Anthropology Courses
ANTH180
INTRODUCTION TO
ANTHROPOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
This course acquaints students with the holistic
approach to the study of humanity by examining four
major subfields of anthropology: physical anthropol-
ogy, archaeology, anthropological linguistics, and
cultural anthropology. Emphasis is placed on under-
standing the complexity of human biological and
behavioral diversity. This course is approved for
General Education Core 4.
ANTH205
INTRODUCTION TO
MULTICULTURAL AMERICA
3 sem. hrs.
This course surveys the history and culture of the
many ethnic groups in the United States in the context
of social class, gender, education, and age. It also
examines topics such as race, immigration, religion,
politics, the role of the family, education, and the
impact of these groups on mainstream American soci-
ety. This course is approved for General Education
Core 5.
ANTH275
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL
ANTHROPOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
An examination of the major characteristics of human
culture. The patterning and integration of cultural
ethos and value systems; consideration is given to
culture and personality, ideology, religion, language
and change.
ANTH278
PRE-COLUMBIAN NATIVE
AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS
3 sem. hrs.
This course surveys the development of Native
American cultures, as revealed in the archaeological
record, for the first 20,000 years before European
contact. Models are examined which describe and
explain the interrelationships between pre-columbian
cultural systems and their respective cultural and
physical environments. Special emphasis is placed
upon examining interrelationships among the techno-
logical, sociological, and ideolofical subsystems of
individual pre-columbian Native American cultural
systems. This course is approved for General
Education Distribution 2.
ANTH279
FROM EARLY MAN TO EARLY
CIVILIZATION IN THE
OLD WORLD
3 sem. hrs.
This course surveys the development of cultures in
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific from
their first evidence through the earliest civilizations,
as revealed in the archaeological record. Models are
examined which describe and explain human cultural
evolution. Interrelationships among the technologi-
cal, sociological, and ideological subsystems of indi-
vidual cultural systems are emphasized. This course
is approved for General Education Distribution 2.
ANTH315
RITUAL, MAGIC AND MYTH
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines religious belief and ritual in
nonliterate societies as well as popular movements
among followers of world religions. It focuses on reli-
gion as an aspect of culture that offers people a means
to understand and adapt to a changing world. Topics
include theories of religious origins, magic and div-
ination; witchcraft and sorcery; ghosts, spirits, and
gods; mythology; and religious movements. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 2.
ANTH353
APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
This course explores the ways in which anthropolo-
gists use their knowledge and skills to improve inter-
cultural communication, to promote positive cultural
and social change, and to assist victims of change in
the United States and in other industrial and nonin-
dustrial societies. It offers practical methods for
understanding and working with people of other cul-
tures.
ANTH364
CULTURE, ILLNESS AND
CURING
3 sem. hrs.
This course offers a cross-cultural understanding of
health and illness beliefs and practices. It examines
the impact of modern biomedicine upon traditional
peoples and cultures, problems of communication
between health practitioners and patients of other cul-
tures, as well as the confrontation in the United States
between biomedicine and alternative systems of heal-
ing. This course is approved for General Education
Distribution 2.
ANTH371
INTRODUCTION TO
ARCHAEOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
Archaeology, a subdiscipline of anthropology, sys-
tematically studies man's prehistoric and historic past
from the remains of human behavior. It also provides
the means with which to verify historical facts, fill in
gaps in historical knowledge, and correct biases
inherent in history. This course introduces a diversity
of research problems, data gathering techniques,
analyses, and conceptual frameworks which form an
intrinsic part of modern day archaeology. This course
is approved for General Education Distribution 2.
ANTH372
CULTURES OF THE WORLD
3 sem. hrs.
The course surveys world cultures and describes the
methods anthropologists use to study them. It
explores in cross-cultural perspective such topics as
adaptation to the environment, language, art, values,
politics, law, marriage and the family, as well as cul-
ture change and the impact of the West upon third-
world populations. This course is approved for
General Education Distribution 2.
ANTH373
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD
STUDIES
3-12 sem. hrs.
This course has two complementary aspects. During
the summer and fall sessions archaeological field
techniques are applied to the excavation of actual
sites. During the spring semesters archaeological lab-
oratory techniques are applied to the preparation and
analysis of archaeological data. Graduate students
will demonstrate a deeper understanding of the com-
plexities of archeological field studies.
ANTH374
INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA
3 sem. hrs.
This course looks at the traditional and contemporary
cultures of Eskimos and North American Indians. It
examines Native American adaptations to the envi-
ronment, social and political organization, religion,
life styles and values, histories of contact with out-
siders, and problems of survival in the modern world.
This course is approved for General Education
Distribution 2.
ANTH381
ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY
3 sem. hrs.
This course is concerned with the development of
thought about man and his culture. Among the
schools of thought considered are: 19th century evo-
lutionism, British and German diffusionism, the
American Historical School, functionalism, and 20th
century evolutionism. Prerequisite: ANTH275 or
ANTH180.
ANTH385
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL
ANTHROPOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
This course is an introduction to the study of people
as bio-cultural organisms. Human biology is viewed
in relation to culture, society, and human behavior.
The place of homo sapiens in the scheme of evolution
is the central theme. The evolutionary history of
humankind is traced through the fossil record. Homo
sapiens relationship with the other living primates is
demonstrated. Molecular biology and its contribu-
tions to our understanding of human evolution are
investigated. Ecology, overpopulation, and other cur-
rent human problems are discussed in the light of
their impact on the future of the human species. This
course is approved for General Education
Distribution 2.
ANTH389
APPALACHIAN CULTURE
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines the ethnohistory of the
Appalachian region. It includes material of the origins
of the culture, its historical development, and its pres-
ent status. Emphasis is placed on understanding the
traditional way of life of a largely rural people, a way
of life that is rapidly changing. The course will
include the use of films, tapes, and records to bring
the authentic Appalachian culture into the classroom.
Prerequisite: ANTH180 or permission of the instruc-
tor.
ANTH395
FIELD EXPERIENCES IN
ARCHAEOLOGY
2-5 sem. hrs.
Emphasis is placed upon developing archaeological
research skills through supervised internships or field
work at archives or historical sites. Utilizing college
archives, Erie and Crawford County records, munici-
pal materials, or material available at other sites in the
United States or abroad. The student will acquire
advanced historical research skills and will prepare a
substantial paper. Credit as arranged.
ANTH397
SPECIAL TOPICS IN
ANTHROPOLOGY
1-3 sem. hrs.
The subjects in anthropology treated in this course
will vary depending upon student and instructor inter-
ests and are beyond the scope of materials treated
extensively in regularly scheduled courses. A list of
topics is maintained in the files of the department
head.
ANTH490-494 INDEPENDENT STUDY
2-5 sem. hrs.
ANTH495
INTERNSHIP IN
ANTHROPOLOGY 3-12 sem. hrs.
This internship in anthropology provides practical, on
the job experience and enables students to apply con-
cepts and theories to the work environment. Further,
192/Course Descriptions