ANTHROPOLOGY (AN)

1997-1998 Bulletin Information

For current bulletin information see www.southalabama.edu/bulletin

AN 100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 4 cr.
Introduces culture as a learned set of adaptive social arrangements whose structure can be viewed as a response to social and physical environmental pressures. This course explores the methods and theories involved in understanding human culture and emphasizes the importance of language as the primary means by which culture is transmitted from one generation to the next.

AN 101 Introduction to Archaeology and Physical 4 cr
Anthropology The place of people in nature; the origin, development, and differentiation of people as biological organisms; archaeological evidence of early human cultures; basic concepts and principles for understanding human cultures. Introduces students to the topics of evolution, genetics, and primates and integrates cultural aspects associated with early human development. The fundamental orientation and methods or archaeology are introduced and an overview of world prehistory presented.

AN 200 Language and Culture 4 cr
Brief introduction to descriptive and structural linguistics, language universals, classification of and processes of change in language, language and thought, social and cultural factors as expressed in language, origin of language, child language, and non-verbal communication. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 201 Introduction to Applied Anthropology 4 cr
Issues surrounding theory and method of applied anthropology. Ideas about the case-study method. Presentation and analysis of case studies concerning problems in development both domestic and in foreign settings, community health problems, and issues in public archaeology. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 205 Archaeological Method and Theory 4 cr
An introduction to the theoretical basis of archaeology, to the types of inferences drawn from material remains, and to procedures of recording, conserving, analyzing, and reporting archaeological findings. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 210 Physical Anthropology 4 cr
Course focuses on man as a biological being. Covers variation in modern human populations, as well as evolutionary trends as seen in fossil remains. Also studies nonhuman primates, such as the apes and monkeys. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 213 Archaeology of Ancient Civilizations 4 cr
An archaeological study of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and Mesoamerica. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 257 Magic and Religion 4 cr
Magic and religion studied as social and cultural institutions. Attention given to the social correlates and functions of magic and religion. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 290 Special Topics 1-4 cr
Different topics of anthropological importance will be studied as announced. This course may be taken twice for credit when content varies, but not for more than eight credits. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.
AN 313 New World Archaeology 4 cr
The evolution of Native American cultures, from the first arrival of humans across the Bering Straits land bridge to the European settlement of the New World. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 326 Social & Cultural Change 4 cr
This course is designed to familiarize students with major theories and processes of social change, the factors influencing social change, diffusion of innovations and adoption of new ideas and practices. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 335 Field Work in Archaeology 5 cr
Archaeological field and laboratory techniques include excavation, interpretation, and report preparation. Fee. Prerequisite: AN 101 and permission of instructor.

AN 340 North American Indians 4 cr
An ethnographic survey of native cultures of North America, including historical and modern groups. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 341 Indians of the Southeastern United States 4 cr
Discusses the aboriginal social, cultural and physical environment of the Southeastern United States. Uses archaeological and ethnohistorical accounts to recreate the social organization, material culture and life ways of these groups. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 343 Peoples and Cultures of Africa 4 cr
The description and location of aboriginal types of culture in Africa; stability and change in personality and culture in the post-contact period. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 344 Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia 4 cr
This course provides an anthropological assessment of the historical and political development of Southeast Asian societies, and an ethnographic survey of cultures in the region. Prerequisite: AN 100 or by Special Permission.

AN 347 Peoples and Cultures in Latin America 4 cr
The distribution and description of aboriginal culture-types of Middle and South America; stability and change in the post-contact period. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 354 Culture and Personality 4 cr
Interrelationships between culture and personality using a comparative approach and involving small- and large-scale societies; problems of investigating personality crossculturally. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 355 Gender and Anthropology 4 cr
This course provides an introduction to anthropological themes and debates in gender theory, including an ethnographic survey of women and men in a variety of cultures.

AN 356 Kinship and Social Organization 4 cr
Study of the range of variation in family and extended family relations. Marriage patterns and households residential variation are viewed in ecological perspective. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 357 Political Anthropology 4 cr
Variations in systems for maintaining social order and conformity are outlined. Political structures, authority and power are viewed in evolutionary perspective. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 358 Economic Anthropology 4 cr
An introduction to the range of economic organizations found in the world. Anthropological models of production and exchange are explored as are decision theoretic models. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 394 Directed Studies 1-4 cr
Supervised readings or projects. Prerequisite: Approval of departmental chair. No more than a total of four hours may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 435 Advanced Field Techniques in Archaeology 4 cr
Participant instruction for the advanced student in archaeological methods and techniques in both field and laboratory; course will include site survey, excavation, and analysis of artifacts. Fee. Prerequisites: AN 101 and AN 335.

AN 454 Anthropological Theory (W) 4 cr
A broad historical perspective of the development of methods and theories in anthropology from early precursors to modern times, with major emphasis on contemporary theoretical orientations. Prerequisite: AN 100.

AN 456 Health and Culture 4 cr
This course provides an overview of the fields of medical anthropology and medical sociology. It analyzes the ways in which health, illness, and healing are embedded in their cultural and social contexts, and analyzes healing practices and meanings attributed to health and illness in a variety of cultural and social settings. Prerequisites: AN 100 or by Special Permission.

AN 458 Ethnological Research Methods 4 cr
Methods and techniques used by ethnologists in the collection and interpretation of data; problems involved in cross-cultural research. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 490 Special Topics 1-4 cr
Different topics of anthropological importance will be studied as announced. This course may be taken for credit when the content varies; not more than eight credits will be acceptable. Prerequisite: Senior standing or above; a minimum of twelve hours of anthropology above 300 level; or permission of department chair.

AN 492 Senior Seminar 4 cr
Course specifically designed for majors in their senior year. Some topical aspect of the discipline will be analyzed. Prerequisite: AN 100 or 101.

AN 496 Anthropology Internship 4-12 cr
Provides an opportunity to combine academic principles with practical experiences in an agency dealing with human relationships, cultural resources, or primate research. Specifics of the assignment result from a mutual agreement among student, course director and agency. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours of credit. Prerequisite: Advanced standing in Anthropology major and permission of course director.

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