation, imperialism, migration, revolution, dictatorship, tourism
T ANT 272 Global Latin American Cities: Transnational Politics and Space (3)
What are contemporary cities and how do we understand them in the contexts of globalization and transnationalism? How do anthropologists study such cities? In order to address these basic questions, this course is organized around a set of films and important theoretical concepts that have been debated in anthropology, urban studies, geography, sociology
This course explores how the human body moves with the goal of providing a strong foundation for future training and clinical practice. The first part of the course will cover fundamental concepts and terminology, basic joint mechanics, muscle physiology, and applied biomechanics. The rest of the class will focus on the regional biomechanics and evolution of the human upper extremity, axial skeleton, and lower extremity. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 110, A ANT 211, A ANT 316, and A ANT 318.
This course teaches how to graphically record a typical range of archaeological artifacts, including ground and chipped stone tools, pottery, metal
Birth, marriage, migration, and death — some of the most basic events in people's lives — are closely linked to larger economic and social phenomena. An understanding of these events can shed light on the economic and social world inhabited by people in the past and how these contexts interact to shape human populations and individual behavior. In this course, students will be introduced to the sources and methods used by historical demographers to reconstruct, measure, and compare past populations. In addition, the course will cover a broad range of problems in historical demography, including mortality crises, fertility control, the modern rise in population, and the influence of economic and social institutions on demographic change. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 110 and A ANT 211.
This course is an intensive study of the anatomy of the human skeleton. This course will cover bone histology, growth and development of bones, common pathological conditions, the determination of age and sex from skeletal material, and the identification of whole and fragmented bones in archaeological and forensic contexts. This course will include a laboratory component to provide students with the opportunity to examine the material discussed in class. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing.
Population genetics theory is the foundation of evolutionary biology and contributes heavily to modern ideas in ecology, systematics, and agriculture. This course is an introduction to that theory with special emphasis on evolution. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 211 or A BIO 205 or 212.
This course teaches the application of methods from biological anthropology and archaeology to the recovery and analysis of skeletonized human remains. The primary focus of this course is the application of these methods to
This course provides an introduction to human anatomy and physiology. These topics refer to the form and function of the human
This course will provide a broad introduction to the field of exercise physiology. Topics covered will include cellular energy metabolism, pulmonary and cardiovascular responses to exercise, muscle physiology, training, nutrition,
This course provides an introduction to human anatomy and physiology. These topics refer to the form and function of the human
Analysis of the pattern of human growth during the prenatal and postnatal periods and their variation around the world. The course focuses on the influence of social factors, nutrition, alcohol and cigarette use, race/ethnicity, pollution, and features of the physical environment
The human ability to produce and understand an infinite number of different sentences is one of the most remarkable capabilities we have. The study of the structure of sentences is called syntax, and this course is an introduction to syntactic theory. The particular approach we will be pursuing is called generative grammar, the approach to syntax pioneered by linguists such as Noam Chomsky. Chomsky argues that all humans are born with an unconscious knowledge of Universal Grammar, the basis on which the grammars of all languages are built. Through a detailed examination of English sentence structure, we will investigate the connections between English syntax and Universal Grammar. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 220 or permission of instructor.
Introduction to the description and analysis of human speech sounds and their organization. Introduction to articulatory phonetics and the International Phonetic Alphabet followed by examination and generative phonological analysis of data from English and a wide range of other languages. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 220 or permission of instructor.
Introduction to the study of language as a social phenomenon. Includes basic sociolinguistic concepts, interactional sociolinguistics, social dialects, Black English, diglossia, bilingualism, and bilingual education. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 220 or permission of instructor.
Survey of a topic in archaeology or regional prehistory for
Ethnoarchaeology combines the archaeologist’s interest in material culture with the cultural anthropologist’s interest in ongoing behavior. Included are the archaeology of living populations, action archaeology, experimental and replication studies, formation processes, and ethnographic analogy, among other subjects. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 104 or permission of instructor.
Comparative treatment of the earliest urban settlements around the world. Case studies include Mesopotamia, Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa, China, Southeast Asia, Mesoamerica, and the Andes. Cities are compared in terms of planning, political roles, religious features, economic patterns, and their rise and fall.
Introduction to data gathering techniques used by archaeologists in the field. Taught prior to A ANT 338 as basic training for students concentrating in archaeology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 104 or permission of instructor.
Directed archaeological excavation of selected sites, including experience in site location, mapping, excavation, preservation, analysis, classification, and interpretation. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 335 or permission of instructor.
Survey and practical application of laboratory techniques using materials from the University collections. Emphasis on physical and chemical analysis, classification, and specialized analysis.
Survey of the cultures of one of the major regions of the world. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Consult
Survey of the cultures and history of the native peoples of Mexico and Central America. Beginning with the documents created by and about native peoples around the time of the Spanish invasion, the course follows the experiences of these societies through the colonial period and up to the present. Only one version of A ANT 341 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 100 or 108.
Survey of the literature of the native peoples of North America and Mesoamerica, from early colonial times to the present. Readings include oral narratives, songs, autobiography, and contemporary poetry and fiction. Discussion focuses on the use of texts for cultural analysis, Native American literary aesthetics, and the survival of native literary traditions. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing.
This course examines how anthropology and science fiction (more broadly, speculative fiction [SF]) each explore ideas about culture and society, morality, technology, power and "life" in other worlds. Through engagement with different kinds of materials, the class will revisit fundamental and contemporary concepts in anthropology (and life) such as relativism, first contact, national and cultural identities, class, gender, morality, religion, race, gender, politics, violence, war and others. Prerequisite(s): A ANT104 and A ANT 108.
This course explores the archaeological study of food and ancient human diet, subsistence, and foodways. Students will learn about the different theories and approaches that archaeologists use to study ancient meals, the domestication of plants and animals, and the development of different food procuring strategies, cooking methods, and cuisines. The class will discuss the social, cultural, political, economic, and ideological implications behind what we eat. Students will also learn about the methods used to investigate ancient foods and diets, including faunal and paleobotanical analyses, ceramic and lithic studies including chemical residue analysis and experimental studies, and bioarchaeological methods, such as stable isotope studies and the study of tooth wear patterns, just to name a few.
Analysis of ethnicity, assimilation
A central premise of economic anthropology and of this course is to view economics as
What is globalization? An in-vogue buzzword? Political posturing? An academic relic? In this course, we will conduct a thorough analysis of how globalization - a truly complex process of ideas, technology, the movement of people, beliefs, language, traditions, food, and other cultural nuances - resonates around the globe. We will introduce globalization theory and focus our understanding of the subject in exploring how this process affects not elites but everyday people working to achieve a better life in the Americas. The aim of this course is to help students understand global economic policy and politics by investigating how does globalization
Comparative study of social systems, tribal, traditional, and modern societies. Deals with economic, kinship, political, and other aspects of social structure. Social systems in functionalist, evolutionary, and dialectic perspectives. Combines in
The practical application of anthropological theory and research to policy areas such as economic development, environment, welfare, and mass media. The ethics of applied anthropology. Prerequisite(s): 3 credits in anthropology or political science or sociology.
Topical and theoretical survey of anthropological approaches to understanding human religious expression. Topics include myth, ritual, world view, shamanism, gender, and religious change. Emphasizes the religions of non-literate, non-Western peoples but also includes examples from major world religions and contemporary Western societies. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 100 or 108, or A REL 100.
Introduction to cultural approaches to medical anthropology.
A cross-cultural perspective on how new reproductive technologies (including in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, ultrasound, prenatal screening for disability, sex selection, fetal surgery, and neonatal intensive care) are transforming the experience of procreation and challenging cultural notions of kinship, personhood, and what it means to be human. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): 3 credits in anthropology, philosophy, or women's, gender
Introduction to urban anthropology. Emphasis on rural-urban migrations, adjustment and assimilation of urban migrants, urban kinship and family structure, poverty culture, rural-urban typologies, and the application of anthropological methods to the study of urban societies. Prerequisite(s): one course in anthropology, sociology, political science, or geography.
This course is about globalization and its impact on local communities worldwide. The term globalization will be understood not as a large-scale abstract and deterritorialized process, but one that has impact, consequences, and influence on local communities on a daily basis. The course is titled "Global Ethnography," which means that the class will be reading first-hand accounts of scholars who have documented the effects of
The history of and current trends in anthropological theories of gender. Specific issues are raised in the form of questions, including: On what bases
Students who are concurrently registered in any 300 or 400 level anthropology course, may with permission of the instructor of that course, enroll in A ANT 389Z and fulfill a
Historical survey of theoretical approaches to the study of culture, with emphasis on contemporary trends. Recommended for majors planning graduate work. Content may vary with
Back pain, knee pain, allergies, morning sickness, and even the common cold. These are all common health problems we and
This course addresses the principles and specifics involved in nonhuman primate evolution. The first portion of the class investigates the relationships between ecology, sociality, and phylogeny on the one hand and the diversity of adaptations among living primates on the other. The second portion of the class will apply principles derived from the living primates to understanding the adaptations and evolutionary relationships among fossil primates, and the relationships between extinct and living species. Particular attention will be paid to major research questions relevant to significant periods in primate evolution. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 110.
This course is designed as an in-depth examination of tourism in relation to culture and its impact on the identities of both hosts and guests. Some questions to be explored in this course include the role of tourism in the formation of regional, national, and transnational identities, how tourism reflects global inequities and the consequences tourism creates for local communities and everyday lives.
Demographic theory as it applies to anthropological populations, with emphases on birth, death and growth rates, population size and dispersion, mating, and migration. Aspects of historical and paleodemography accompany analyses of living populations. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 110 and 211.
This course provides an introduction to the biological, ecological, and social factors influencing diet and nutrition. Basic nutritional physiology and biochemistry are presented in the first part of the course. Later topics include
Selected topics in biological anthropology. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Consult
Anthropological study of health and disease patterns in human populations with
The Arctic Circle, Mount Everest, the Sahara Desert, poverty, obesity, and even space! These are all extremes some humans experience. Using primary literature and pop culture resources, this course will explore how humans have physiologically, culturally, and technologically overcome these extremes. Through this use of mixed
This course continues the investigation of the relationship between the grammars of particular languages and Universal Grammar. We will examine the syntax of several languages from around the world asking ourselves the following questions: a.) How do the principles that organize the grammars of other languages around the world compare to English? b.) What grammatical properties are true for all languages? We will discuss the answers to these questions in the light of generative grammar. Only one version may be taken for credit. The former A LIN 421 & A ANT 421 do not yield writing intensive credit. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 321 with
Advanced studies in generative phonological theory, with a focus on the analysis of prosodic phenomena such as stress, tone, and accent. Discussion of recent theoretical trends in phonology. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 322 with
Investigation of the structure of a selected language, language family, or language area; may be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisite(s): A LIN 321 or 322 or permission of instructor.
Study of the nature of the interrelationships that exist between linguistic behavior and other aspects of culture. Prerequisite(s): A ANT/A LIN 220 or permission of instructor.
Language development and change. Language classification, linguistic reconstruction. Only one version of A ANT 425 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 322.
Advanced theory and method in archaeology, emphasizing topics such as quantitative applications, spatial analysis, cultural processes, systems analysis, the application of dating techniques, and the reconstruction of extinct cultures. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 104.
Seminar on selected topics in the archaeological study of past social organization. Topics will vary. Examples include settlement patterns, household organization, economic processes, urbanism, and world systems. Topics will be approached in terms of methods, theories, and comparative analysis. May be repeated for credit.
Seminar on selected Mesoamerican writing systems. Focus varies, but Classic Mayan writing is usually emphasized. Topics include the structure and evolution of the scripts; relations between writing and other communication systems; and anthropological research using hieroglyphic evidence. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): course work in Mesoamerican archaeology, ethnology, or linguistics is recommended.
Survey of the archaeology of a selected region of the world. Topics vary according to the regional specialty of the professor in charge. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 104.
The course emphasizes collections management and research with existing collections, including database management, basic museum methods for anthropologists, and approaches to problems of using data collected by other researchers. Students design and complete projects using existing collections. Prerequisite(s): A ANT 104.
Study of a selected topic in medical anthropology. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. Consult
This class takes an anthropological perspective to discuss contemporary Latin American social movements. It considers why the intensification of social movements throughout the region may follow some traditional forms of resistance and mobilization, but also why it is a response to neoliberal globalization. These new movements seek to define a novel
This course examines the folktale in its oral and literary forms, with principal emphasis on the fairy tale or magic tale. Folktales are artistic creations that organize emotional experiences into a story form that has universal appeal, but which varies in accordance with ethnicity, gender, class, and other cultural and social factors. The course traces the folktale's history in Europe, from the earliest publications to the present, and explores different approaches to understanding this narrative form.
Anthropology, the comparative study of human beings, is typically associated in the public eye with the following themes: (so-called) exotic cultures, travel to remote places and cultural immersion (participant observation), a comparative, culturally-relative understanding of human differences, 4) colliding cultural worlds of today, yesterday and tomorrow (cultural contact, culture change, and their consequences), 5) critiques and improvements of ethnoscientific biases in studying the Other, and 6) directing a trained eye to the analysis of western industrialized cultures and their peers. We will explore these themes via the medium of film, under the general rubric of Visual Anthropology, focusing on such topics as historically important films, the politics of representation (in fiction or nonfiction), and the evolution of anthropology as a discipline. In tandem with these themes, we will explore regional cultures and their traditions related to warfare, gender identity, religion, family structure. Case studies featuring films about human rights, culture change, fictional anthropologists, and Native-authored films are also part of the course.
Ethnographic fieldwork experience for qualified undergraduates. Study of fieldwork methodology and principles together with actual
Introduction to basic research skills required to answer questions on human behavior, with special emphasis on cross-cultural communication and learning and dynamics of cross-cultural interaction. Specific research projects familiarize students with
Students in the honors program should enroll in both A ANT 482 and 483 for a total of 6 credits during the fall and spring of their senior year. Students will write an honors thesis under the supervision of a member of the Anthropology Department, present periodic progress reports, and deliver an oral summary of the completed thesis. Prerequisite(s): admission to the Anthropology Department honors program.
Students in the honors program should enroll in both A ANT 482 and 483 for a total of 6 credits during the fall and spring of their senior year. Students will write an honors thesis under the supervision of a member of the Anthropology Department, present periodic progress reports, and deliver an oral summary of the completed thesis. Prerequisite(s): admission to the Anthropology Department honors program.
Supervised placement in an agency engaged in conservation and documentation of archaeological artifacts, such as the New York State Museum or State Conservation Laboratory.
Advanced course on
Independent reading or research on selected topics under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing.
Seminar on selected topics in anthropology. Open to seniors with permission of
