Current Undergraduate Courses

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Summer 1 and Fall, 2022

In this course students examine the nature of cultural variation of populations in the present and recent past. Its subjects include social, political, economic, and ideological aspects of human cultures.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Summer 1 and Fall, 2022

This lecture and accompanying laboratory course examine fundamental aspects of the biological nature of humans. Course content is divided into topics devoted to explaining the scientific method, evolutionary theory, genetics, speciation, variation and adaptation, nonhuman primates, and human evolution.

Field | Archaeology
Term | Summer 2 and Fall, 2022

This lecture and accompanying laboratory course examine the basic principles of archaeology. It includes a study of the kinds of sites; classification of stone artifacts; methods of archaeological survey and excavation; methods of dating by geological, faunal, and radiometric means; and the theoretical approach to archaeology.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course offers tutelage in professional scholarly writing, word processing software, library research, scientific and ethnographic writing styles, and effective use of anthropological literature. Because it provides core skills presupposed by advanced anthropology courses, students should enroll in it alongside their first writing-intensive anthropology electives.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course surveys the breadth of careers open to people holding anthropology degrees. Issues discussed include professional ethics, specialized skill sets, the transferable skills of liberal arts degrees, broad trends in the labor market, and steps toward pursuing relevant careers.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course is an ethnographically-based analysis of major theoretical positions and debates in contemporary anthropology.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Summer 1 and Fall 2022

This course provides an introduction to the study of linguistic anthropology. We will focus on the origin of language and its evolution and diversity, the interactions between language, culture and society, and modes of communication. This course will enhance a student’s awareness of the complex interrelationships between language and other aspects of culture.

Field | Archaeology
Term | Summer 2, 2022

An examination of magic and religion in cultures of the world with an emphasis on recent works dealing with mysticism and the occult.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course presents a survey of the prehistoric human record throughout the world. It focuses upon the achievements of early and modern humans, world colonization events, and the development of complex societies.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course discusses the impact of evolutionary discourse within the context of its history. Students will develop a thorough understanding of evolution and its importance to anthropology, as well as to other scientific disciplines.

Field | Archaeology
Term | Fall 2022

This course presents an understanding of Aztec culture through archaeology, the interpretation of art, religion, and architecture, and the formation of a highly specialized and stratified society with an imperial administration. The course will emphasize an intellectual and religious outlook in intimate contact with the earth, sky, and the seasons.

Field | Archaeology
Term | Fall 2022

This course will present our current understanding of Texas archaeology. The environmental and social contexts of prehistoric, protohistoric, and historic records of Native American and Spanish occupations in Texas are discussed.

Prerequisites: ANTH 2415 with a grade of "D" or better.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

In this course students focus on the life history of humans from birth to death, and consider how humans grow and change both biologically and psychologically over the course of their lives. Topics include life stages, sex differences, nutrition, environment, growth disorders, and the evolution of human growth.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course is a general introduction to the contemporary peoples and cultures of Africa. Students will examine the social structure, economy, political systems, and religions of African cultures in the context of the radical economic and social transformations affecting the area.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

An examination of the history and culture of Mexican Americans with an emphasis on the analytical concepts of culture, race, class, and gender. Lectures, films, and selected readings (including chapters from anthropological and literary books and journals) will be used to portray the diversity of Mexican American experiences in this country. Topics include religion, politics, economy, identity politics, popular culture, sexuality, marriage and the family.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

An examination of the long and diverse record of human and nonhuman biological adaptations as viewed from the fossil record. It examines the functional and ecological challenges that may have been responsible for the path of human development.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

In this course, students will learn about the behavior, ecology and conservation of nonhuman primates (lemurs, lorises, monkeys, and apes).

Field | Archaeology
Term | Fall 2022

This course examines the development of culture from early hunters and gatherers through the appearance of agriculture to the rise of civilization. The focus of the course is on the emergence of complex society among groups such as the Olmec, Aztec, and Maya.

Field | Archaeology
Term | Fall 2022

This course examines the cultures of the Andes Region of South America with an emphasis on pre-Columbian and contemporary peoples of the area.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course is designed to give students an anatomical background to the study of human evolution with a focus on the comparative anatomy of apes, living humans, and fossil hominins.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Summer 2 and Fall 2022

Forensic Anthropology is the recovery and analysis of human skeletal remains for modern legal inquiry. This course is an overview of the field of Forensic Anthropology illustrated with real forensic cases.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Summer 2, 2022

This course consists of a definition of civilization and its components, its geographic setting, and the roles of religion, art, and the institution of the “Divine King” in the development of dynamic state societies in Egypt, Sumeria, the Indus Valley, and China in the Old World and that of the Olmec in Mexico and Chavin in Peru.

Field | Cultural Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course teaches students how to conduct field research in cultural anthropology. Topics include research ethics, problem formulation, participant observation, interviewing, and other techniques for data collection and analysis. Students will conduct their own field research project under the instructor’s supervision.

Field | Biological Anthropology
Term | Fall 2022

This course is for students who wish to advance their osteological skills. Students will learn how to identify isolated and fragmentary skeletal remains to estimate age, sex, ancestry, stature, and health of an individual in past and present contexts.