Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Anthropology
Courses of Instruction
Anthropology (ANTH)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
ANTH 100g Principles of Human Organization: Non-Western Societies (4, FaSp) Universal social organizational themes and their culture-specific variations are explored across five non-western societies.
ANTH 101 Body, Mind and Healing (4) The body, illness and healing from a cultural perspective, including comparative studies of folk healing systems, curing rituals and Western biomedical practices.
ANTH 105g Culture, Medicine and Politics (4, Fa) Survey of the impact of public institutions, the private sector, and cultural practices on health and the delivery of health care in the United States.
ANTH 125g Social Issues in Human Sexuality and Reproduction (4, FaSp) Examination of the “natural” (biological) and “unnatural” (social and cultural) dimensions of human sexuality and reproduction.
ANTH 140g Native Peoples of Mexico and Central America (4, Sp) An exploration of the nature and contributions of pre-Columbian high civilizations (Maya, Aztecs, etc.) and their descendants as they resist and assimilate to the modern world.
ANTH 200Lg The Human Animal (4) (Enroll in HBIO 200Lg)
ANTH 201 Introduction to Social Anthropology (4, FaSpSm) Major culture types, nomadic hunters and herders, peasant and tribal societies, sophisticated kingdoms; social, political, economic, and religious institutions.
ANTH 202 Archaeology: Our Human Past (4, FaSp) Archaeology as the means of investigating our shared human past, from the origins of humanity to the foundations of current civilization.
ANTH 205 Introduction to Global Studies and Overseas Research (4, Sp) Cultural differences and social processes examined in global and regional networks. Issues are studied ethnographically, using materials from several disciplines.
ANTH 225 Gender, Sex, and Science: A Gender Studies Approach (4) (Enroll in SWMS 225)
ANTH 235g The Changing Pacific: Culture, History and Politics in the New South Seas (4, Fa) Current social and political developments in the South Pacific analyzed from the perspective of the historical relationship between indigenous cultures and the West. Concurrent enrollment: MDA 140.
ANTH 240gm Collective Identity and Political Violence: Representing 9/11 (4, FaSp) Critically examines visual, textual, and performative representations of culture and identity, with the terrorist attacks of 9/11 serving as a topical anchor. Recommended preparation: ANTH 263.
ANTH 250g Race and Sexual Politics in Southeast Asia (4) Southeast Asia is studied as a meeting place of different races and cultural traditions, with emphasis on the precolonial heritage of sexual equality and postcolonial reinterpretations of men’s and women’s worlds.
ANTH 263g Exploring Culture Through Film (4, FaSpSm) Concepts of social anthropology using filmic representations of societies throughout the world in contrast to written ethnography.
ANTH 273g Shamans, Spirits and Ancestors: Non-Western Religious Traditions (4, Fa) An intensive study of local systems of belief and knowledge in selected societies in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America with emphasis on ideas of the spirit world.
ANTH 300 Evolution, Ecology, and Culture (4, FaSpSm) (Enroll in HBIO 300)
ANTH 301 The Performance of Healing (4) Survey of the performance of healing in cross-cultural perspective. The course culminates in field research to Spiritist centers outside the United States.
ANTH 302 Humans and Ancient Environments (4 FaSp) Examine ways that humans have caused and adapted to environmental change in the past. Recommended preparation: ANTH 202 and GEOL 105Lg or GEOL 150Lg.
ANTH 304 Prehistoric Archaeology (4) Examination of the rise of human social complexity from the first Homo Sapiens through the development of agriculture, chiefdoms, states and empires. Recommended preparation: HBIO 200Lg.
ANTH 305 Childhood, Birth and Reproduction (4, Fa) Cross-cultural analysis and comparison of the experience and cultural conception of birth, maternity, parenthood, and childhood in western and non-western societies.
ANTH 306 Primate Social Behavior and Ecology (4, FaSpSm) (Enroll in HBIO 306)
ANTH 308 Origins and Evolution of Human Behavior (4) (Enroll in HBIO 308)
ANTH 310 Archaeology of the Americas (4, Irregular) Pre-Columbian culture from early hunters to the Spanish conquest in major geographical areas of Mexico, Central America, Peru, or the United States.
ANTH 311 Old World Archaeology (4, Irregular) Neolithic revolution and origins of civilization in major culture centers such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, or China.
ANTH 314g The Nature of Maya Civilization (4) A seminar forum on Maya culture from the earliest form to present; problems of origins, classic florescence, systems collapse, conquests, persistence, and transformation today.
ANTH 315g North American Indians (4, Fa) North American Indian societies, their major cultural themes, ethnological significance, and comparability with Western European cultural forms; lectures, visuals, and indigene demonstrations.
ANTH 316gm North American Indians in American Public Life (4, Sp) Role of American Indians in American public life from colonial times to the present; native American forms of government; relations between tribes and the U.S.
ANTH 317 Imaging Indians: From Warriors to Windtalkers (4, Fa) An historical and anthropological overview of 500 years of the presentation of differing and, often, contradictory perceptions of Native American life and character in popular and academic media.
ANTH 320 Male and Female in Pacific Society (4, Sp) Cultural variations in gender systems and historical changes due to colonialism and development in Polynesia, Melanesia, Indonesia, and other Pacific Rim cultures.
ANTH 322 Anthropology of Bali (4, Sp) An introduction to the methodology of social anthropology, focusing on the culture of the Indonesian island of Bali.
ANTH 323 Regional Ethnology: Southeast Asia (4, Irregular) Peoples and cultures of southeast Asia, from the late Pleistocene to the present.
ANTH 324 Regional Ethnology: China (4, 2 years, Sp) Anthropological perspective of the ordinary citizens of the Peoples’ Republic of China: peasants, workers, bureaucrats, students, and women.
ANTH 325 Global Studies Research Methods (4, Fa) Methods for field research in international settings include ethnography, archival work, surveying and documentation; preparation for overseas research and senior thesis. Recommended preparation: ANTH 205.
ANTH 326 Ethnography of European Culture (4, Irregular) Europe as a geographic area in terms of its linguistic, ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity; particular focus on peasant society and the Little Tradition.
ANTH 327 Anthropology of the Middle East and Islam (4, Sp) Explores written and visual ethnography for study of Middle East community, sociopolitical forms and religious life. Examines scriptural and living Islam and dynamics of contemporary Islamic revival.
ANTH 328m Culture Change and the Mexican People (4, Irregular) Culture change theories and methods (archaeology, community studies, participant-observation) used to examine the varied experiences of peoples in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest.
ANTH 329 Archaeology and Global Cultural Heritage (4) Exploration of the role archaeology plays in the creation of modern national, ethnic, racial and other types of identities worldwide.
ANTH 330m Culture, Gender and Politics in South Asia (4, Fa) Examination of violence, identity, law, religion, nationalism, development, caste, kinship, gender, and the South Asian diaspora.
ANTH 333m Forms of Folklore (4, Fa) Introduction to folklore as a discipline, including folklore research methods and theory. Core course for the minor in Folklore and Popular Culture.
ANTH 335 Comparative Muslim Societies (4, Irregular) Examines issues of nationality, religion, and culture among Muslim peoples in the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, and the Soviet Union from an anthropological perspective.
ANTH 336 Health, Gender and Ethnicity (4, Sp) (Enroll in SWMS 336)
ANTH 337 Anthropology of Warfare (4) Examination of the origins of warfare, its evolution and the changes it brought to human civilization. Recommended preparation: ANTH 202, ANTH 304.
ANTH 345 Politics, Social Organization, and Law (4, 2 years, Sp) Political and legal systems of primitive societies, social control, and structure.
ANTH 355 Urban Anthropology (4, Irregular) Exploration of empirical and analytical approaches employed by anthropologists in studying urban phenomena cross-culturally; urban origins, structure, and social processes.
ANTH 357 Culture of Genocide (4, FaSp) The comparative analysis of genocide in different cultures and historical moments in order to understand the processes through which genocide has been perpetuated, as well as different cultural responses to it. Recommended preparation: ANTH 100, HBIO 200L.
ANTH 360 Symbolic Anthropology (4, Fa) The role of symbols in the evolution of culture; symbolic aspects of myth, ritual, and social life. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
ANTH 365 Life History in Anthropological Perspective (4, Irregular) Examination of one’s life within its sociocultural context; study of family history, autobiography, diary, journal, and film; research and writing of a life history.
ANTH 370 Family and Kinship in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4, 2 years, Sp) Comparative examination of family and kinship in tribal, peasant, and complex societies, emphasizing non-Western cultures, societal and normative consequences of forms and functions in family.
ANTH 371m Cross-Cultural Research on Urban Gangs (4) Youth gang dynamics and their effects on institutions. Comparative analysis of Asian, African, and Mexican American gangs.
ANTH 372 Interpretation of Myth and Narrative (4, Fa) Oral narratives from non-Western cultures; communications about deeply-held beliefs, psychological tensions, social problems, and the structure of the mind.
ANTH 373 Magic, Witchcraft and Healing (4) Analysis of the practices of witches and witch doctors, priests, diviners and traditional healers in Western and non-Western societies, relating their practices to religion and medicine.
ANTH 374 Asian Americans: Ethnic Identity (4, FaSp) (Enroll in SOCI 375)
ANTH 375 Applied Anthropology (4, 2 years, Sp) Evaluation of cultural impact of policy and program designed to stimulate change in traditional communities. Fieldwork assignments in education, health, and development.
ANTH 376 Scientific Analysis in Archaeology (4) Examination of the range of scientific techniques and technologies used for the analysis and interpretation of material culture recovered during archaeological excavations. Recommended preparation: ANTH 202.
ANTH 380 Sex and Gender in Anthropological Perspective (4) Cultural construction of gender in a number of non-Western societies is compared to ideas of sex and sexual differences in American society.
ANTH 385m Men and Masculinity (4) (Enroll in SWMS 385m)
ANTH 390 Special Problems (1–4, Irregular) Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.
ANTH 395m African American Humor and Culture (4) (Enroll in AMST 395m)
ANTH 400 Maya Resilience: Constructing Past and Present Identities (4, Sm) Examination of how the Maya, past and present, have forged their cultural identity. Issues are explored through visits to sites and communities in Guatemala. Recommended preparation: ANTH 202, ANTH 310, ANTH 314g or another anthropologically based archaeology course.
ANTH 405 Evolutionary Medicine (4, Sp) (Enroll in HBIO 405)
ANTH 406 Theory and Method in Human Evolutionary Biology (4, FaSpSm) (Enroll in HBIO 406)
ANTH 407 Peasant Society (4, Sp) Comparative study of the social, economic, political, and religious characteristics of peasant societies as they have existed and continue to exist in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
ANTH 409 Indigenous Languages in Northern Ireland (4, Sm) Examination of indigenous languages in Northern Ireland, with a focus on the sociopolitical dimension of revitalization movement.
ANTH 410ab Ethnographic Field Methods and Practicum (4-4, FaSp) Survey of anthropological methods for acquiring and analyzing data. a: Ethnographic research methods and modes of analysis; development of a field research project. b: Implementation of the field project. Prerequisite: ANTH 201.
ANTH 415 Global Studies Senior Seminar (4, Fa) Preliminary analysis for research data for overseas research to compare results, discuss writing strategies and gain comparative perspective to prepare a senior thesis. Recommended preparation: ANTH 205, ANTH 325.
ANTH 420 Woman, Nature, Culture: The Behavioral Ecology of Women (4, FaSp) (Enroll in SWMS 420)
ANTH 425 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (4, Irregular) Cultures of the indigenous peoples of South America; results of Spanish conquest and colonization; present folk societies and their cultures.
ANTH 435x Ethnic Diversity in China/Inner Asia (4) Tibetans, Mongols, Muslims and other minorities on the China and Inner Asian frontier will be surveyed through ethnohistories, lectures, films and guest lectures. Not available for graduate credit.
ANTH 440 History of Anthropological Theory (4, Sp) Ideas about man, culture, and society which have formed the field of anthropology as a research discipline; present trends and problems.
ANTH 445 African American Anthropology (4, FaSp) An examination of anthropological research on race and African American culture, from the 18th century to the present. Recommended preparation: AMST 385, ANTH 263.
ANTH 450 Field Research in Maya Archaeology (4, Sm) Hands on research experience at a Maya ruin in Guatemala, including archaeological survey and excavation in the jungle. Prerequisite: ANTH 202 or ANTH 310 or ANTH 314g; corequisite: ANTH 400.
ANTH 460 Economic Anthropology (4, Fa) Comparative study of human systems of production, distribution, and consumption; anthropological approaches to study of economic behavior; economic systems of primitive, peasant, and developing societies.
ANTH 465 Archaeology and Society (4, FaSpSm) (Enroll in CLAS 465)
ANTH 470 Multidisciplinary Seminar in Visual Anthropology (2 or 4, Irregular) Application of broadcast journalism, cinema, and anthropology to ethnographic film making.
ANTH 472 Visual Techniques in Anthropology: Stills (4, Fa) Visual techniques for data collection and analysis in anthropological research. Visual anthropology research using 35 mm. photography skills, fieldwork procedures, data analysis, and presentation formats.
ANTH 475 Ethnographic Film Analysis (4, Irregular) Analysis of film as a tool for investigating primitive and modern cultures and societies.
ANTH 476 Ethnographic Film Theory from an Historical Perspective (4) Technologies and uses of, theoretical frameworks for, and the presentation styles of ethnographic materials are examined from an historical perspective.
ANTH 481L GIS for Archaeologists (4) Training of archaeology students in the use of GIS through the understanding of basic principles and theoretical restrictions of geospatial sciences. Prerequisite: ANTH 202, SSCI 382.
ANTH 490x Directed Research (1–8, max 12, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.
ANTH 491 Directed Research for Honors (4, Irregular) Individually guided research and readings culminating in the production of an honors thesis. Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA; ANTH 201 plus 8 units of upper-division anthropology courses.
ANTH 499 Special Topics (2–4, max 8, Irregular) Current literature: social change, comparative institutions, urbanization, ideology.
ANTH 501 History and Foundations of Anthropology (4, Fa) An historical survey of the development of theory and methods in social anthropology.
ANTH 502 Contemporary Theory in Anthropology (4, Sp) Continuation of ANTH 501, focusing on current models, methods, and issues in social anthropology.
ANTH 503 Regional Ethnography (4, Sp) An intensive analysis of the anthropology of a major culture area.
ANTH 506 Primate Behavior and Sociobiology (4) Advanced course on the behavior, ecology and sociobiology of living primates. Takes a Darwinian approach to behaviors such as parenting, mating, diet and feeding, competition, and demography.
ANTH 509 Key Topics in Linguistic Anthropology (4, FaSp) Introduction to key topics in linguistic anthropology with special focus on interrelations between language, identity, culture, gender, and power in the U.S. and beyond.
ANTH 510 Urban Anthropology (4, Fa) Intensive ethnographic analysis of specialized urban niches, microsettings, ethnicity, community studies.
ANTH 554 Women in Global Perspective (4) (Enroll in SWMS 554)
ANTH 562 The Practice of Ethnography (4, Sp) Major approaches to ethnographic fieldwork are explored in classic cases.
ANTH 575 Seminar in Ethnographic Film (4, Fa) A survey of ethnographic film using both the dimensions of natural history descriptions and process, contrasted with naturalism and structuralism as tools of controlled comparison and analysis.
ANTH 576L Anthropological Media Seminar (4, max 8) A hands-on laboratory-based survey of pre-production techniques in video and audio production, including exercises to prepare students to shoot their own documentaries. Recommended preparation: visual anthropology background.
ANTH 577L Advanced Anthropological Media Seminar (4, max 8) A hands-on laboratory-based survey of post-production technologies, including editing both new and older footage. Students should be finishing their own documentaries. Prerequisite: ANTH 576.
ANTH 590 Directed Research (1–12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master’s degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
ANTH 593 Practicum in Teaching the Liberal Arts (2, FaSp) (Enroll in MDA 593)
ANTH 594abz Master’s Thesis (2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.
ANTH 599 Special Topics (2–4, max 8, Fa)
ANTH 601 Feminist Issues in Anthropology (4, FaSpSm) Feminist concerns in both Western and Non-Western societies are examined in relation to globalization; the practice of ethnography and issues of power.
ANTH 602 The Anthropology of Popular Culture (4, FaSpSm) The relationship between anthropology and popular culture is explored through a critical examination of the category “popular culture.”
ANTH 603 Experiments in Ethnographic Writing (4, FaSpSm) The problems of representation involved in rendering experience into narrative are examined in a number of contemporary “experiments.”
ANTH 604 Bodies and Practices (4, FaSpSm) The cultural construction of body image, embodied practice, race, sexuality and healing.
ANTH 605 Race: Performance, Politics, Cultural Production (4, FaSpSm) Focuses on the performance and social construction of race and its intersection with gender, sexuality, class, place, nation and empire.
ANTH 606 Seminar on Nationalism and Ethnicity (4) Cross-cultural analysis of nationalism and ethnicity from an ethnographic perspective. Graduate standing.
ANTH 650 Seminar in Ethnography and Interpretation (4) A seminar where issues in contemporary ethnography and interpretation are discussed, grouped around a theme of current concern, such as power and resistance, colonialism, Marxist approaches, feminism, etc. Prerequisite: ANTH 501.
ANTH 790 Research (1–12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Minimum 8 units, maximum number of units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
ANTH 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.