Anthropology

Courses Taught

• ANTH 106 Introduction to Archaeology
  Study of how archaeologists and physical anthropologists reconstruct what people's lives were like in the past. Course uses case studies drawn from historical and ancient societies to examine how archaeology and physical anthropology contribute to anthropology's goal of understanding and comparing human behavior, religious beliefs, political structure, social organization, and economy. Students are introduced to the range of materials that archaeologists and physical anthropologists study, including burials, buildings, monumental art, trash, and texts; and to important theoretical concepts and methods. No prerequisites.
• ANTH 222 Environmental Archaeology
  Course addresses the approaches used by archaeologists to analyze how past peoples interacted with and shaped their environments. The course begins with a survey of methods employed to collect environmental data, followed by the analysis of case studies illustrating the relationships between cultural practice and ecology. Key topics include climate change, agricultural systems, nutrition, colonialism, and urban development.
• ANTH 232 Precolumbian Civilizations of Mesoamerica
  Introduction to the organization and development of Native American civilizations in Mexico and Central America. Evidence from archaeological and ethnographic research, Native texts and art, and Spanish Colonial writings is used to study religious beliefs, sociopolitical organization, economic relationships, and intellectual achievements of such groups as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs. Period prior to the sixteenth-century Spanish conquest is emphasized, but modern indigenous cultures are also studied. Anth 232 and LAS 232 are cross-listed.
• ANTH 275 Public Archaeology
  Over the course of this semester, we will engage with readings and class discussions to examine the various iterations and diverse goals of public archaeology. We will discuss the advantages and pitfalls of public engagement and consider how methodologies for collaboration and outreach could be improved. By the end of this course, you will have the opportunity to design and pitch your own public archaeology project based on your unique interests and expertise.
• ANTH 324 Field Methods in Archaeology
  This class trains students to conduct archaeological field research and is broken up into three parts. Part 1 focuses on research design. Students learn how archaeologists develop appropriate research questions, create research plans, and perform other preliminary research and documentation including consultation of historical documents, survey and mapping. Part 2 focuses on excavation methods and artifactual analysis. Over the course of five weeks students will participate in an archaeological excavation on campus and will also perform basic artifact analysis. Part 3 focuses on data analysis. Students explore the various ways that data can be used to answer research questions and inform future fieldwork. Prerequisite: ANTH 106