Anthropology Courses (ATY)

Courses for Undergraduates

100 Contemporary Non-Western Cultures (3:3)

GE Core: GSB

GE Marker: GN

Survey of contemporary non-Western societies which emphasizes their distinctive cultural characteristics and how these relate to changes taking place in the world today.

212 Introduction to Anthropology (3:3)

GE Core: GSB

GE Marker: GN

Survey of general anthropology. Includes an inquiry into human origins, prehistory, and comparative study of culture.

213 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3:3)

GE Core: GSB

GE Marker: GN

Students cannot receive credit for both ATY 213 and HSS 138

Cultural anthropology attempts to stimulate interest in basic questions about human nature and human adaptation, including major theoretical approaches, the nature of field work, and an examination of selected topics.

253 Introduction to Biological Anthropology (4:3:3)

GE Core: GNS

CAR: GLS

Coreq. ATY 253L

Lecture covering human biology from an evolutionary perspective. Topics include evolutionary theory, human variation, nonhuman primates, the fossil record, human osteology, molecular and population genetics. (Fall & Spring)

253L Introduction to Biological Anthropology Laboratory (0:0:3)

Coreq. ATY 253

Laboratory covering human biology from an evolutionary perspective. Topics include evolutionary theory, human variation, nonhuman primates, the fossil record, human osteology, molecular and population genetics. (Fall & Spring)

258 Introduction to Archaeology Through World Prehistory (3:3)

GE Core: GSB

GE Marker: GN

Development of culture from its Paleolithic beginnings through the rise of early civilizations.

300 The Culture of Baseball (3:3)

GE Marker: GL

Ritual, superstition, racism, language, immigration: the history and culture of baseball provides a familiar lens to examine and contextualize sociocultural experience. Incorporates experience from baseball in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, and Japan. (Alt Fall)

305 Experimental Course: The Forensics of Sherlock Holmes and Bones (3:3)

Examines the forensic methods of Sherlock Holmes and Bones within the context of modern forensic science. (Offered spring '10 and spring '11)

308 Lost Tribes and Sunken Lands (3:3)

GE Marker: GL

Using the scientific method and techniques from archaeology, students critically assess the evidence supporting popular myths such as sunken Atlantis, pyramid power, and extraterrestrial encounters.

311 Reading Culture and Society (3:3)

Examines key sociocultural issues through classic literary and cinematic works, emphasizing notions of modernity, the contemporary world, and the relationship they entertain; provides foundational reading and critical thinking skills. (Fall) (Same as SOC 311)

312 The Anthropology of Children (3:3)

A cross-cultural and evolutionary approach to the study of childhood from conception to adolescence that incorporates the five field perspective of anthropology. (Alt Years)

315 World Ethnographies (3:3)

Examines the primary genre and practice of cultural anthropology—ethnography—through a range of geographically and thematically diverse texts.

325 Caribbean Societies and Cultures (3:3)

GE Marker: GL

Types of social systems and cultural patterns in the West Indies arising from relations between Europeans, West Africans, and Asians, with implications for development, social change, and identity.

330 Cultures of North American Indians (3:3)

GE Marker: GN

Traditional ways of life of indigenous people of North America.

331 Human Biological Variation (3:3)

Pr. ATY 253 or BIO 105 or BIO 111

Physical differences within and between human populations: their source and effect.

333 Latin American Societies and Cultures (3:3)

GE Marker: GN

Tribal and peasant groups with special emphasis on their place in contemporary Latin America.

334 Latin American Archaeology (3:3)

GE Marker: GN

Through archaeology this course examines the art, organization, and accomplishments of ancient Latin American societies that flourished before contact with European explorers in Mexico, Central America, and South America.

340 North American Archaeology (3:3)

A survey of the archaeological evidence of North American Indian culture, from earliest time to first European contact. (Alt Years)

341 Paleolithic Archaeology (3:3)

Pr. junior or senior standing

A survey of the archaeology of stone-tool-using peoples from the first Paleolithic cultures to the agricultural revolution. (Spring)

342 Experimental Course: Human Growth and Development (3:3)

Examines the bio-cultural perspective on human growth and development and the interaction between genes and the environment, from conception to adulthood, that produce the human phenotype. (Offered fall '07 and fall '10)

355 Medicine, Disease, and Slavery (3:3)

An interdisciplinary examination of the health of enslaved African Americans drawing from anthropology, history, biology, and medicine to comprehend how the interaction of environment, culture, and diet impacted Southern slaves. (Alt Fall)

357 Monkeys, Apes, and Humans (3:3)

An overview of primatology—the study of prosimians, monkeys, apes, and humans. Involves in-depth study of selected primates as well as discussion of major theoretical issues and ways in which the study of nonhuman primate behavior helps illuminate human evolutionary history.

359 Forensic Anthropology (4:3:3)

Coreq. ATY 359L

Methods of recovery and analysis of human remains in medicolegal contexts, including human and nonhuman skeletal material, decomposition, crime scene recovery, and skeletal signs of age, sex, and trauma. (Spring)

360 Methods in Archaeology (3:3)

Analysis and evaluation of methods, theories, and concepts necessary for recovery and interpretation of cultural information about past societies relevant for anthropological goals. Includes issues of historiography, epistemology, and ethics.

361 Methods in Biological Anthropology (4:3:3)

Pr. ATY 253 and 253L

Provides students with an understanding of the basic research techniques utilized by physical anthropologists through hands-on experience and an introduction to the literature in the field.

362 Methods in Cultural Anthropology (3:3)

This enthnographic methods course is designed to experience firsthand a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection and analysis traditionally used by cultural anthropologists. (Alt Spring) (Formerly ATY 476)

363 History of Anthropological Theory (3:3)

Not open to freshmen.

Developments in history of Western thought and study of culture leading to the emergence of anthropology as a scientific field. (Formerly ATY 411)

369 Statistics for Anthropology (3:3)

Pr. Anthropology (ANTH) or Humanities (SPLS) major

Validity and reliability, variables and constants, independence and dependence, scales, frequency distribution and graphs, variance of central tendency and dispersion, probability, hypothesis testing, difference between means, analysis of variance, comparison of samples, simple regression correlation analysis, and analysis of frequencies.

370 Historical Archaeology (3:3)

Basic introduction to historical archaeology method and theory. Historical archaeology is a multidisciplinary subfield of Anthropology covering the historic past through to the present.

378 Historical Archaeology Field Techniques (3:0:6)

Archaeological excavation of historic period sites. Techniques of excavation, recording, surveying, and artifact analysis.

385 Language and Culture (3:3)

GE Marker: GL

A survey of verbal and nonverbal behavior cross-culturally. Emphasis on the use of language in the speech community, gestures, body languages, expressive behavior, verbal art, and language learning.

410 Brave New Worlds: Biotechnology and Society (3:3)

Examines the interface between science and society, focusing on the sociopolitical import of emerging biotechnologies that impact people's lives—from issues of health and family to immigration and criminal justice. (Alt Fall) (Formerly ATY 310)

425 Experimental Course: The Beginning and the End: The Anthropology of Early Childhood and Old Age (3:3)

Pr. ATY 212 or 213 or permission of instructor

An examination of the culturally mediated experiences at the opposite ends of the human life span that includes cultural behaviors, traditions, beliefs, and intersections with relevant global health issues. (Offered fall '10)

434 Archaeology of South America (3:3)

Survey of the archaeology of South America from earliest evidence of human habitation up to the arrival of the Spanish. Emphasis placed on the Andean area of western South America.

440 Archaeological Perspectives on Migration and Diaspora (3:3)

Exploration of the effects of voluntary migration and enslavement in North America and portions of the Caribbean using archaeological evidence and interpretation. (Alt Fall)

442 Evolutionary Medicine (3:3)

Pr. ATY 253 or BIO 105 or BIO 111

Explores the evolution of chronic and infectious disease using an ecosystemic approach. Discusses theory involving host/pathogen "arms race," evolution of virulence, modes of transmission, and the discordance hypothesis.

449 Gender Archaeology (3:3)

Pr. ATY 363 or permission of instructor; not open to freshmen

Through material culture this course examines gender in prehistoric, classical, and historic societies as an integral aspect of human societies and the social relations in families, communities, and complex polities.

450 Anthropology in the Environment: Culture, Environment, and Adaptation (3:3)

Not open to freshmen or sophomores.

This course examines various theoretical approaches to human adaptation and the environment. Various ecological perspectives are used to examine the larger questions of social justice, culture preservation, and resource access. (Alt Spring)

455 Human Evolution (3:3)

Pr. ATY 253 or BIO 105 or BIO 111

Biological and cultural evolution of humans from prehuman forms. (Formerly ATY 555)

462 Archaeology of the Southeastern United States (3:3)

Investigation of Indian cultural development in the U. S. from the Mississippi River Basin to the Atlantic Coast, from earliest evidence to the European Contact Period, with special emphasis on the context of the East in the archaeology of North America and North Carolina.

465 An Overview of Medical Anthropology (3:3)

GE Marker: GN

Not open to freshmen and sophomores.

Explores multiple causes of disease and cultural variation in health practices. Topics include culture and political ecologies of disease, ethnomedical systems, and healers in cross-cultural perpectives. (Alt Fall)

477 Zooarchaeology (3:3)

Pr. ATY 258

The identification and analysis of animal bones in archaeological contexts.

478 Field Methods in Archaeology (3:3)

Pr. permission of instructor

Methods, techniques, and theories of archaeological field investigation. Includes site survey, mapping, systematic sampling, and controlled excavation.

479 Analysis of Archaeological Data (3:3)

Pr. permission of instructor

Instruction on proper treatment of material recovered through archaeological investigation. Includes classification, statistical manipulation of data, seriation, and analysis of spatial and temporal dimensions. Attention to special analytical techniques (e.g., C14 dating, chemical analysis, faunal analysis) with stress on ecological interpretation.

480 Ethnographic Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology (4:3:6)

Pr. permission of instructor

Course applies qualitative research techniques (fieldnotes, participant and casual observations, interviews, data interpretation), and statistical techniques that supplement ethnographic description and analysis at field sites. (Alt Summer)

481 Study Abroad Experience for Anthropology Majors (3)

Pr. permission of instructor

This course offers majors the opportunity to broaden their experience by studying anthropology in another country. Cross-cultural exchanges are designed to augment UNCG training. (Fall & Spring & Summer)

493 Honors Work (3–6)

Pr. permission of instructor; 3.30 GPA in the major, 12 s.h. in the major

May be repeated for credit if the topic of study changes.

 

497 Special Problems in Anthropology (1–3)

Pr. permission of instructor

Opportunity for students to have directed instruction on problems of special interest.

498 Special Problems in Anthropology (1–3)

Pr. permission of instructor

Opportunity for students to have directed instruction on problems of special interest.

499 Internship in Anthropology (3:1:6–12)

Pr. permission of instructor

Faculty supervised practicum experience in an off campus setting. Host organization will provide the student with applied experience directly relevant to a specific subfield of anthropology. (Fall & Spring & Summer)

Courses for Advanced Undergraduates & Graduate Students

500-level courses are not open to freshmen and sophomores.

501 Selected Topics in Anthropology (3:3)

Pr. permission of instructor

May be repeated for credit when topic varies.

Opportunity for advanced students to study in depth topic or issue of special interest.

502 Selected Topics in Anthropology (3:3)

Pr. permission of instructor

May be repeated for credit when topic varies.

Opportunity for advanced students to study in depth topic or issue of special interest.

520 Economic Anthropology (3:3)

An analysis of the economic organization of tribal and peasant peoples with special attention given to their participation in a world economy; emphasis is on economic models of social change.

523 Applied Archaeology: Shovel Bums to Managers (3:3)

Pr. not open to freshmen

Overview of theory and skills needed to work as an applied archaeologist in the public sector. Topics include cultural resource management and public outreach projects.

524 Applied Anthropology (3:3)

not open to freshmen or sophomores

Application of anthropological method and theory in situations of directed sociocultural change.

525 The Social Roots of Health and Disease (3:3)

Pr. minimum of junior standing or permission of instructor

Examination of the local and global processes that shape the current health environment in developing countries, drawing on work within social science and public health.

526 Anthropological Perspectives on Food and Agriculture (3:3)

Pr. not open to freshmen and sophomores

Examines the linkages among food producers, marketing strategies, and natural resource use in different cultures, and explores the influence of agriculture on society and the environment. (Alt Spring)

547 Myth, Magic, and Religion (3:3)

Examination of sacred and secular beliefs in cross-cultural perspective. Emphasis on symbols, ritual, and their functions.

553 Human Osteology: Description, Data Collection, and Analysis (3:2:3)

Pr. ATY 253 or BIO 105 or BIO 111

Detailed coverage of anatomical structures on bone and methods involving inventory, description, data collection, and analysis of human remains. Topics include functional and comparative skeletal anatomy, bone microstructure, and physiology.

557 Primate Behavior (3:3)

Pr. ATY 357 or 361

An overview of primatology and of methods for studying the behavior of prosimians, monkeys, and apes. Involves experience in data collection, computerized data analysis, and producing a scientific report.

559 Disease and Nutrition in Ancient Populations (3:3)

Pr. ATY 253 or NTR 213 or BIO 105 or BIO 111

Evaluation of past disease and nutritional status using skeletal remains and other tissues. Topics include differential diagnosis of pathology. Analysis of mummified material, and chemical methods of dietary reconstruction.

578 Research Methods in Historical Archaeology (3:3)

Pr. not open to freshmen and sophomores

Advanced training in research methods in Historic Archaeology, involving on-site training in field, laboratory, and library components of Historic Archaeology. (Same as HIS 578, IAR 578)

583 Culture and Society (3:3)

May not be taken for credit by students who have prior credit for ATY 213

Not open for credit to anthropology majors

Concepts of culture and society and their employment in understanding human behavior in a cross-cultural context.

589 Experimental Course: Political Violence and Its Aftermath (3:3)

Examines violent conflict, its causes and effects, as well as attempts to rebuild post-conflict societies, focusing on the lived experiences from examples such as the Holocaust, Rwanda, and former Yugoslavia. (Offered fall '09 and fall '10)

595 Contemporary Issues in Anthropology (3:3)

Pr. senior status

A capstone seminar focusing on current issues in various sub-fields of anthropology, how they relate to the discipline, and their significance to anthropology's role in the modern world.

597 Special Problems in Anthropology (3)

Pr. permission of instructor

Opportunity for advanced students to undertake independent study or research of special interest.

598 Special Problems in Anthropology (3)

Pr. permission of instructor

Opportunity for advanced students to undertake independent study or research of special interest.

Please refer to The Graduate School Bulletin for additional graduate-level courses.