Anthropology Course Offerings

Please see the section on “Course Description Symbols and Terms” in The University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

ANTH 011

Survey of Physical Anthropology 3.0 Fa/Spr

The qualities of being human are examined through the investigation of evolutionary principles, non-human primates, human fossil record, and living peoples. The biological origin, evolution, and variation of humankind are explored. Lower division General Education Breadth Area B2, Natural Sciences-Life Forms. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course.

ANTH 012

Society, Time, and Archaeology 3.0 Fa/Spr

Significant events in mankind’s prehistoric cultural development and their relevance to the present. Human antiquity; the acquisition of culture during the Paleolithic; the beginning of early civilization. Introduction to the methods of archaeology and human paleontology. This is an approved General Education course. CAN ANTH 6.

ANTH 013

Human Cultural Diversity 3.0 Fa/Spr

The course explores culture as the basis for understanding the human experience, including an examination of cross-cultural diversity. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western Course. CAN ANTH 4.

ANTH 013H

Honors in Human Cultural Diversity 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

The phenomenon of culture and its profound role in structuring the individual’s experience of reality. The range of diversity in human socio-cultural institutions. Some explanations for similarities and differences in human cultures. Exploration of the contemporary relevance of anthropological perspectives, data, and methods. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western Course.

ANTH 016

Power and Scarcity: 3.0 Fa/Spr
The Anthropology of Change

A comparative analysis of the interaction of economic and political forces in societies of the non-western world. The diversity with which various cultures address scarcity, the distribution of goods and power. Transition from traditional economic and political institutions over time, and the impact of these changes on the values, attitudes, and lifestyles on developing urban populations. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western Course.

ANTH 040

Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion 3.0 Fa/Spr

A cross-cultural examination of religions and world views. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western Course.

ANTH 080

Field Archaeology 4.0 OddFall

See ANTH 180. 1.0 hour lecture, 9.0 hours supervision.

ANTH 098

Special Topics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 098A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

ANTH 100

Principles of Physical Anthropology 3.0 Inquire

The quality of “humanness” explored through the investigation of the non-human primates and human fossils. Humanity’s present and potential future place in nature. Integrates biological, historical, and ecological considerations.

ANTH 101

Physical Anthropology 4.0 Fall

Biological evolution and variation in humans, mankind’s place in nature, origin, and antiquity as represented in the fossil record; recent studies of non-human primates; the beginnings of culture. 3.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

ANTH 102

Archaeology 3.0 Fall

Case study examination of fundamental concepts, methods, and changing theoretical orientations of archaeology. Archaeology in the contemporary world, and archaeology as a profession.

ANTH 103

Cultural Anthropology 3.0 Fa/Spr

Case study examination of fundamental concepts, methods, and changing theoretical orientations of cultural anthropology.

ANTH 104

Language and Culture 3.0 Fa/Spr

Language as a symbolic communication; structural, comparative, and sociolinguistics; analysis of English and non-western language data.

ANTH 111

Survey of Forensic Science 3.0 Fa/Spr

A survey of the relationship between science and society by noting the history and nature of the role of the expert witness and the forensic scientist in aiding to resolve various legal issues.

ANTH 112

Cataclysmic Events in Human Prehistory 3.0 Fa/Spr

Through selected case studies, this course examines a series of cataclysmic events, ranging from volcanic eruptions and droughts to massacres and societal collapse, which illustrate that change, even cataclysmic change, is and has long been part of the human experience. The theoretical perspectives which anchor this inquiry into cataclysmic events of the human past are evolutionary, anthropological, and archaeological. This is an approved General Education course.

ANTH 134

Body, Self, and Emotion 3.0 Inquire

Examines the categories of “body” and “self” cross-culturally, the emergence of “sexuality” as a sphere of personal definition, and the varied constructions of self and emotion in America and cross-culturally.

ANTH 138

Culture and Tourism 3.0 Inquire

Examines the nature of tourism as a socio-economic force, involving individuals as well as groups; assesses the types of tourists and their motivations for travel; and the types of the target communities and the available destination activities. Case studies illustrate the positive and negative impacts of tourism as an agent of culture change. A survey of the extensive literature assesses the current status of knowledge, the areas and topics in which further research is needed, and the methodology and models currently being used in tourist studies. Formerly ANTH 238.

ANTH 139

Cultural Images of Women 3.0 Inquire

This cross-cultural study of women emphasizes changing constructions of gender and gender relations from the Paleolithic period to the rise of the state. This is an approved Non-Western Course. Formerly ANTH 239.

This course is the same as WMST 139 which may be substituted.

ANTH 161

North American Indians 3.0 Fa/Spr

Survey of Native North America with emphasis on U.S. tribes, their cultures, rituals, and institutions. Brief examination of pre-history. The focus is on historical and contemporary people. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic Course.

This course is the same as AIST 161 which may be substituted.

ANTH 162

California Indians 3.0 Fall

Native peoples of California, their origin, prehistory, languages, culture, and interaction with Europeans. Selected case studies, with special emphasis on the local area. This is an approved Ethnic Course. Formerly ANTH 262.

ANTH 163

Arctic Cultures 3.0 Inquire

Native peoples of the Arctic, range of material and social culture, problems of acculturation and stress, current policies of various governments in the economic and social development of the Far North.

ANTH 167

Mesoamerican Indians 3.0 Fall

Case studies on the impact of European contact, post-Conquest changes in indigenous cultures and traditions, culminating in a cultural synthesis which persists. Present-day indigenous communities, problems of acculturation, and their relationship to national cultures.

ANTH 168

Indigenous People of Latin America 3.0 Spring

Study of the Native peoples of South America, Mexico, and Central America from European contact to the present. The course emphasizes contemporary ethnography and interaction of indigenous people with colonialism and the modern nation-state.

ANTH 171

Cultures of Asia 3.0 Fa/Spr

An introduction to the people and cultures of Asia, emphasizing India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The course employs a multimediated approach to learning. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western Course.

This course is the same as ASST 100 which may be substituted.

ANTH 173

Pacific Cultures 3.0 Inquire

Case studies of peoples of Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Analysis of origins of indigenous peoples and cultures. Discussion of traditional cultures in this ecologically diverse area.

ANTH 176

African Cultures 3.0 Inquire

Case studies of traditional and contemporary cultures south of the Sahara Desert, focusing on the use of ethnographic data for the functional and ecological analysis of changing African societies.

ANTH 180

Field Archaeology 4.0 OddFall

Archaeological survey and excavation; research aims and strategies; archaeological mapping, photography, and recording. 1.0 hour lecture, 9.0 hours supervision.

ANTH 198

Special Topics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 198A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

ANTH 199

Special Problems 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is an independent study of special problems and is offered as 199A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Credit/no credit grading only.

ANTH 205

Museum Administration 3.0 Fall

The principles of museum administration, including staffing, finances, educational programs, and ethics.

ANTH 211

Human Origins 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 011, ANTH 100, or ANTH 101.

Evolution of the human being as a biological entity and as a culture-bearing primate. Emphasis is placed upon ecological principles and problems as they relate to the fossil record.

ANTH 212

Human Variation 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 011, ANTH 100, or ANTH 101.

The nature of human biological variation and an examination of its genetic and cultural basis.

ANTH 214

Human Growth and Development 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 011, ANTH 100, or ANTH 101.

The individual from prenatal period through growth and sexual maturation to old age and death. Special emphasis upon the cross-cultural and holistic approaches to the study of people and their role in human evolution.

ANTH 215

Forensic Anthropology 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 011, ANTH 100, ANTH 101, or ANTH 111.

Anthropological principles and knowledge applied within the legal system. Topics include the history of the field, biological parameters determined from the skeleton, postmortem interval, and ethics.

ANTH 220

Origins of Early Civilization 3.0 Inquire

An examination of the data and major theories concerning the rise of civilizations, using as case studies early Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Mexico, and Peru. The significance of food production, ecology, writing, and the centralized state in the evolution of complex societies.

ANTH 221

Archaeology of North America 3.0 Inquire

The study of prehistoric North America north of Mexico. An investigation of cultural origins, development, and differentiation based on the analysis of selected archaeological complexes and traditions. Case study examples of contemporary method and theory in American archaeology.

ANTH 222

Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Peru 3.0 Inquire

A comparative study of the prehistoric cultural traditions of the Mesoamerican and Andean regions. The Aztec, Inca, Maya, and their predecessors viewed as case studies in cultural evolution in the New World.

ANTH 223

Human Behavioral Ecology 3.0 Inquire

This course serves as an introduction to the evolutionary processes influencing human behavior grounded in the paleoanthropological study of foraging peoples and an examination of cross-cultural patterns in human behavior. Emphasis will be placed on an evolutionary ecological perspective where aspects of human adaptation are viewed as the result of long-term survival strategies.

ANTH 224

California Archaeology and Prehistory 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 012 or ANTH 102, or permission of instructor.

This course provides an overview and examination of the historical development and prehistory of archaeology in California. Topics include archaeological method and theory, cultural chronologies, regional and temporal patterns in the archaeological record, important sites and their potential links to native peoples in California. Controversial issues and contributions to modern archaeology are also considered.

ANTH 225

Historical Archaeology 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 012 or ANTH 102, or permission of instructor.

This course examines the method and theory of American historical archaeology as it specifically relates to the broader study of American material culture and sociocultural experiences in North America from the period of European exploration to the recent past through archaeological and documentary evidence.

ANTH 231

Cosmos and Cosmology 3.0 Fall

Mythic narratives of stars and creators; the construction of the universe by various people in many cultures through 5000 years of time; solar and lunar calendars and their communsuration; navigation by the stars; moral imperatives known to be written in the stars; celestial coordinates; naked-eye observations: all these are considered from a variety of cultural perspectives from the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians through European megalithic builders to Meso-American and South American cultures to contemporary Native Americans. Seminar format.

ANTH 232

Anthropology of Religion 3.0 Inquire

Prerequisites: ANTH 103 or R S 200 or instructor’s permission.

This course examines the contemporary theoretical underpinnings of the anthropology of religion, considering especially performative, gendered, psychological, semiotic, and political aspects of religion in cross-cultural persepective.

This course is the same as R S 232 which may be substituted.

ANTH 235

Medical Anthropology 3.0 Inquire

Surveys the relationships among disease, curing, culture, and environment. Topics include problems of adapting modern medicines to diverse cultures; explication of the social and cultural correlates of physical and mental health and disease; nutritional implications of culture change; anthropology contributions to health-policy decisions and makers in non-Western countries.

ANTH 237

Anthropology and Development Issues 3.0 Inquire

Comparative examination of the positive and negative effects of national and international development on tribal and peasant populations around the world. Anthropological case studies are used to consider theories of development and underdevelopment and problems associated with world development.

ANTH 241

Anthropology of Power 3.0 Inquire

This course explores social control and governance in non-Western societies through a careful examination of different kinds of power: influence, authority, coercion, and prestige. These analytical categories are then employed in the investigation of selected anthropological case studies.

ANTH 243

Visual Anthropology 3.0 Inquire

The study of culture through visual means: photographs (both ground and aerial), ethnographic films and videotapes, maps and mapping. Analysis and production of materials.

ANTH 244

Material Culture Studies 3.0 Inquire

This course introduces students to material culture studies, broadly defined as the study of human-made artifacts or objects that reflect the beliefs, values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions of a particular culture or society at a given point in time. This course investigates the rich potential of things and their interpretation from an anthropological perspective.

ANTH 245

Folklore 3.0 Fall

Prerequisites: ANTH 103.

Introduction to study of folklore, with emphasis on theoretical underpinnings of discipline. Both oral and material cultural traditions will be considered, along with genres of folklore from various cultures around the world.

ANTH 251

Ethnolinguistics 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: ANTH 103.

Contemporary applications of anthropological linguistics. Variable topic, with focus on current applied problems and methodologies (e.g., language and ethnic identity; intercultural communication; gender and language; classroom communicative styles; occupational jargons; archaeolinguistics; folk taxonomies; language maintenance and shift; discourse analysis). Includes collection and analysis of relevant data.

ANTH 261

Museum Collections Management 3.0 Fall

Offers practical training in collections management techniques, including registration methods, curatorial practices, and the care, preservation, and conservation of museum specimens. 6.0 hours activity.

ANTH 265

Conservation of Archaeological 3.0 Inquire
and Ethnographic Resources

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

This course serves as an introduction to the method and theory of preserving objects for the purposes of exhibit, research, and for posterity. The course is structured in a seminar/laboratory format designed to familiarize students with the chemicals, equipment, and procedures used in treating artifacts. The course covers conservation ethics and guidelines, deterioration processes, and the conservation of organic and inorganic materials.

ANTH 278

Zooarchaeology: 3.0 Spring
Vertebrate Identification and Analysis

Prerequisites: ANTH 012 or 102.

Zooarchaeology involves the identification and interpretation of animal remains from archaeological sites. Topics covered include the nature of the archaeofaunal record, units of quantification, taphonomy, the selective utilization of animals and subsistence strategies. A variety of case studies will also be reviewed. Laboratory activity centers around the identification of archaeofaunal remains from selected locations in California. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

ANTH 279

Zooarchaeology and Field Ecology 3.0 Summer

Prerequisites: ANTH 012 or ANTH 102; permission of instructor required.

An intensive field-based introduction to identification techniques and interpretive procedures used in the analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites. Ecological principles will be explored through field observations. A laboratory component will involve the identification of vertebrate osteological remains from sites in Northern California and the Great Basin.

This course is the same as BIOL 279 which may be substituted.

ANTH 280

Advanced Field Archaeology 4.0 OddFall

Prerequisites: ANTH 180.

Advanced individual training in archaeological fieldwork, including organization of projects, supervision of field crews, use of specialized field techniques, and preliminary analysis of field data. 1.0 hour lecture, 9.0 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 281

Human Identification 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: ANTH 101.

Physical anthropological methods and techniques, such as anthropometry, dermatoglyphics, osteology, and paleopathology as applied to problems of human identification. Credit for repeating this course depends upon your taking it from a different instructor each time. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 282

Laboratory Methods in Archaeology 3.0 EvnSprg

Independent supervised training in the methods of data description, interpretation, and presentation. Methods of describing, classifying, analyzing, and illustrating archaeological finds, and the preparation of reports for publications. 6.0 hours activity.

ANTH 283

Field Methods in Ethnography 3.0 Fall

Prerequisites: ANTH 103.

This course presents theories and methods of ethnography as well as the ethics of ethnographic fieldwork. Students conduct supervised ethnographic research and present their results both orally and in written format. 6.0 hours activity.

ANTH 284

Archaeological Site Surveying 3.0 EvnFall

Methods and techniques of locating archaeological and historical cultural resources in the field. Proper site recordation by means of photographs, drawings, maps, and appropriately filled-out site survey forms for cultural resource management purposes. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 285

Formal Methods for Anthropology 3.0 Spring

A survey of selected mathematical and logical methods and models of relevance to various problems in anthropology. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of anthropological data.

ANTH 287

Heritage Resource Planning 3.0 Inquire

The social and institutional frameworks, legislative bases, procedures, and practices of prehistoric and cultural resources management taught by means of case studies of legislative documents, management studies, and environmental impact reports. The investigation of selected resources and preparation of appropriate descriptive, evaluative, and management reports.

ANTH 288A

Exhibit Research and Design 3.0 Spring

Methods and techniques for the research and design of museum displays. Visits to museums. 6.0 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 288B

Exhibit Installation 3.0 Fall

Preparation and installation of displays in the Museum of Anthropology. 6.0 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 289A

Cultural Resource Management Internship 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: faculty permission.

See description below.

ANTH 289B

Museum Studies Internship 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: faculty permission.

See description below.

ANTH 289C

Applied Cultural Anthropology Internship 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Approval of Internship Coordinator, faculty permission.

See description below.

ANTH 289D

Forensic Science Internship 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ANTH 111 and the consent of the certificate coordinator.

See description below.

ANTH 289E

Ethnographic Lab Internship 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is an internship offered as ANTH 289A-ANTH 289E:
(A) Cultural Resource Management; (B) Museum Studies;
(C) Applied Cultural; (D) Forensic Science; and (E) Ethnographic Lab. Work experience in the community or region designed for each student.

ANTH 294

Proseminar in Anthropology 3.0 Inquire

Analysis of a selected topic of current anthropological concern. Check with department for specific topic to be covered in any semester. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 295

Proseminar in Applied Anthropology 3.0 Fall

Prerequisites: ANTH 103.

Applications of sociocultural anthropology to the understanding and resolution of contemporary social problems. Seminar format.

ANTH 296

Proseminar in the History of 3.0 Fa/Spr
Theory and Method in Anthropology

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; ANTH 103.

Investigation of the history of the development of theory and method in anthropological thought and practice from the nineteenth century to the present. Seminar format. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

ANTH 296H

Proseminar in the History of 3.0 Fall
Theory and Methods in Anthropology-Honors

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; ANTH 103, acceptance into the Honors Program.

This investigation of the method and theory of anthropological thought of the last century is directed to individual research interests and problem development for the honors thesis. Seminar format. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

ANTH 297

Anthropology Forum 1.0 Fa/Spr

Examines current developments in theory and research in the entire field of anthropology through a series of presentations by a wide variety of individuals who are actively involved at the frontiers of anthropological knowledge. Credit/no credit grading only. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 298

Special Topics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered as 298A-C for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

ANTH 299H

Honors in Anthropology 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: ANTH 296H and faculty permission.

Independent study resulting in a piece of scholarly or creative work involving substantial research to be completed and publicly presented. The course must be taken during the second semester of your senior year, subsequent to successful completion of ANTH 296H. This course is not available to graduate students.

ANTH 300

Core Seminar in Anthropology 3.0 Fall

A critical examination of the basic foundation literature in the subdisciplines of anthropology.

ANTH 301

Seminar in Physical Anthropology 3.0 Fall

A critical examination of selected theories and methods in physical anthropology, and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in physical anthropology. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 302

Seminar in Archaeology 3.0 Spring

A critical examination of selected theories and methods in archaeology, and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in archaeology. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 303

Seminar in Cultural Anthropology 3.0 Spring

A critical examination of selected theories and methods in cultural anthropology, and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in cultural anthropology. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 305

Seminar in Museum Studies 3.0 Inquire

A critical examination of selected theories and methods in museology and/or the generation of new theories and methods pertinent to selected problems in the museum field. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

ANTH 389A

Internship Exhibit Research and Design 3.0 Fa/Spr