Anthropology

Anthropology Current Courses

Students walking on campus during the spring talking

SPRING 2026 COURSES

ANTH 105-01 Introduction to Archaeology - Cynthia Van Gilder 4 Units TTH 9:50-11:30 AM

Do the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica or the Middle East fascinate you? Have you ever tried to imagine what life must have been like living in a painted cave and hunting for a living? Have you ever wondered how writing was invented? Archaeology is the study of the life ways of past cultures based on their material remains, like artifacts. In this class we will learn about how archaeologists study kinship, gender, religion, art, economics, etc., in ancient societies.

We will also discuss how archaeology enhances our understanding of historical and contemporary cultures.

This course fulfills the Social Science requirement of the Core Curriculum.

ANTH 107-01 Introduction to Biological Anthropology - Laura White 3 Units MW 9:15-10:30 AM

This course studies the variation and evolution of the human species and its place in nature. The emphasis of this course explores why we see broad variations among homo sapiens and how these variations affect humans in their life cycle, health and culture. This course fulfills the Science Lab requirement of the Core Curriculum.

ANTH 107L-01 Intro. to Biological Anthropology Lab - Laura White 1 Unit Wednesdays 2:00-5:00 PM

This course fulfills the Science Lab requirement of the Core Curriculum.

ANTH 186-1 Archaeological Methods - Cynthia Van Gilder 1 Unit Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 PM

This one credit course will give students the opportunity to learn quantitative and qualitative archaeological field and lab methods. The course may be repeated as content varies.

ANTH 363-01Anthropological Perspectives on Global Social Justice - Cynthia Van Gilder 3 Units TTH 3:20-4:35 PM

As the study of human diversity, anthropology is uniquely poised to provide valuable insights into the processes that generate inequality and oppression in the world today. In this course we will explore anthropological perspectives on social justice topics through the perspectives of all four fields of anthropology: including the historical origins of social inequality (anthropological archaeology), the social structures and discourses that work to maintain inequality in the modern world (cultural and linguistic anthropologies), and what, if any, basis these inequalities have in human biological diversity (biological anthropology). Understanding local cultures and how they articulate with global systems helps us engage with the world around us in thoughtful ways to improve the human condition. In addition, we will explore questions such as, what is social justice in a global, multi-cultural context? Are human rights universal? When cultural ideas of justice clash, how can they be resolved? With this in mind, we will explore issues of global importance such as, the world economy and economic exploitation, loss of biodiversity and environmental sustainability, human rights, migration, and armed conflict, inequality and disease, and heritage management and cultural survival. Students will learn a variety of theoretical perspectives and apply them systematically to case studies drawn from around the world.

ANTH 373-01 Anthropological of Religion - Dana Herrera 4 Units MWF 12:05-1:10 PM

Through the close examination of ethnographic texts, students will gain an appreciation for diverse social, cultural, ethical, and theological traditions, and how religion intersects across cultural contexts. Students will engage texts and ethnographic data from an emic or insiders' perspective, demonstrating an understanding of how individuals within each theological tradition experience and understand their religious practices and experiences. We will also explore how social scientists have made sense of religious practice, ritual, and experience. Prerequisites: TRS 281 OR ANTH 101 OR ANTH 105 OR ANTH 107 OR by permission of instructor. CORE: TUTE - Theological Explorations