Anthropology (ANTH)

This course introduces students to the core concepts, methods, and applications of anthropology and its four major fields (biological, archaeological, linguistic, and cultural). It examines the diversity and commonality of humans across time and place, ranging from the evolution of the human species through contemporary global challenges.

This course introduces students to the cross-cultural study of contemporary human communities through the tools and perspectives of cultural anthropology. Under examination will be the beliefs, values, rituals, customs, and material culture that inform and explain any society's world view. A variety of world cultures will be explored, including their cultural responses to change in this age of globalization.

This course introduces students to the field of biological anthropology, which studies human biological variation across time and place. Students will trace the evolution of the human species, drawing on evidence from the primate fossil record, comparative analysis with non-human primates, and the science of genetics. The course will also explore contemporary human biological variation and adaptations, resulting from the interaction of physical, environmental, and cultural factors.

This course provides an introduction to forensic anthropology, a field of study that involves applying methods and theories about skeletal and other human remains to answering medical, legal and human rights questions. Forensic anthropologists often work closely with medical examiners, police officers, lawyers, human rights experts, native groups, and other specialists to identify human remains and assess the context of those deaths. Students will examine the techniques for the analysis of human remains and the ethical issues surrounding the treatment of human remains and the utilization of evidence gathered.

This course investigates concepts of health, healing, illness, and pain across global cultures, including the United States and other societies. Using anthropological tools and perspectives, students will examine the interconnected biological, ecological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that shape human well-being and approaches to health care. The course explores applications of health anthropology to intercultural efforts for health and equity at the local and global levels.

This course introduces students to the anthropological field of archaeology, the study of past and present cultures through the material objects that humans create and utilize. Utilizing texts and experiential learning activities, the course explores the research methods, ethics, and theoretical concepts that archaeologists use to investigate, interpret, and conserve these material artifacts. Students learn the broad story of the human past and its relevance to contemporary human communities, drawing on examples from the archaeological record.

This course provides the foundation for understanding the human story, from fossil evidence of the earliest humans to the development of complex societies. It introduces some of the most important achievements of our human species before written history. From the Early Man discoveries in Africa to the appearance of modern peoples who created the cave paintings during the Upper Paleolithic and from the builders of Stonehenge to the great civilizations of the Near East, Egypt and Mesoamerica, this course surveys those cultural developments that are the legacy of all peoples everywhere.

This course focuses on non-western societies to provide a broad understanding of social change and development in a global context, from an anthropological perspective.

This course offers an opportunity to study a variety of ethnic music from around the world within the context of the societies that create it. While the primary focus will be limited to certain selected regions and traditions, the overall scope will be broad in that these regions represent many different countries. The approach to the course material is interdisciplinary as it incorporates aspects of the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

This course surveys the past and present experiences of the Navajo peoples of North America. It includes a multi-faceted examination of Navajo culture, including religion and religious ceremonies, history, psychology, life ways, linguistic patterns, social structure, art forms, and health care.

This course will explore the intersection of sports (professional and amateur) with culture from various perspectives including participating athletes, spectators, and the broader community. Issues of race, ethnic identity, gender equity, spiritualism, regionalism, and nationalism will be discussed. In addition to the major professional sports, athletics related to particular cultures will be examined (ie. Native American Lacrosse, Asian martial arts, and Gaelic Games). Course content will be presented through a variety of readings, films, lectures, and class discussions. Students will be assessed through a combination of short response papers, written exams, class participation, and an academic research presentation.

Students will be trained to function in the field with some degree of independence through the participation in individual archaeological site survey research. Students will learn techniques for the analysis and interpretation of prehistoric artifacts, soils, floral and faunal remains. Three hours of class and field work. Three hours of laboratory to be arranged with the instructor.

Not a field course, this study seeks to present, in a classroom setting, the methods used by researchers in investigating sites of the 18th and 19th centuries and to illustrate the kinds of questions which historical archaeology is uniquely qualified to answer. Topics include approaches to documentary research; building materials and architectural styles; field strategies; identifying archaeologically recovered materials such as ceramics, metal and glass; curating ant the archaeological collection. The hands-on approach includes sessions with materials from a notable site in Fairfield County. Completion of ANTH 1201 and HIST 1015 suggested. Each student undertakes an independent research project focusing on a structure or site in his/her own community. Two field trips are planned.

This course provides an anthropological study of the cultures of Native American peoples throughout the Americas, from the earlier indigenous settlements through the present day. Students will examine the beliefs, rituals, and ways of life of diverse native groups in the hemisphere using ethnographic and culture area studies. The course will also examine the impact of colonization, current political, social, and economic realities, and contemporary efforts to preserve native languages, cultures, and rights.