You are in the official 2002-2003 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Anthropology
Department of Anthropology
COURSES
Anthropology (ANTH)
A. The Core Curriculum
1. Introduction to Physical Anthropology (3)
Examines the biological basis of being human. Compares humans with what are thought to be primate relatives. Traces speculated evolution of species from four-million-year-old
australopithecines to try to account for the great anatomical and biochemical
diversity among modern human populations. (CAN ANTH 2)
2. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Examines the nature of culture,
humanity's unique mechanism for adapting to the changing environment.
Explores the varieties of human life and explains how culture
has made possible the range of different and successful societies,
from hunters and gatherers to industrial civilization. G.E. Breadth
D3. (CAN ANTH 4)
3. Introduction to Prehistory and Physical Anthropology
(3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Examines the biological and
cultural basis of being human. Compares us with our primate relatives,
traces the biological and cultural evolution of our species from
earliest ancestors, through the development of agriculture to
the emergence of civilization. G.E. Breadth D3.
100. Concepts and Applications (3)
This foundation course demonstrates the use of selected core concepts
within the context of a defined research project which the students
carry out during the semester. Acquaints students with the conceptual
framework of the discipline and the basic processes of anthropological
inquiry. (Formerly ANTH 103)
101A. Introductory Fieldwork in Archaeology (6)
An introduction to basic methods and strategies for archeological
excavation and site survey. The course will involve a commitment
by students of a block of time in the field away from campus.
101B. Advanced Fieldwork in Archaeology (6)
Advanced methods and strategies for archeological excavation
and site survey. The course will involve a commitment by students
of a block of time in the field away from campus.
104. History and Theory of Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: ANTH 2. A history of the growth of anthropological
thought through an analysis of the informational and explanatory
powers of five major theoretical schools: Nineteenth-century Evolutionists,
British Functionalists, Boasian Historical Particularists, Neo-Evolutionists/Marxists,
and Cognitivists.
111A. Introduction to Ethnographic Fieldwork (3)
An introduction to methods of ethnographic field methods,
including participant observation, interviewing, and the use of
audiovisual media. Topics include the ethics of fieldwork, organizing
data, and ethnographic writing. Students will conduct short fieldwork
assignments on cultural and linguistic topics in the local area.
(Formerly ANTH 101)
111B. Intermediate Ethnographic Fieldwork (3)
Prerequisite ANTH 111A. Students conduct an enthnographic
field project under the direction of the instructor, employing
methods such as participant observation, interviewing, and audiovisual
media. The course involves field trips and may include weekend
sessions.
111C. Advanced Ethnographic Fieldwork (3)
Prerequisite ANTH 111B. Students continue work on an ethnographic
field project begun in ANTH 111B. Under the direction of the instructor,
students employ methods such as participant observation, interviewing,
and audiovisual media. Students produce a substantial written
review combining secondary sources with their own data.
195. Colloquium (1)
Each spring semester students and department faculty will meet
three times to discuss current problems in the field of anthropology.
These three hour seminars will be led by a faculty member. Students
will be expected to do all assigned readings and complete a paper
on one of the topics discussed.
B. CULTURAL Curriculum
30. Critical Thinking in Anthropology (3)
Distinguish belief vs. knowledge and fact vs. opinion; examine
relationship between language/logic; use inductive/deductive reasoning;
recognize informal/formal fallacies; appreciate socio-cultural
context of critical thinking. These skills are applied to topics
of race/intelligence, religion/values, and social policy. Skills
demonstrated/assessed through oral and written performance. G.E.
Foundation A3.
102. Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology (3)
A compendium of current thinking on language and culture from
a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. Examines the nature
of language, language description, language and worldview, gendered
speech, ethnicity and language, power and performance, verbal
and nonverbal art, and associated theories and research methods.
105W. Applied Anthropology (3)
Prerequisite: satisfactory completion (C or better) of ENGL 1
graduation requirement, to be taken no sooner than the term in
which 60 units are completed. Examination and assessment of the
use of anthropological data and concepts to address contemporary
issues in education, health care, law, environmental planning,
and social services. Students work on applied problems and write
observations, plans, reports, and research documents geared to
the needs of professionals, service providers, and particularly
planners in modern institutional contexts. (Formerly ANTH 144W)
111B-S. Intermediate Ethnographic Fieldwork (3)
Prerequisite: ANTH 111A. Students conduct a public service ethnographic
field project under the direction of the instructor, employing
methods such as participant observation, interviewing, and audiovisual
media. Involves field trips and may include weekend sessions.
111C-S. Advanced Ethnographic Fieldwork (3)
Prerequisite: ANTH 111B or 111B-S. Involves continued work on
ethnographic field project begun in ANTH 111B or 111B-S, employing
various research methods. Includes producing a substantial final
paper with a focus on public service applications of their findings.
115. Ethnography (3)
An examination of contemporary issues in anthropology based on
evidence from both classical and modern ethnographies. Considers
strategies of qualitative research and reporting, including ethics
and the application of enthographic research in modern societies.
(Formerly ANTH 129T)
116W. Anthropology of Religion (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D, satisfactory
completion (C or better) of the ENGL 1 graduation requirement,
to be taken no sooner than the term in which 60 units are completed.
Examines the patterned belief systems of the world's tribal, peasant,
and sectarian societies. Stresses the role of religion in individual
and group perception, cognition, ritual, and social organization.
Topics include myth, magic, shamanism, mysticism, witchcraft,
trance, hallucinogens, and cultism. Meets the upper-division writing
skills requirement for graduation. G.E. Integration ID. (Formerly
ANTH 150W)
117. Folk Medicine (3)
A cross-cultural examination of health practices and of the cultural
assumptions and attitudes on which they are based. Reviews ethnomedicine,
ethnopsychiatry, and epidemiology in the health care systems of
non-Westerners and of ethnic communities in pluralistic America.
(Formerly ANTH 155)
118. Women: Culture and Biology (3)
(Same as WS 170.) A cross-cultural and interdisciplinary analysis
of the determinants of female statuses and circumstances. Examines
theories, including biological and cultural determinism, which
explain variations in the expression of sexuality, maturation,
reproduction, and the life cycle. (Formerly ANTH 170)
119. Law and Culture (3)
A comparative, holistic perspective on the evolution of law. Examines
its natures and origins, the basic assumptions behind legal systems,
their cross-cultural expression and effects, and the directionality
of legal evolution. (Formerly ANTH 146)
120. Ethnic Relations and Cultures (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. The cultural
and social origins of ethnicity, and its opportunities and problems
for contemporary mass societies. Offers a critical review of major
theories on ethnic politics, economics, and ideology in the light
of cross-cultural evidence. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.
(Formerly ANTH 172)
123. Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia (3)
An introductory survey of the cultural and historical adaptations
of societies in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam;
and of Insular societies in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Examines the major effects of culture contact between East and
West.
124. Peoples and Cultures of East Asia (3)
Examines cultural pluralism. Considers cultural adaptations and
change among minorities such as Moslems, Tibetans, and Mongolians
in China, and ethnic groups of Japan and Korea. Outlines kinship,
religion, organization, and technological factors in the Asiatic
culture complex.
125. Tradition and Change in China and Japan (3)
(Same as HUM 140.) Examines the current aspirations and problems
of the Chinese and Japanese in terms of their traditional cultures,
and explains how their histories, values, world views, and intellectual
traditions affect their lifestyles and their international relations
today. (Formerly ANTH 186)
126. Cultures and Foods of East
Asia (3)
(Same as ASAM 151.) Treats cuisine as a systematic product of
the interaction between culture and ecology. Focuses on sociocultural
rather than bio-nutritional factors in the preparation and ritual
implications of food in Mainland and Insular Asia. Students learn
to prepare and serve a variety of Oriental dishes. (Formerly ANTH
181)
130. Peoples and Cultures of the Southwest (3)
A survey of Native American cultures of the Southwestern United
States and Northwestern Mexico from their prehistoric origins
to the present. Emphasis is placed on cultural continuity and
change during the past 400 years of contact with western culture.
(Formerly ANTH 127)
138T. Topics in Cultural Anthropology (1-6; max total 12
if no topic repeated)
Prerequisite: varies with title. Special studies in the theory
and practice of organized cooperation and conflict in nature and
culture. (Formerly ANTH 149T)
C. ARCHAEOLOGY Curriculum
101A-S. Introductory Fieldwork in Archeology (6)
Introduces basic methods and strategies for archaeological
excavation and site survey in a public service context. Involves
a commitment by students to a block time in the field away from
campus.
101B-S. Advanced Fieldwork in Archeology (6)
Advanced methods and strategies for archaelogical excavation
and site survey in a public service context. Involves a commitment
by students to a block of time in the field away from campus.
140. Contemporary Archaeology (3)
Examines archaeological theory (both historical and contemporary)
as well as methods and techniques used by archaeologists to gather,
analyze, and interpret data. (Formerly ANTH 106)
141. Prehistory of North America (3)
Traces the development of Native American cultures from the Arctic
to Mesoamerica, from the peopling of the continent to early historic
times. Examines the archaeological evidence for the antiquity,
spread, and variation of cultural adaptations to changing ecological
conditions. (Formerly ANTH 131)
142. Old World Prehistory (3)
Examination of current knowledge of the prehistory of one area
of the Old World. Chronologies, current findings, and important
issues in theory method are reviewed. Consideration of these matters
in relation to work in archaeology throughout the world and to
work in closely related disciplines such as biology and geology.
Some historic archaeology may also be included. Areas include
Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. (Formerly
ANTH 132)
143. Archaeology and Prehistory of California (3)
Origins and prehistory of the California Native Americans. Examination
of the archaeological record, both statewide and regionally, with
emphasis on adaptations to natural and social environments from
12,000 B.P. until early historic times. (Formerly ANTH 139T)
145. Cultural Resources Management (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Provides an
in-depth overview of historic and prehistoric cultural resources
(districts, sites, buildings, and objects), their significance,
and their management in the U.S. Topics include the legal context
for CRM, identifying and evaluating cultural resources, assessing
effects, treatment planning, and careers in CRM. G.E. Integration
ID. (Formerly ANTH 139T)
159T. Topics in Archaeology (1-6; max total 12 if no topic
repeated)
Prerequisite: varies with title. Special studies in archaeological
methods, techniques, history and theory, or of prehistoric culture
areas not covered in the regular curriculum. (Formerly ANTH 139T)
D. PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY CURRICULUM
161. Bio/Behavioral Evolution of the Human Species (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area B. Examines the
evolution of the human species and its relationship to living
and extinct primates. Explores the biological basis of human culture.
Integrates evolutionary biology, geochronology, and anthropology
in order to understand the bio/behavioral nature of modern man.
G.E. Integration IB.
162. Primates (3)
An introduction to the study of primate biological and behavioral
evolution. Explores sociobiological theory in order to explain
the unity and diversity of social behavior in prosimians, monkeys,
and apes.
163. Human Variation (3)
A cross-cultural examination of variations in human morphology,
physiology, and biochemistry. Establishes the correlation between
variations in human biology and variations in climate, culture,
nutrition, and disease.
164. Human Osteology (3)
Introduces a range of analytic techniques for extracting information
from human skeletal remains: sexing and aging, osteometry, odontometry,
the examination and diagnosis of epigenetic traits and pathological
lesion, and the statistical interpretation of skeletal data.
169T. Topics in Physical Anthropology (1-6; max total 12
if no topic repeated)
Special studies of the discovery and interpretation of information
in physical anthropology, and of the application of this subdiscipline
in legal, medical, and scientific research.
E. ADVANCED STUDY CURRICULUM
190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement - Independent
Study. Approved for SP grading.
192. Directed Readings (1-3; max total 3)
Supervised reading on a student-selected topic outside the regular
curriculum, conducted through regular consultation with a faculty
sponsor.
193. Internships in Anthropology (1-6; max total 6)
Interns will work on a variety of tasks involving the analysis
and curation of archaeological collections; design and curation
of museum displays; the collection and analysis of physical anthropological
data, including working with primates at local zoos; and ethnographic
data collection. CR/NC grading only. (Formerly ANTH 109)
194. Honors Thesis (1-3; max total 3)
Development of a student report or paper into a manuscript of
professional and publishable quality. Requires approval by an
Honors Committee of three faculty members. (Formerly ANTH 199)
197T. Current Topics in Anthropology (1-6; max total 12
if no topic repeated)
Subject matter of these courses combines topics from the various
subfields of anthropology, providing the student with a more integrated
view of the discipline.
Anthropology
Degrees