Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humanity. It encompasses the range of human experience among the peoples of the world. Its aims are to understand what people do or have done, and why. Every aspect of human beings poses anthropological questions – from their DNA molecules to their beliefs about the supernatural, from primate evolution to ancient civilizations to present-day lifestyles. Anthropology also links the social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities. Because it draws on insights from fields as diverse as biology, geology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, economics, and psychology, our courses can enrich the studies of students in other disciplines.

Incoming first-year students can take a variety of courses in anthropology this fall. All of the courses listed on this page have no prerequisites and are appropriate for first-year students, subject to the availability of seats. Most of them also satisfy a range of distribution and/or graduation requirements.

• ANTH 102: Cultural Anthropology (SSC/DIV)
• ANTH 103: Introduction to Archaeology (SST)
• ANTH 201: Introduction to Human Origins (SST)
• ANTH 205: Language and Human Experience (SSC/DIV)
• ANTH/ASIA 208: Ancient Civilizations (SSC)
• ANTH/AFS 225: Peoples and Cultures of Africa (DIV)
• ANTH 247: Talking Politics
• ANTH 255/AFS 255/ENVS 255: Environmental Perception and Indigenous Knowledge w/CBL (DIV)