ANTH 1000 - Introduction to Anthropology

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify the four primary subfields of anthropology and recognize essential methodology for each.
2. Discuss the concept of culture and be able to identify and interpret varied global cultural behaviors.
3. Recognize and utilize anthropological vocabulary to explain cultural behavior. This may include kinship terminology, status markers, gender markers, etc.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of human genetics and describe the processes involved in human biological diversity.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Using Punnet squares or a parallel methodology, determine the possibility of various genetic outcomes for individuals.
2. Illustrate the biological makeup of genetic material within a human cell.
3. Describe and discuss the various methods by which genetic changes can affect whole populations.
4. Identify the social concerns arising from contemporary advances in genetic science.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to interpret the theory of human evolution within the context of current archaeological material.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Describe historical world views of the position of humankind within a natural environment.
2. Explain the theory of evolution and natural selection.
3. Identify and discuss the paleontological evidence for human evolution and the ancestry of humankind.
4. Compare and contrast human behavior with that of the living primates.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to employ knowledge of cultural relativism to explain cultural diversity among peoples.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify and discuss cultural and logistical aspects of several contemporary non-Western cultures.
2. Discuss contemporary issues for these cultures - the effects of globalization, contact with other cultures, and political and social homogenization.
3. Discuss and interpret cultural behaviors which may conflict with their own cultural moral code.

Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to examine contemporary issues from an anthropological perspective.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Interpret data and formulate an informed opinion through research and report production on contemporary cultural issues such as marriage practices, child rearing, euthanasia, drug use, etc.
2. Compare and contrast opposing theories of the validity of evolutionary science.
3. Discuss and analyze controversial issues arising from scientific and social changes in society.

Outcome 6: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills as applied to anthropology.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Compare and contrast current cultural practices, both western and non-western, with each other and with past cultures.
2. Analyze inter-cultural behaviors such as, for example, artifact typologies, religious practices, marriage customs, burial practices, etc. to gain a more complete picture of the people and their belief systems.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. The Nature of Anthropology
   1. Development of anthropology
   2. The uniqueness of anthropology
   3. Uses of anthropology as applied science.
   4. The “four fields”
   5. Methods of studying the human past; Ethnography
2. Human Evolution
   1. Evolutionary theory
   2. Evolutionary mechanisms; Human variation
   3. Primate evolution
3. Evolution of Homo and the Development of Culture
   1. The earliest hominids
   2. Early Homo and cultural origins
   3. Homo erectus and hunting-gathering
   4. Archaic Homo sapiens and the Middle Paleolithic
   5. Homo sapiens and the Later Paleolithic
   6. The Neolithic Revolution
   7. The Urban Revolution and the rise of the State
4. The Nature of Culture
   1. The cultural concept
   2. Characteristics of culture
   3. Functions of culture
   4. Personality and cultural
   5. Cultural change and survival
5. Cultural Variation
   1. Marriage and family
   2. Kinship and descent
   3. Gender
   4. Religion and the supernatural; The modern world system