ANTH 1160 - Introduction to Anthropology

Goals: To introduce the approaches and perspectives of the anthropological study of human beings. To survey the ways human cultures shape and are shaped by historical, environmental, biological and social forces. To introduce the importance of context in social research.

Content: This course is an introductory survey of the different anthropological approaches to the study of human beings through introducing key concepts, basic content, approaches and guiding theoretical questions about human beings and our relationship to each other and our world. Students will acquire a basic working knowledge of key anthropological vocabulary, research orientations and methods. Class lecture, discussion and readings will be applied in weekly field exercises spanning a range of research approaches. This class emphasizes learning about anthropology by doing it—data collected by students will be discussed and analyzed in class.

Taught: Annually, both semesters

Credits: 4