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Anthropology
In the College of Arts and Letters
Office: Storm Hall 143B
Telephone: (619) 594-5527
Fax: (619) 594-1150
Emeritus: Anderson, Goldkind, Rogers, Rollefson, Watson
Chair: Himes
Professors: Ball, Greenfeld, Henry, Himes, Leach, Lippold, -Pendleton, Rohrl, Whitney
Associate Professor: Moore
Assistant Professor: Sonek
Master of Arts degree in anthropology.
Major in anthropology with the B.A. degree in liberal arts and sciences.
Minor in anthropology.
Anthropology is the far-reaching study of human beings as both biological and culturally adaptive organisms. Anthropologists study the physical and mental characteristics, social relationships, institutions, customs, myths, and geographic distribution of human populations.
The anthropology major provides a broad background for the various specialized areas in the field, such as archaeology, the analysis of past cultures; cultural anthropology, the study of cultural similarities and differences in contemporary societies; linguistics, the evaluation of cultural differences in communication; and physical anthropology, the analysis of biological characteristics of past and present populations. Elective courses provide information on the newest developments in the field and give the anthropology graduate an understanding of human nature in the context of past and present environmental influences.
Employment opportunities for anthropology graduates include work in senior citizen and minority agencies, the National Park Service, state archaeological services, marketing, environmental impact projects, urban affairs, state and local governmental agencies, and business.
All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser during the first semester after declaration or change of major.
All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on "Graduation Requirements." No more than 48 units in anthropology courses can apply to the degree.
A minor is not required with this major.
Preparation for the Major. Anthropology 101, 102. (6 units)
Foreign Language Requirement. Competency (equivalent to that which is normally attained through three consecutive courses of college study) is required in one foreign language as part of the preparation for the major. Refer to section of catalog on "Graduation Requirements."
Upper Division Writing Requirement. Passing the University Writing Examination or one of the approved writing courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Major. A minimum of 36 upper division units in Anthropology to include Anthropology 301, 302, 303, 304; and 24 additional units of upper division courses in anthropology selected from the following areas:
Area/Regional: Nine units selected from Anthropology 312, 349, 350, 442, 444, 445, 446, 448, 449, 450, 452, 453, 471, 472, 481, 582.
Methods: Six units selected from Anthropology 500, 504, 505, 506, 507, 560, 561, 580, Sociology 301.
Theory/Topical: Nine units selected from Anthropology 402, 406, 410, 422, 424, 430, 432, 439, 483, 501, 503, 508, 509, 583.
The student will file with the Office of Admissions and Records a master plan approved by the adviser for the anthropology curriculum.
The minor in anthropology consists of a minimum of 15 units in anthropology, 9 to 12 units of which must be in upper division courses. The 15 units must be selected from one of the following areas:
General: Anthropology 101, 102 and nine units selected from 301, 302, 303, 304, 580.
Archaeology: Anthropology 101 and 302 and nine units selected from Anthropology 471, 472, 481, 483, 496 (if appropriate), 499, 561, 580.
Biocultural: Anthropology 101 and 301 and nine units selected from Anthropology 406, 483, 496 (if appropriate), 499, 500, 501, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 580.
Linguistics: Anthropology 102, 304 and 410 and six units selected from Anthropology 303, 350, 496 (if appropriate), 499, 580, 582, 583.
Sociocultural: Anthropology 102 and 350 and nine units selected from Anthropology 303, 424, 430, 439, 496 (if appropriate), 580.
Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University.
101. Human Biocultural Origins (3) I, II
(CAN ANTH 2)
Humankind's place in nature; fossil evidence for hominid evolution; evolutionary theory; racial, clinal and genetic variability; relationship of physical and cultural adaptations; the rise of civilization.
102. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3) I, II
(CAN ANTH 4)
May be taken before Anthropology 101.
Our relationship to our environment; types of preliterate society; systems of social organization, politics, economics, religion, and language.
296. Experimental Topics (1-4)
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
301. Principles of Physical Anthropology (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
Primate comparative anatomy and human paleontology. Physical measurement of the living subject and skeletal specimens. The statistical treatment of data in physical anthropology. Applications of physical anthropology in industry and medicolegal problems.
302. Principles of Archaeology (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
History, method, and theory of archaeological data acquisition and interpretation. Methods of data recovery and analysis suitable to resolution of historical and processual questions. Archaelogical examples from a worldwide sample of prehistoric and historic societies.
303. History of Ethnological Theory (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 102.
Development of theories which explain nature of culture and cultural variation. Applications of theory of culture to field methods in ethnography and interpretation of ethnographic findings.
304. Principles of Anthropological Linguistics (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 102.
The structural nature of language. How languages differ, change and influence each other. The language families of the world. The significance of language for human social life in a variety of cultures.
312. Archaeological Field Techniques (3)
Six hours of activity.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 302.
Archaeological excavation of significant sites in San Diego. Tech- niques of excavation, recording, and surveying.
349. Roots of Civilizations (3)
Prerequisite: Open only to upper division students who have completed the General Education requirement in Foundations II.C.,
Humanities.
Origins and major attributes common to civilizations. Form and function of fundamental characteristics in different civilizations. Examples taken from Africa, Asia, the Near East and the New World.
350. World Ethnography (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Cultural patterns of representative peoples. Industries, arts, social organization and supernaturalism considered with view to environmental adjustment, historical development and functional interrelation. Ethnological theories reviewed and applied in interpreting illustrative societies.
402. Dynamics of Biocultural Diversity (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in
Foundations II.A.2. Life Sciences. If a biological sciences course is not
taken to satisfy General Education II.A.2. Life Sciences, a college
course in biological sciences is required.
Interaction of biology and culture in human populations. Relating genetic and cultural processes to the changes in human populations over time.
406. Nonhuman Primates (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
Basic aspects of nonhuman primates, geographical distribution, ecology (habitat, diet), external and internal morphology, locomotion and social behavior, reproduction and development.
410. Language in Culture (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Survey of anthropological interests in the study of language and of linguistic interests in the sociocultural context of language.
422. Music and Culture (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.C., Humanities.
How the forms, functions and meanings of music vary crossculturally. Understanding a society's music historically, holistically and experientially, with emphasis on non-Western music. Universals of music and music use. Ethnological theories of music and music change.
424. Primitive Religion (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.C., Humanities required for
nonmajors.
Beliefs and ritual of primitive man. Magic and religion. Forms of animism and polytheism. Primitive mentality and the supernatural.
430. Anthropology of Law and Dispute Processing (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B, Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Law, social control, and dispute processing studied in sociocultural context. Law in Western society compared with "law-ways" in a number of traditional or nonindustrialized cultures. Basic concepts and theories about law examined crossculturally.
432. Principles of Personality in Culture (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Principles related to the determinants of human behavior con-tained in culture. Studies of behavior crossculturally.
439. Cultural Comparisons Through Film (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in
Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for
nonmajors.
Principles of cultural anthropology to include signs and proxemics, cultural prerequisites, kinship and social organization, and law and values. Feature and documentary films.
442. Cultures of South America (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Indian cultures in terms of origins, migration, relation to habitat, cultural variation and relevance to contemporary trends. Development of Inca civilization, the effects of the Spanish conquest and its aftermath.
444. American Culture (3)
An "inside-out" view of America. What culture has to do with feeling like an American. Theory and method in anthropology. Approaches include subcultures, American values, and mass media.
445. Ethnology of North America (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Native cultures and the role of environmental and historical factors in North America.
446. Southwestern Ethnology (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Indian cultures of the American Southwest in historic times; ecological adaptations, responses to white contact, adaptations to modern American life.
448. Cultures of Oceania (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
The aboriginal cultures and peoples of Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia in prehistoric, historic, and modern times.
449. Cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Indigenous peoples and cultures of Africa south of the Sahara. A comparison of cultural traditions, social organization, and modern trends in newly emergent nations of the area.
450. Cultures of India (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Indigenous peoples and cultures of India and contiguous areas of South Asia. The development of cultural traditions, social organization, and modern trends.
452. Japanese Society (3)
Prerequisites: Anthropology 102, and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Culture and social organization of Japanese people. Traditional Japanese economic, social, political and religious institutions. Okinawa and overseas Japanese. Recent industrial and urban changes in modern Japan.
453. Cultures of Southeast Asia (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in
Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors. Recommended: Anthropology 102.
Cultural anthropological study of cultures and societies of mainland (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) and insular (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines) Southeast Asian nations. Traditional economic, social, political, and religious institutions. Recent changes in modern Southeast Asia.
471. Archaeology of North America (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or 102.
Origin of the American Indian and survey of the main prehistoric cultures of the North American continent.
472. Southwestern Prehistory (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or 102.
Prehistoric Indian cultures in the American Southwest; ecological adaptations and outside cultural influences.
481. Archaeology of East Asia and Oceania (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or 102.
Culture change in the areas of China, Siberia, southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and Oceania beginning with the first evidence of hominid activity through ethnohistorically known societies.
483. Health and Nutrition in Antiquity (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or 102.
Health and disease patterns in human populations from the earliest times. Analysis of food resources, their impact on health and nutrition of prehistoric peoples.
496. Experimental Topics (1-4)
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
499. Special Study (1-3) I, II
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Individual study. Maximum credit six units.
500. Primate Social Behavior (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
Analysis of modes of primate socialization and development of social behavior with emphases on communication, group structure, aggression, and sex. Various methods of analysis and observation practiced utilizing primate collection at the San Diego Zoo.
501. Paleoanthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101. Recommended: Anthropology 301.
Fossil evidence for human evolution. Comparative and functional anatomy of fossil human and infrahuman primates; geochronology, paleoecology, and cultural associations; taxonomic implications.
503. Human Variation (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
Morphological, physiological and genetic aspects of human variability. Significance of this diversity in the biological adaptations of human populations.
504. Primate Anatomy (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
Primate anatomy both regional and systemic, including skeletal, cardiovascular and digestive systems; the integument and otolaryngology of primates.
505. Human Osteology (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101. Recommended: Anthropology 301
and/or Biology 150.
Identification of individual bones and teeth; sex, age, and racial variation; stature reconstruction; continuous and discontinuous morphological variations; paleopathology. Training in observations, measurements, and analyses.
506. Physical Anthropology of the Living (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101. Recommended: Anthropology 301.
Theory and practice of techniques in measurement and description of biological variations in modern populations.
507. Genetic Markers and Anthropology (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101.
Use of genetic markers in the study of human populations. Biology of blood groups, serum proteins, enzymes, etc., and analyses of gene frequencies. Significance of genetic markers in evolutionary studies.
508. Medical Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or 102.
Evolution and ecology of disease, medical beliefs and practices in non-Western cultures, and complexities of health care delivery in pluralistic societies.
509. Culture and Biological Aging (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 101 or 102.
Do different cultures age at different rates? Theories of biological aging, genetics of longevity and cultural influences on biological aging. Process of aging and role of the aged in various cultures.
560. Advanced Archaeological Field Methods (3)
One lecture and six hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 312.
Advanced projects in excavation and stabilization of ruins, archaeological surveys, laboratory analysis and preparation of reports.
561. Archaeological Laboratory Methods (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Anthropology 560.
Application of palynology, paleontology and relevant technologies. Individual laboratory research project required.
580. Anthropological Data Analysis (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Anthropology 101 or 102 and a statistics course.
Recommended: Psychology 270 or Sociology 201.
Computer oriented data analysis class utilizing anthropological data sets. Special section of the SPSS computer workshop is required.
582. Regional Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 102.
Study of societies in a major geographical region of the world such as Africa, the Arctic, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, or South Asia. See Class Schedule for specific content. May be repeated with new content. Maximum credit six units.
583. Topical Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: Anthropology 102.
Study of a major subdiscipline such as political anthropology, economic anthropology, social anthropology, psychological anthropology, cultural ecology, applied anthropology, anthropological genetics, or environmental archaeology. See Class Schedule for specific content. May be repeated with new content. Maximum credit six units.
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