Department of Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Anthropology and minors in Anthropology, Archaeological Practice, and American Indian Studies. Department Honors may also be earned in Anthropology.
Department Honors
The Department of Anthropology awards Department Honors to certain outstanding students and provides the opportunity for advanced study under close faculty supervision.
Selection of students for honors designation is based on the student’s academic performance and recommendation by the faculty in the student’s major discipline. To be eligible for the program, students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 at UTSA and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in their major at UTSA. The minimum grade point averages must be maintained for students to receive the approval of the Department Honors Committee and the discipline faculty. Students applying for Department Honors usually enroll in the appropriate honors thesis courses during their final two semesters, although other arrangements are possible with the approval of the faculty advisor. The completed thesis must be approved by the supervising faculty sponsor and another departmental faculty member.
Students interested in this program should contact their faculty advisors for additional information.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree, including Core Curriculum requirements, is 120. Thirty-nine of the total semester credit hours required for the degree must be at the upper-division level.
All candidates for this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements and the degree requirements, which are listed below.
As part of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts Signature Experience, which seeks to offer students opportunities to apply ideas and knowledge in real-world settings, the Department of Anthropology encourages students to take advantage of internships, independent studies, study abroad, research opportunities, and service learning as part of their undergraduate program of study. Internships are arranged through the Undergraduate Advisor of Record and are designed to provide students with experiences at a wide variety of institutions in the region, including the Department’s Center for Archaeological Research and the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. Independent studies are arranged in consultation with Anthropology faculty and may include research on areas not normally covered by organized coursework, work associated with a professor’s research, or a student’s independent research project. Faculty-led and other study abroad opportunities are organized by the Education Abroad Services office. Service learning is offered through the UTSA Student Activities Office and focuses on activities designed around civic engagements that address or meet community needs.
Students seeking the B.A. degree in Anthropology must complete the COLFA Second Language Experience. General requirements are listed on the College of Liberal and Fine Arts page of this Undergraduate Catalog. B.A. in Anthropology students may also fulfill the requirement by:
- Completing the first three semesters of a second language or equivalent plus ANT 2063 Language, Thought, and Culture.
Core Curriculum Requirements (42 semester credit hours)
Students seeking the B.A. degree in Anthropology must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. The courses listed below satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements; however, if these courses are taken to satisfy both requirements, then students may need to take additional courses in order to meet the minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree.
ANT 2033 may be used to help satisfy the Life and Physical Sciences component requirement. ANT 2043 or ANT 2053 will satisfy the Social and Behavioral Sciences component requirement. ANT 2063 may be used to satisfy the Language, Philosophy, and Culture component requirement. ANT 1013 is an elective course for the major in anthropology; it also will satisfy the Component Area Option of the Core Curriculum.
For a complete listing of courses that satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements, see Core Curriculum Component Area Requirements.
Core Curriculum Component Area Requirements
First Year Experience Requirement (3 semester credit hours)
All students must complete one of the following courses, for a total of 3 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AIS 1203 | Academic Introduction and Strategies (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1213 | AIS: Architecture, Construction, and Planning (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1223 | AIS: Arts and Humanities (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1233 | AIS: Business (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1243 | AIS: Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1253 | AIS: Interdisciplinary Education (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1263 | AIS: Life and Health Sciences (core component area 090) | 3 |
| AIS 1273 | AIS: Social Sciences and Public Policy (core component area 090) | 3 |
Communication (6 semester credit hours)
Students must complete the following courses, for a total of 6 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WRC 1013 | Freshman Composition I (TCCN: ENGL 1301) | 3 |
| WRC 1023 | Freshman Composition II (TCCN: ENGL 1302) | 3 |
Mathematics (3 semester credit hours)
Students must complete one of the following courses, for a total of 3 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 1173 | Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| MAT 1023 | College Algebra with Applications (TCCN: MATH 1314) | 3 |
| MAT 1043 | Quantitative Reasoning (TCCN: MATH 1332) | 3 |
| MAT 1053 | Mathematics for Business (TCCN: MATH 1324) | 3 |
| MAT 1073 | Algebra for Scientists and Engineers (TCCN: MATH 1314) | 3 |
| MAT 1093 | Precalculus (TCCN: MATH 2312) | 3 |
| MAT 1133 | Calculus for Business (TCCN: MATH 1325) | 3 |
| MAT 1193 | Calculus for the Biosciences (TCCN: MATH 2313) | 3 |
| MAT 1213 | Calculus I (TCCN: MATH 2313) | 3 |
| STA 1053 | Basic Statistics (TCCN: MATH 1342) | 3 |
Life and Physical Sciences (6 semester credit hours)
Students must complete two of the following courses for a total of 6 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 2033 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology (TCCN: ANTH 2301) | 3 |
| AST 1013 | Introduction to Astronomy (TCCN: ASTR 1303) | 3 |
| AST 1033 | Exploration of the Solar System (TCCN: ASTR 1304) | 3 |
| BIO 1203 | Biosciences I for Science Majors (TCCN: BIOL 1306) | 3 |
| BIO 1223 | Biosciences II for Science Majors (TCCN: BIOL 1307) | 3 |
| BIO 1233 | Contemporary Biology I (TCCN: BIOL 1308) | 3 |
| BIO 1243 | Contemporary Biology II (TCCN: BIOL 1309) | 3 |
| CHE 1083 | Introduction to the Molecular Structure of Matter | 3 |
| CHE 1093 | Introduction to Molecular Transformations | 3 |
| ES 1113 | Environmental Botany (TCCN: BIOL 1311) | 3 |
| ES 1123 | Environmental Zoology (TCCN: BIOL 1313) | 3 |
| ES 1213 | Environmental Geology (TCCN: GEOL 1305) | 3 |
| ES 2013 | Introduction to Environmental Science I (TCCN: ENVR 1301) | 3 |
| ES 2023 | Introduction to Environmental Science II (TCCN: ENVR 1302) | 3 |
| GEO 1013 | The Third Planet (TCCN: GEOL 1301) | 3 |
| GEO 1033 | Geology of North American National Parks (TCCN: GEOL 1302) | 3 |
| GEO 1123 | Life Through Time (TCCN: GEOL 1304) | 3 |
| GES 2613 | Intro to Physical Geography (TCCN: GEOG 1301) | 3 |
| NDT 2043 | Introduction to Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| PHY 1943 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (TCCN: PHYS 2325) | 3 |
| PHY 1963 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (TCCN: PHYS 2326) | 3 |
Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 semester credit hours)
Students must complete one of the following courses, for a total of 3 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AAS 2013 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| AAS 2113 | African American Culture, Leadership and Social Issues | 3 |
| ANT 2063 | Language, Thought, and Culture | 3 |
| ARC 1113 | Introduction to the Built Environment (TCCN: ARCH 1311) | 3 |
| ARC 2423 | Global History of Architecture and Urbanism: Renaissance to 19th Century (TCCN: ARCH 1302) | 3 |
| CHN 1014 | Elementary Chinese I (TCCN: CHIN 1411) | 4 |
| CLA 2013 | Introduction to Ancient Greece | 3 |
| CLA 2023 | Introduction to Ancient Rome | 3 |
| CLA 2323 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
| COM 2313 | Introduction to Media Studies | 3 |
| CSH 1103 | Literary Masterpieces of Western Culture I (TCCN: ENGL 2332) | 3 |
| CSH 1113 | Literary Masterpieces of Western Culture II (TCCN: ENGL 2333) | 3 |
| CSH 1213 | Topics in World Cultures (TCCN: HUMA 2323) | 3 |
| CSH 2113 | The Foreign Film | 3 |
| ENG 2013 | Introduction to Literature (TCCN: ENGL 2341) | 3 |
| ENG 2023 | Literature and Film | 3 |
| ENG 2213 | Literary Criticism and Analysis | 3 |
| ENG 2383 | Multiethnic Literatures of the United States | 3 |
| ENG 2423 | Literature of Texas and the Southwest | 3 |
| ENG 2443 | Persuasion and Rhetoric | 3 |
| FRN 1014 | Elementary French I (TCCN: FREN 1411) | 4 |
| FRN 2333 | French Literature in English Translation | 3 |
| GER 1014 | Elementary German I (TCCN: GERM 1411) | 4 |
| GER 2333 | German Literature in English Translation | 3 |
| GES 1023 | World Regions and Global Change (TCCN: GEOG 1303) | 3 |
| GLA 1013 | US in Global Context | 3 |
| GRK 1114 | Introductory Classical Greek I | 4 |
| HIS 2123 | Introduction to World Civilization to the Fifteenth Century (TCCN: HIST 2321) | 3 |
| HIS 2133 | Introduction to World Civilization since the Fifteenth Century (TCCN: HIST 2322) | 3 |
| HIS 2533 | Introduction to Latin American Civilization | 3 |
| HIS 2543 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
| HIS 2553 | Introduction to East Asian Civilization | 3 |
| HIS 2573 | Introduction to African Civilization | 3 |
| HIS 2583 | Introduction to South Asian Civilization | 3 |
| HUM 2093 | World Religions (TCCN: PHIL 1304) | 3 |
| ITL 1014 | Elementary Italian I (TCCN: ITAL 1411) | 4 |
| ITL 2333 | Italian Literature in English Translation | 3 |
| JPN 1014 | Elementary Japanese I (TCCN: JAPN 1411) | 4 |
| LAT 1114 | Introductory Latin I (TCCN: LATI 1411) | 4 |
| MAS 2013 | Introduction to Chicana/x/o Studies (TCCN: HUMA 1305) | 3 |
| PHI 1043 | Critical Thinking (TCCN: PHIL 2303) | 3 |
| PHI 2013 | Basic Philosophical Problems (TCCN: PHIL 1301) | 3 |
| PHI 2023 | Introduction to Ancient Philosophy (TCCN: PHIL 2316) | 3 |
| PHI 2033 | Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 2093 | Philosophy of The Americas | 3 |
| PHI 2123 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 3 |
| RUS 1014 | Elementary Russian I (TCCN: RUSS 1411) | 4 |
| RUS 2333 | Russian Literature in English Translation | 3 |
| SPN 1014 | Elementary Spanish I (TCCN: SPAN 1411) | 4 |
| SPN 2333 | Hispanic Literature in English Translation | 3 |
| WGSS 2013 | Introduction to Women’s Studies | 3 |
| WGSS 2023 | Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | 3 |
Creative Arts (3 semester credit hours)
Students must complete one of the following courses, for a total of 3 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AHC 1113 | Art History: Prehistory-1350 (TCCN: ARTS 1303) | 3 |
| AHC 1123 | Art History: 1350-Present (TCCN: ARTS 1304) | 3 |
| ARC 1513 | Great Buildings and Cities of the World | 3 |
| ARC 2413 | Global History of Architecture and Urbanism: Prehistory to Medieval (TCCN: ARCH 1301) | 3 |
| ART 1103 | Introduction to Visual Arts (TCCN: ARTS 1301) | 3 |
| ART 1113 | Image Culture | 3 |
| BBL 2023 | Latino Cultural Expressions (TCCN: HUMA 1311) | 3 |
| CLA 2033 | Introduction to Classical Literature | 3 |
| DAN 2003 | Introduction to Dance (TCCN: DANC 2303) | 3 |
| HUM 2023 | Introduction to the Humanities I (TCCN: HUMA 1301) | 3 |
| HUM 2033 | Introduction to the Humanities II (TCCN: HUMA 1302) | 3 |
| HUM 2053 | History of Film (TCCN: HUMA 1315) | 3 |
| MAS 2023 | Latina/x/o Cultural Expressions (TCCN: HUMA 1311) | 3 |
| MUS 2243 | World Music in Society | 3 |
| MUS 2633 | American Roots Music (TCCN: MUSI 1310) | 3 |
| MUS 2653 | Music in Culture | 3 |
| MUS 2663 | History and Styles of Jazz (TCCN: MUSI 1310) | 3 |
| MUS 2673 | History and Styles of Popular Music (TCCN: MUSI 1310) | 3 |
| MUS 2683 | History and Styles of Western Art Music (TCCN: MUSI 1306) | 3 |
| MUS 2713 | History of Recorded Music | 3 |
| MUS 2733 | History of the American Musical Theater | 3 |
| MUS 2743 | Music and Film | 3 |
| PHI 2073 | Philosophy of Art | 3 |
American History (6 semester credit hours)
Students must complete two of the following courses, for a total of 6 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIS 1043 | United States History: Pre-Columbus to Civil War Era (TCCN: HIST 1301) | 3 |
| HIS 1053 | United States History: Civil War Era to Present (TCCN: HIST 1302) | 3 |
| HIS 2053 | Texas History (TCCN: HIST 2301) | 3 |
Government-Political Science (6 semester credit hours)
Students must complete two of the following courses, for a total of 6 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POL 1013 | Introduction to American Politics (TCCN: GOVT 2305) | 3 |
| and one of the following two courses: | ||
| POL 1133 | Texas Politics and Society (TCCN: GOVT 2306) | 3 |
| POL 1213 | Civil Rights in Texas and America (TCCN: GOVT 2306) | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 semester credit hours)
Students must complete one of the following courses, for a total of 3 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 2043 | Approaches to American Culture | 3 |
| ANT 1013 | Introduction to Anthropology (TCCN: ANTH 2346) | 3 |
| ANT 2043 | Introduction to Archaeology (TCCN: ANTH 2302) | 3 |
| ANT 2053 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (TCCN: ANTH 2351) | 3 |
| BBL 2003 | Language, Culture, and Society (TCCN: ANTH 2351) | 3 |
| BBL 2243 | Bilingual Families, Communities, and Schools: National and Transnational Experiences (TCCN: ANTH 2351) | 3 |
| CRJ 1113 | The American Criminal Justice System (TCCN: CRIJ 1301) | 3 |
| ECO 2003 | Economic Principles and Issues (TCCN: ECON 1301) | 3 |
| ECO 2023 | Introductory Microeconomics (TCCN: ECON 2302) | 3 |
| EGR 1343 | The Impact of Modern Technologies on Society | 3 |
| ES 1003 | Survey Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| GES 1013 | Fundamentals of Geography | 3 |
| GES 2623 | Human Geography: People, Place, Culture (TCCN: GEOG 1302) | 3 |
| HTH 2413 | Introduction to Community and Public Health | 3 |
| HTH 2513 | Personal Health (TCCN: PHED 1304) | 3 |
| IDS 2113 | Society and Social Issues | 3 |
| KIN 2123 | Exercise as Medicine (TCCN: KINE 1338) | 3 |
| NDRB 1033 | Drugs and Society (TCCN: PHED 1346) | 3 |
| PSY 1013 | Introduction to Psychology (TCCN: PSYC 2301) | 3 |
| REGS 2003 | Intersectional Approaches to Social Justice | 3 |
| SOC 1013 | Introduction to Sociology (TCCN: SOCI 1301) | 3 |
| SOC 2013 | Social Problems (TCCN: SOCI 1306) | 3 |
| SOC 2023 | Social Context of Drug Use (TCCN: SOCI 2340) | 3 |
| SWK 1013 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
Component Area Option (CAO) (3 semester credit hours)
Students must complete either one of the following courses or any additional Core Curriculum course not previously used to satisfy a core component area requirement, for a total of 3 semester credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COM 2113 | Public Speaking (core component area 091, TCCN: SPCH 1315) | 3 |
| EGR 1403 | Technical Communication (core component area 091) | 3 |
| ENG 2413 | Technical Writing (core component area 091, TCCN: ENGL 2311) | 3 |
| PAD 1113 | Public Administration and Policy in American Society (core component area 097) | 3 |
| PHI 2043 | Introductory Logic (core component area 092, TCCN: PHIL 2303) | 3 |
Core Curriculum Component Area Requirements
| First Year Experience Requirement | 3 | |
| Communication | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 6 | |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture | 3 | |
| Creative Arts | 3 | |
| American History | 6 | |
| Government-Political Science | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Component Area Option | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 42 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A. 36 semester credit hours in the major, 21 of which must be at the upper-division level | ||
| 1. Required courses: | 15 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
or ANT 1513 | Anthropology Matters | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Language, Thought, and Culture | ||
| 2. Select 9 upper-division semester credit hours. Students must take at least one upper-division class from each of the three subfields. These may include courses from the following lists: | ||
| Archaeology | 3 | |
| Great Discoveries in Archaeology | ||
| Human Ecology Across the Ages | ||
| Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries | ||
| Archaeology of South America | ||
| Archaeology of North America | ||
| Civilizations of Mexico | ||
| Research Methods in Archaeology | ||
| Field Course in Archaeology | ||
| Field Course in Archaeology | ||
| Public Archaeology | ||
| Museum Studies in Anthropology | ||
| Digital Archaeology | ||
| Hunters and Gatherers - Past and Present | ||
| Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Americas | ||
| Anthropology of Material Culture | ||
| Zombies, Monsters, Ghosts: Living with the Undead | ||
| Archaeologies of Death | ||
| Food, Drink, and Drugs: Consumption in the Ancient World | ||
| Maya Civilization | ||
| Histories of Anthropology | ||
| Archaeology of Texas | ||
| Archaeology of the American Southwest | ||
| The Urban Environment | ||
| Politics of the Past | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| Anthropology of Care | ||
| Ritual and Symbol | ||
| Indians of the Great Plains | ||
| Native North Americans | ||
| Anthropology and the Environment | ||
| Nature and Culture in Greater Amazonia | ||
| Curing and Killing: The Anthropology of Shamanism | ||
| Pacific Island Societies and Cultures | ||
| Folklore and Folklife | ||
| Anthropology of Frontiers and Borderlands | ||
| The Ethnographic Experience | ||
| The Anthropology of Climate Change | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Anthropology of Complementary and Alternative Medicine | ||
| Sex, Gender, and Culture | ||
| Political and Legal Anthropology | ||
| Media, Power, and Public Culture | ||
| Applied Anthropology | ||
| Food, Culture, and Society | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Anthropology of Superheroes | ||
| Witchcraft and Magic: Anthropological Perspectives | ||
| Ethnographic Film | ||
| The Anthropology of Oil | ||
| Plants, Animals, Humans, Oh My!: Thinking Beyond the Human | ||
| Anthropology of Age and Aging | ||
| Field Research Methods in Environmental Anthropology | ||
| Biological Anthropology | 3 | |
| Human Adaptability | ||
| Anthropocene: Age of Extinction | ||
| Human Origins | ||
| The Human Skeleton | ||
| Primates of the World | ||
| Modern Ape Behavior, Ecology, and Cognition | ||
| The Evolution of Human Nature | ||
| Primate Behavior and Ecology | ||
| The Evolution of Sex | ||
| Primate Conservation | ||
| Primate Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Genes, Health, and Ancestry | ||
| 3. Select 12 additional semester credit hours of anthropology electives chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, which must be upper division. | 12 | |
| B. 42 semester credit hours of electives | ||
| In fulfillment of this requirement, students are encouraged to take at least 9 semester credit hours of upper-division coursework in disciplines that support the study of anthropology. | 42 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 78 | |
Course Sequence Guide for B.A. Degree in Anthropology
This course sequence guide is designed to assist students in completing their UTSA undergraduate Anthropology degree requirements. This is merely a guide, and students must satisfy other requirements of this catalog and meet with their academic advisor for individualized degree plans. Progress toward the degree depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation, student time management, work obligations, and individual financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during Summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.
B.A. in Anthropology – Four-Year Academic Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| AIS 1273 | AIS: Social Sciences and Public Policy | 3 |
| ANT 1513 | Anthropology Matters | 3 |
| HIS 1043 | United States History: Pre-Columbus to Civil War Era (core) or United States History: Civil War Era to Present or Texas History | 3 |
| WRC 1013 | Freshman Composition I (core) | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences (core) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANT 2043 | Introduction to Archaeology (core and major) | 3 |
| HIS 1043 | United States History: Pre-Columbus to Civil War Era (core) or United States History: Civil War Era to Present or Texas History | 3 |
| WRC 1023 | Freshman Composition II (core) | 3 |
| Creative Arts (core) | 3 | |
| Mathematics (core) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ANT 2033 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology (core and major) | 3 |
| ANT 2053 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| POL 1013 | Introduction to American Politics (core) | 3 |
| Component Area Option (core) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Archaeology course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANT 2063 | Language, Thought, and Culture (core and major) | 3 |
| POL 1133 or POL 1213 | Texas Politics and Society (core) or Civil Rights in Texas and America | 3 |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Cultural Anthropology course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division ANT elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Biological Anthropology course | 3 | |
| Upper-division free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division support work | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper-division ANT elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division ANT elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division support work | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division ANT elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division ANT elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division support work | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division ANT elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division free elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division free elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Minor in Anthropology
All students pursuing a Minor in Anthropology must complete 18 semester credit hours.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A. Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Language, Thought, and Culture | ||
| B. Select 9 upper-division semester credit hours. Students must take at least one upper-division class from each of the three subfields. These may include courses from the following lists: | ||
| Archaeology | 3 | |
| Great Discoveries in Archaeology | ||
| Human Ecology Across the Ages | ||
| Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries | ||
| Archaeology of South America | ||
| Archaeology of North America | ||
| Civilizations of Mexico | ||
| Research Methods in Archaeology | ||
| Field Course in Archaeology | ||
| Field Course in Archaeology | ||
| Public Archaeology | ||
| Museum Studies in Anthropology | ||
| Digital Archaeology | ||
| Hunters and Gatherers - Past and Present | ||
| Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Americas | ||
| Anthropology of Material Culture | ||
| Zombies, Monsters, Ghosts: Living with the Undead | ||
| Archaeologies of Death | ||
| Food, Drink, and Drugs: Consumption in the Ancient World | ||
| Maya Civilization | ||
| Histories of Anthropology | ||
| Archaeology of Texas | ||
| Archaeology of the American Southwest | ||
| The Urban Environment | ||
| Politics of the Past | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| Anthropology of Care | ||
| Ritual and Symbol | ||
| Indians of the Great Plains | ||
| Native North Americans | ||
| Anthropology and the Environment | ||
| Nature and Culture in Greater Amazonia | ||
| Curing and Killing: The Anthropology of Shamanism | ||
| Pacific Island Societies and Cultures | ||
| Folklore and Folklife | ||
| Anthropology of Frontiers and Borderlands | ||
| The Ethnographic Experience | ||
| The Anthropology of Climate Change | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Anthropology of Complementary and Alternative Medicine | ||
| Sex, Gender, and Culture | ||
| Political and Legal Anthropology | ||
| Media, Power, and Public Culture | ||
| Applied Anthropology | ||
| Food, Culture, and Society | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Anthropology of Superheroes | ||
| Witchcraft and Magic: Anthropological Perspectives | ||
| Ethnographic Film | ||
| The Anthropology of Oil | ||
| Plants, Animals, Humans, Oh My!: Thinking Beyond the Human | ||
| Anthropology of Age and Aging | ||
| Field Research Methods in Environmental Anthropology | ||
| Biological Anthropology | 3 | |
| Human Adaptability | ||
| Anthropocene: Age of Extinction | ||
| Human Origins | ||
| The Human Skeleton | ||
| Primates of the World | ||
| Modern Ape Behavior, Ecology, and Cognition | ||
| The Evolution of Human Nature | ||
| Primate Behavior and Ecology | ||
| The Evolution of Sex | ||
| Primate Conservation | ||
| Primate Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Genes, Health, and Ancestry | ||
| C. Select 3 additional upper-division semester credit hours in anthropology chosen in consultation with the student's advisor. | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
To declare a Minor in Anthropology, obtain advice, obtain a list of current relevant courses, or seek approval of substitutions for course requirements, students should consult their academic advisor.
Minor in American Indian Studies
All students pursuing a Minor in American Indian Studies must complete 18 semester credit hours, at least 9 semester credit hours of which must be drawn from outside the student’s major. Hours are selected from the following:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AHC 4423 | Arts of Ancient Mesoamerica | 3 |
| ANT 3153 | Indians of the Great Plains | 3 |
| ANT 3203 | Native North Americans | 3 |
| ANT 3253 | Archaeology of South America | 3 |
| ANT 3263 | Archaeology of North America | 3 |
| ANT 3273 | Civilizations of Mexico | 3 |
| ANT 3303 | Nature and Culture in Greater Amazonia | 3 |
| ANT 4113 | Archaeology of Texas | 3 |
| ANT 4123 | Archaeology of the American Southwest | 3 |
| HIS 3083 | History of the American West | 3 |
| HIS 3113 | North American Indian Histories | 3 |
| HIS 3403 | Pre-Hispanic and Colonial Latin America | 3 |
To declare a Minor in American Indian Studies, obtain advice, obtain lists of relevant courses, or seek approval of substitutions for course requirements, students should consult their academic advisor.
Minor in Archaeological Practice
The Minor in Archaeological Practice provides focused training in archaeology, particularly the methods and skills needed to carry out archaeological fieldwork.
All students pursuing a Minor in Archaeological Practice must complete 18 semester credit hours, distributed as below. Courses must be distributed across at least two departments.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A. Required introductory course: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| B. Required methods-intensive, hands-on learning experience. Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Field Course in Archaeology | ||
| Field Course in Archaeology | ||
| Independent Study (if it involves working directly with archaeological materials) | ||
| Internship in Anthropology (if it involves working directly with archaeological materials) | ||
| Independent Study (if it involves working directly with archaeological materials) | ||
| C. Elective courses with an archaeology focus. Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Great Discoveries in Archaeology | ||
| Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries | ||
| Archaeology of South America | ||
| Archaeology of North America | ||
| Civilizations of Mexico | ||
| Research Methods in Archaeology | ||
| Public Archaeology | ||
| Digital Archaeology | ||
| Hunters and Gatherers - Past and Present | ||
| Anthropology of Material Culture | ||
| Death and Dying (when content is focused on archaeology) | ||
| Maya Civilization | ||
| Archaeology of Texas | ||
| Archaeology of the American Southwest | ||
| Politics of the Past | ||
| Special Studies in Anthropology (when content is focused on archaeology) | ||
| Ancient Mediterranean Art and Archaeology (when content is focused on archaeology) | ||
| Special Studies in Classics (when content is focused on archaeology) | ||
| Senior Seminar in Classics (when content is focused on archaeology) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
To declare a Minor in Archaeological Practice, obtain advice, or seek approval of substitutions for course requirements, students should consult their academic advisor. Archaeological field schools administered by other universities may be used to fulfill the methods requirement in Section B, but students should obtain pre-approval from the department before signing up for outside field schools.
Anthropology (ANT) Courses
ANT 1013. Introduction to Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2346)
Course content spans the study of human culture, past and present; its origins, development, and contemporary change; and the exploration of human physical and cultural differences using the paradigm of adaptation. This course fulfills all required learning objectives for the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the core curriculum. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 1513. Anthropology Matters. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course will showcase the strategic value of the anthropology baccalaureate degree across a range of possible career paths. You will learn about people who have used their training to launch careers in public health, human rights activism, conservation, forensic investigation, heritage management, genetics, non-human primate research and care taking, product design, museum curation, and other fields. Take this class to 1) explore your interests in anthropology, 2) design a plan of course work and internships tailored to your goals, and 3) discover what anthropology can do for you. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 2033. Introduction to Biological Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2301)
A comprehensive evaluation of human biological diversity and its origins. Topics include anatomy, genetics, primate biology, and the human fossil record. Students will gain critical understanding of key theoretical and methodological issues in this anthropological sub-discipline. This course fulfills all required learning objectives for the Life and Physical Sciences component of the core curriculum. (Formerly titled "Introduction to Physical Anthropology.") Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 2043. Introduction to Archaeology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2302)
This course presents archaeological approaches to understanding human cultures of the past. Students receive instruction in general anthropological concepts and specific archaeological methods and theories. Particular case studies are presented to illustrate several aspects of archaeological practice, and to show how archaeologists develop their understandings of cultural variation and change. The course fulfills all required learning objectives for the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the core curriculum. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 2053. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2351)
This course offers students the opportunity to examine cross-cultural variation in contemporary societies around the world in an anthropological context. It emphasizes ethnographic descriptions to highlight cultural variability in economics, social structures, and ideologies. The course fulfills all required learning objectives for the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the core curriculum. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 2063. Language, Thought, and Culture. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course surveys anthropological approaches to the cross-cultural study of language, emphasizing linkages among language, expressive culture, systems of belief and value, and the production of cultural meaning. The effects of social context upon speech are examined, as are relations of inequality and power that shape linguistic interaction. Instruction is also given in the fundamentals of descriptive linguistics. The course fulfills all required learning objectives for the Language, Philosophy, and Culture component of the core curriculum.
Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: LRC1 $12; LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 2113. Anthropology Goes to the Movies. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the representation of core anthropological themes, such as human and cultural evolution, cultural representation, and archaeological discovery, through popular film. It looks at how anthropological content and theory shape popular film and how popular film shapes attitudes about anthropology. This course may be repeated for credit if taught by a different instructor.
Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3023. Great Discoveries in Archaeology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course surveys some of the greatest discoveries made by archaeologists in the last 300 years. Specific archaeological sites and finds illustrate the process of archaeological interpretation, provide insight into past cultures, and help to show how the past influences the present.
Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3033. Anthropology of Care. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
What is “care”? In this course, we will critically examine this question from the perspective of sociocultural and medical anthropology. We will engage with dominant theories of what care is and put those theories into conversation with case studies from contemporary communities all over the world. We will discuss how care is shaped by both local and global meanings and structures of power. This course is ideal for anyone considering going into a caring profession (e.g., pre-med), as it will provide you with a well-informed, critical perspective on care and its role in broader social processes. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3133. Ritual and Symbol. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended.
An examination of rituals—highly stereotyped, stylized, and repetitive acts usually taking place in carefully selected locations and marked by use of material items. Students will be offered a cross-cultural examination of ritual activity from various cultural regions. Attention is also given to the theoretical frames that contribute to a holistic understanding of ritual practice. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3153. Indians of the Great Plains. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended.
An examination of the fundamental cultural transformation and flourishing of Native American societies of the Great Plains following the introduction of the horse. Attention is also given to the subsequent retrenchment under the imposition of Anglo-American dominance, and the recent emergence of new forms of cultural expression within tribal and urban areas. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3203. Native North Americans. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. Survey of Native North American cultures from ancient times to the present. Emphasis will be placed on cultural responses to colonialism and European/American intrusion, as well as contemporary issues confronting native North Americans in the present day. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3213. Human Ecology Across the Ages. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Human ecology is the study of how humans interact with their environments by extracting resources to support people and their infrastructure. In this class we will study how human ecology has evolved and diversified over time, from the behavior of our hominid ancestors, the evolution of hunter-gatherer societies, and the emergence of agriculture, to the development of cities and space stations. Take this class if you are interested in understanding the long-term causes and consequences of the role humans play on planet Earth and what the future may look like.
Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3223. Anthropology and the Environment. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. Human adaptation to the environment and interaction with it, comparing simple and complex societies in various environmental contexts. (Formerly titled "Cultural Ecology.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3233. Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course will critically examine pseudoscience, cult archaeology, and creationism from a scientific perspective. The careful assessment of particular case studies will demonstrate how a strong adherence to professional archaeological methods can uncover facts about the past that are as interesting as myth. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3253. Archaeology of South America. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended.
The origins and development of the native cultures of South America, and their relationships to the cultural areas of Central America and the Caribbean. Emphasis on the variety of cultural forms and cultural evolution. The roles of demography, subsistence systems, militarism, religion, and other factors in the rise of South American cultures may be discussed. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3263. Archaeology of North America. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended.
Survey of prehistoric cultures in North America from earliest times to historic contact. May include discussion of Ice Age mammoth hunters, Eastern mound-building cultures, Southwestern pueblo cultures, and Plains bison hunters. Chronology, sites, settlement and subsistence patterns, and recent research issues may be considered. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3273. Civilizations of Mexico. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended. Examination of the development of the ancient civilizations of Mexico and Central America: Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec, Aztec, and Zapotec, among others. Insights will be drawn from archaeological data, art, hieroglyphic writing, ethnohistoric accounts, and Colonial Period documents. (Formerly titled "Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3293. Research Methods in Archaeology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2043 or ANT 2053 recommended. Focuses on the study, analysis, and interpretation of material culture in archaeological research. Provides hands-on experience using methods and techniques that archaeologists use to study ceramics, lithics, and other types of artifacts and ecofacts. It also provides an overview of data analysis and archaeological report preparation. (Formerly titled "Analytical Methods in Anthropology.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3303. Nature and Culture in Greater Amazonia. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended.
This course examines the historical and contemporary situations of the indigenous peoples of lowland South America, focusing specifically on the Amazon Basin. Consideration will be given to classical ethnographic monographs as well as accounts of the political and ecological challenges that currently face the inhabitants of Greater Amazonia. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3313. Curing and Killing: The Anthropology of Shamanism. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
In this course, we will analyze the practice of shamanism globally with a specific focus on Amazonia. Class materials will include ethnographic case studies, focused articles, and documentary films. The course will examine how peoples in shamanic cultures conceptualize and experience illness, how they diagnose the ailments that afflict them, and how they use shamanic curing to return to a state of health. We will also discuss the psychopharmacology of plants used in shamanism, the roles of shamans in political movements, and how contemporary non-indigenous people in North America and Europe have incorporated shamanic practices, instruments, and hallucinogens into their spiritual traditions. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3333. Human Adaptability. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2033 recommended. Examines the biological variability of living populations; includes genetics, anatomy, demography, and change within a physical anthropology framework. (Formerly titled "Physical Anthropology of Human Populations.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3343. Pacific Island Societies and Cultures. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. This course examines the geography, prehistory, colonial contact, and contemporary society in the Pacific Islands. Drawing on case studies from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea, emphasis is placed on ethnography and the contribution of the area to anthropological thought. (Formerly titled "The Contemporary Pacific.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3383. Folklore and Folklife. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended.
Examines vernacular arts, crafts, and customs and their function in the maintenance of group identity. National, regional, ethnic, and occupational traditions are investigated. Attention is given to texts such as legends, myths, and ballads, as well as folk performance, clothing, architecture, and foodways. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3393. Anthropology of Frontiers and Borderlands. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course asks the questions: what are frontiers and borderlands? How do they matter in our understanding of belonging and being human across time and space? We will use ethnographic and/or archaeological texts to consider how geopolitical, linguistic, and other cultural frontiers and borderlands shape what it means to belong and to be human. This course may be repeated for credit if taught by a different instructor. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3403. Field Course in Archaeology. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Offers the opportunity to gain intensive training in archaeological field methods: excavation, site survey, mapping, sampling, and interpretation. Additional fees are required. May be repeated for credit with advisor's permission, but not more than 6 semester credit hours may be applied to a major in Anthropology. Generally offered: Summer. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3406. Field Course in Archaeology. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Offers the opportunity to gain intensive training in archaeological field methods: excavation, site survey, mapping, sampling, and interpretation. Additional fees are required. May be repeated for credit with advisor's permission, but not more than 6 semester credit hours may be applied to a major in Anthropology. Generally offered: Summer. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $36.96.
ANT 3413. The Ethnographic Experience. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Drawing upon the ethnographic experiences of current and historical anthropologists, this course explores field research in cultural anthropology. Ethnographic methods and techniques are discussed, with emphasis on theoretical and ethical considerations. Students may engage in short-term ethnographic projects. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3443. Anthropocene: Age of Extinction. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Many species are threatened by extinction or have already gone extinct during recent times. This is sometimes referred to as the Anthropocene mass extinction. This course will focus on this controversial topic by exploring patterns of mass extinctions, defining what the Anthropocene is, describing current extinction trends, and discussing solutions for bringing species back from the brink of extinction.
Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3453. Public Archaeology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2043.
Most archaeologists do not work in universities—they work in government agencies, private firms, NGOs, and museums. This course prepares students for careers in archaeology by discussing these different career paths. It provides concrete skills such as research design, fieldwork planning, budgeting, report writing, public outreach, community engagement, and/or economic impact assessment. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3463. The Anthropology of Climate Change. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. This course considers climate change as an ecological, social, and political force that powerfully shapes human lives. It examines ethnographic and scientific approaches to both the causes and consequences of climate change. Topics include environmental justice, food security, climate refugees, species loss and diversity, race and inequality, public policy, vulnerability, capitalism, and colonialism.
ANT 3503. Human Origins. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2033 recommended.
The fossil record of human emergence and comparative studies of human evolution. Evolution of social organization, technology, and language development to the end of the Ice Age. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3513. The Human Skeleton. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2033 recommended.
Students are given the opportunity to develop skills in the study and analysis of human osteological remains. Applications of skeletal analysis in a variety of fields are considered, including physical anthropology and archaeological demography. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3523. Medical Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013, ANT 2033, or ANT 2053 recommended.
This course explores primary concepts and research questions in medical anthropology by looking at how humans experience and understand health, illness, and healing. Theoretical and methodological approaches will be considered using case studies, with an emphasis on the potential that medical anthropologists have to improve health and wellbeing. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3543. Museum Studies in Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013, ANT 2043, or ANT 2053 recommended. By studying the nature and functioning of museums, past and present, students in this course will explore major controversies and debates about the politics of memory and visual display. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the role of anthropologists and archaeologists in museum contexts. Methodologically, the course will provide an overview of techniques used in exhibition planning and design as well as in collections management. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3563. Anthropology of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2053 recommended.
This course examines the concepts of health and healing across cultures with an emphasis on non-biomedical healing systems. It explores historical and ethnographic case studies of afflictions and the cross-cultural, non-conventional modalities for treatment and healing. Additionally the course surveys the cultural strategies and complexities of the role of the healer in various cultures. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3573. Digital Archaeology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces students to a broad range of digital techniques for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing objects, spaces, and landscapes through a series of lab exercises and case studies. Lab exercises include hands-on activities using techniques such as 3D modeling and database design. Case studies will explore what these techniques can reveal about ancient and modern materials and social life. Course content will build skills in both data analysis and public engagement. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3603. Sex, Gender, and Culture. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2033 recommended.
Examination of the biological and cultural sources of differences between men and women. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3656. Field Course in Anthropology. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Offers the opportunity to gain intensive training in anthropological field methods in cultural and/or biological anthropology. Additional fees are required. May be repeated for credit with advisor's permission, but not more than 6 semester credit hours may be applied to a major in Anthropology. Generally offered: Summer. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $36.96.
ANT 3663. Hunters and Gatherers - Past and Present. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended. Hunter-gatherer societies are frequently referred to in discussions of what it means to be human. Their knowledge of the environment and capacity for sharing have long captured our imagination. This course examines the lifeways of hunters and gatherers from around the world in both ethnographic and archaeological contexts. It considers examples of societies from the Arctic to Tropical Rainforests and explores such research topics as hunter-gatherer sharing, mobility, subsistence, and warfare, among others. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3703. Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Americas. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines the creative expression of indigenous artists from ancient societies across the Americas. Detailed analysis of the art, artifacts, and buildings of societies across North, Central, and South America are contextualized and discussed within the framework of the culture that produced them. Among the broader topics addressed are artistic techniques, aesthetics, symbolism, and the role of art in culture and society.
ANT 3713. Anthropology of Material Culture. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2043 or ANT 2053 recommended. This course surveys the role of material culture in human social systems of the past and present. Archaeological, historical, and ethnographic case studies are used to illustrate how the material world is variously woven into the fabric of culture. (Formerly titled "Material Culture Systems.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3733. Political and Legal Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. Comparative political and legal systems; forms of authority, legitimacy, and power. Major trends in anthropological thought are explored, with emphasis on the political uses of myth, symbol, and ritual. Law and judicial processes are examined in Western and non-Western societies. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.
ANT 3793. Zombies, Monsters, Ghosts: Living with the Undead. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended. Why and how have so many people, across the world and over time, so strongly believed in the existence of terrifying and fantastical beings who live beyond death? What can our cultural imaginaries and experiences of the undead — in visual art, oral narrative, written text, and physical interaction — tell us about social life in different settings and times? This course addresses these questions through an anthropological exploration of the “undead,” focusing on creatures that “haunt” human lives. In discussing these creatures, it offers a unique anthropological perspective on morality, social memory, and the cultural construction of reality.
ANT 3803. Media, Power, and Public Culture. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. Film and media images facilitate the production, consumption, and circulation of ideas and practices in the United States and cross-culturally. The course traces the history and meaning of various communication technologies and their impact on culture. It will examine a variety of media to analyze how institutional power is constructed and enforced and the ways media is used to facilitate community-based forms of resistance. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3823. Applied Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. Applied anthropology uses anthropological theories and methods to help solve real-world problems. Through case studies, this course will explore how, where, and why applied anthropology is conducted in each subfield of the discipline. Course materials and assignments will help students identify and develop anthropological skills and experiences relevant to their career aspirations. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3843. Primates of the World. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course offers a broad survey of the social behavior and ecology of the living primates. It begins with a survey of primate taxonomy, drawing distinctions among prosimians, monkeys, and apes. The course concludes with consideration of what the study of nonhuman primates can tell us about human evolution. (Formerly titled "Introduction to Primate Diversity.") Course Fee: DL01 $75; LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3853. Modern Ape Behavior, Ecology, and Cognition. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Modern apes show considerable diversity in their behavioral and morphological adaptations. This course focuses on the major theoretical approaches to understanding the biological variation within this primate group. The question of whether great apes exhibit culture is also discussed. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3863. The Evolution of Human Nature. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
A central concept in the evolution of human behavior is the idea that our brains, like our bodies, have been shaped by natural selection. The extent to which this factor influences the diverse behavior of modern humans is a topic of considerable debate. This course takes a critical look at different attempts to explain human behavior based on adaptive design. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3873. Food, Culture, and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the relationship between food and culture in diverse societies by examining food, food practices, and production, as well as the meanings associated with food. Topics include issues of identity, class, food habits, global food systems, and world hunger. Generally offered: Summer. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3883. Death and Dying. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013, ANT 2043, or ANT 2053 recommended. Cross-cultural approaches to death, dying, and bereavement with a focus on either contemporary or prehistoric cultures, depending on instructor’s emphasis. When exploring contemporary cultures, attention will be given to the emotional, social, and ethical issues of dying, and the social organization of death and dying. When exploring prehistoric groups, attention will be given to conceptualizing death through diverse funerary practices, body treatment of the deceased, and religious principles involved with death. In both cases, the course seeks to provide a comparative understanding of death and its wider social implications. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval when topic varies. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 3893. Primate Behavior and Ecology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Nonhuman primates in their natural habitats, including biogeography, feeding and ranging behavior, structure and social organization of groups in relation to environment, and primates as members of communities. (Formerly titled "Primate Ecology.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3903. Introduction to Linguistics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Basic principles of analysis and description of the structure of language, including sound system, word order, and meaning. Also, overview of selected subfields of linguistics, such as historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, and bilingualism. (Same as ENG 3343 and LNG 3813. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: ANT 3903, ENG 3343, or LNG 3813.) Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3913. Archaeologies of Death. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended. This course discusses the methods and theories by which archaeologists interpret cultural practices and values that are integral to the physical and social death of humans and other beings. Taking an archaeological perspective, the course examines how diverse human communities prepare for dying, care for the dead, recognize the nature of death, and learn about ancestors, past events, and earlier times. The course reviews archaeologies of death, teaches basic methods of archaeological mortuary analysis, and introduces students to broader anthropological theories of social memory, rites of passage, funerary ritual, and material culture.
ANT 3933. Anthropology of Superheroes. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course will examine the world of superheroes as both an imagined universe and a fan culture. Superheroes are not simply characters in illustrated books, but reflections of our own ideas about what it does and does not mean to be human, offering dystopic/utopic reflections of our own reality and imagined future. Ultimately, our goal is to discover what an anthropology of superheroes potentially can be. The course will delve into classic anthropological concepts including: gender, ethnicity, nature vs. culture, utopia/dystopia, media studies, ritual, creativity, etc., while considering comic and real world superheroes. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 3943. Food, Drink, and Drugs: Consumption in the Ancient World. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the social importance of food, drink, and drugs from a variety of theoretical perspectives and archaeological settings. It uses consumption as a lens through which we can study many aspects of society and identity, such as ethnicity, class, gender, community, religion, and economy. Case studies reveal the diversity of past foodways, the role of mind-altering substances in the ancient world, and the methods through which archaeologists reconstruct ancient food systems.
ANT 3963. The Evolution of Sex. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2033 recommended.
Why is there sex? This course explores the evolution of sexual reproduction as an alternative to asexual cloning that is found in most organisms. We will explore why sexual reproduction evolved, its costs and benefits, and the diversity of sexual strategies across all kingdoms of life. It concludes by examining the sexual behavior of humans and our closest primate relatives. Topics will include sexual selection, mating systems, same-sex behavior, and the evolution of monogamy. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 4013. Maya Civilization. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended.
Examination of the development of Maya civilization in Mexico and Central America. Insights will be drawn from archaeological data, art, hieroglyphic writing, ethnohistoric accounts, and Colonial Period documents. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4023. Histories of Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2033, ANT 2043, ANT 2053, or ANT 2063 recommended. This course examines the history of anthropology as a distinct field, including considerations of historical figures, institutions, and relationships among subfields. Emphasis will be placed on changes in theoretical and methodological orientations as they emerge in specific historical contexts. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 4113. Archaeology of Texas. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2043 or ANT 3263 recommended. Detailed review of prehistoric and historic aboriginal cultures of Texas and adjacent areas, current trends in Texas archaeology, examination of artifacts, and field trips to local prehistoric sites. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4123. Archaeology of the American Southwest. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2043 or ANT 3263 recommended.
Consideration of the prehistoric cultures in the American Southwest and northern Mexico from the earliest occupations to European contact. Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Mogollon, Anasazi, and Hohokam occupations are reviewed with a consideration of recent research directions and theory. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4153. The Urban Environment. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2043 recommended. This course takes an archaeological view of the urban environment. It combines approaches from anthropology and history to study the city and the landscapes it produces in a cross-cultural and comparative perspective. It looks into: the origins of ancient cities, the design of urban space, the cultural construction of urban-rural distinctions, the ecological impact of urbanization, and utopian initiatives to reimagine the city altogether. In attending to these themes, the course seeks to understand urbanism over time by comparing the cultural practices and the ideologies that fostered, sustained, and collapsed the cities of the ancient world.
ANT 4173. Politics of the Past. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores and critically examines how archaeological materials and places of the past are meaningful to people today as cultural heritage. It reviews a series of case studies surrounding how archaeological remains are presented, interpreted, valued, claimed, destroyed, and politicized. Topics include: ethical issues and methodologies in scholarly research; conflicts between personal, political, indigenous, and national identities; illicit trade of antiquities; tourism site preservation; museum design and access, repatriation, stakeholder collaboration, and public education. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4213. Witchcraft and Magic: Anthropological Perspectives. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces the historical and contemporary treatment of witchcraft and magic from a socio-cultural perspective. It draws on anthropological models which are applied to Western European, African, Pacific, and other cultural areas to amplify the adaptive, rational, and political contexts for why and how witchcraft and magic exist. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 4233. Primate Conservation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2033 or ANT 3843 recommended. Analysis of the conservation status of the world’s nonhuman primates and the specific threats to their survival. Includes examination of issues relating to the anthropology of conservation, such as human-nonhuman primate resource competition, anthropogenic habitat alteration related to land use and development, and efforts to achieve community-based conservation. (Formerly titled "Conservation of Primates in Global Perspective.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4243. Ethnographic Film. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended.
Critique of major ethnographic films, concentrating on field methodology, production values, and the issue of representation. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4273. The Anthropology of Oil. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended.
This course explores the social, cultural, and political-economic significance of oil, the most important industrial commodity of the world. Case studies will be drawn from books, articles, and films that describe the importance of oil at the level of its production, distribution, and consumption in the United States and around the world. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4293. Plants, Animals, Humans, Oh My!: Thinking Beyond the Human. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 1013 or ANT 2053 recommended. Through a framework of multispecies ethnography, this course examines our relationships with other living beings. Students will gain an understanding of how anthropology has theorized the plants and animals that share this world with us. Topics include extinction and conservation, domestication, zoos, seed banks, GMOs, plant and animal agency, animal rights, the production of science, and indigenous knowledge.
ANT 4313. Anthropology of Age and Aging. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course will explore the sociocultural construction of the human life course across contemporary communities worldwide. We will examine case studies from across the globe to learn about the diversity of meanings, values, and performances of phases of the life course (e.g. childhood, adulthood, old age) across sociocultural groups. We will also investigate how these meanings, values, and performances of the life course are interwoven with broader sociocultural and political structures, such as family/kinship, healthcare/medicine, gender, race/ethnicity, and class. A specific phase of the life course (e.g., old age) may be focused on at the instructor’s discretion. Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4363. Primate Evolutionary Biology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2033 recommended.
This course evaluates the evolutionary history of the nonhuman primates. Examination will include information gained from fossil and genetic data as well as from modern phylogenetic methods. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4413. Genes, Health, and Ancestry. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ANT 2033 recommended. What's in your genes? Consumer genomics and DNA testing have made genetic data cheap and largely available to everyone. But how accurate are those results? And what can DNA really tell us about our ancestry and our health? This course is a journey into the promises, pitfalls, and limitations of genetics in understanding human diversity, ancestry, and health. It explores how technological advancements have improved our understanding of human evolution and adaptation, and have also led to new concerns about personal privacy and bioethics. We will explore the potential and misapplications of genetic testing and gene editing, and we will discuss the role of science in society. (Formerly titled "Genes and Human Diversity.") Course Fee: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 4503. Field Research Methods in Environmental Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course provides an overview of various field research methods used by ecological and environmental anthropologists. Topics include research design, interviewing, participatory research and mapping, resource inventories and transects, classification, environmental specimens, and other applicable methods chosen by the instructor.
ANT 4853. Study Away: Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. A lecture course associated with a study away program. Involves travel and field trips. May be repeated for credit when the destination and topic vary.
ANT 4856. Study Away: Anthropology. (6-0) 6 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. A lecture course associated with a study away program. Involves travel and field trips.
ANT 4911. Independent Study. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.
Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $6.16.
ANT 4913. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4933. Internship in Anthropology. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of internship coordinator.
Supervised experience relevant to anthropology within selected community organizations. A maximum of 6 semester credit hours may be earned through Internship in Anthropology. Must be taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4936. Internship in Anthropology. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of internship coordinator.
Supervised experience relevant to anthropology within selected community organizations. A maximum of 6 semester credit hours may be earned through Internship in Anthropology. Must be taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $36.96.
ANT 4953. Special Studies in Anthropology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Studies may be repeated for credit when the topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48; DL01 $75.
ANT 4983. Anthropology Honors Research. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Enrollment limited to candidates for Department Honors with approval of the Department faculty.
Supervised individual research and preparation of a major paper in support of Department Honors. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.
ANT 4993. Honors Thesis. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to candidates for University Honors in Anthropology and consent of the Honors College.
Supervised research and preparation of an honors thesis. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval. Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.