Introduces the discipline of anthropology by examining the diversity of human cultures that have been described by historical and current anthropologists. The principles of anthropology are explained with a focus on how culture impacts people's lives within global communities and societies. Comparisons are drawn with students' own cultures. Fulfills one of the Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Fulfills General Education Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Winter 2026 - Online Spring/Summer 2026 - Hybrid
Examines the dynamic interplay between human biology and culture through the study of human evolution. Grounded in the mechanisms of evolution, the class examines the emergence of our species and our relationship to nonhuman primates, among other topics. Fulfills General Education Foundations - Life Sciences. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Winter 2026 - Online Spring/Summer 2026 - Online
Explores the interaction between language, communication, and culture, employing cross-cultural analysis to reveal cultural models and to understand how linguistic variation is linked to gender, age, region, ethnicity, and class. Several practical activities are used to apply analyses to anthropological problems. Fulfills one of the Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Fulfills General Education Cultures - U.S. Diversity. Offered fall semester.
Spring/Summer 2026 - Online
This course examines the consequences of decisions made by our ancestors, the successes and failures of past civilizations, so that we may better understand our own behavior. Development of world civilizations is explored using historic, archaeological, and other perspectives that inform us about the past. Fulfills General Education Foundations - Historical Analysis. Fulfills General Education Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered fall and winter semesters.
A cross-cultural study of contemporary religions. Examines the diversity of religious meanings through the lived experiences of cultures, traditions, and sects around the world. Exposes students to anthropological interpretations of religion through a range of methods, including ethnography. Themes include symbolisms, ritual, death, shamanism, healing, magic, pilgrimage, and interfaith movements. Fulfills General Education Cultures - Global Perspectives. Part of the Identity Issue. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
This course introduces students to medical anthropology, the study of health and healing across societies. Concepts of health, illness, becoming and staying healthy, cultural practices that encourage or inhibit disease, the influence of social institutions, health disparities and environmental influence on health will be investigated. Part of the Health Issue. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
