Anthropology Courses
ANTH1XX. Anthropology Elective
ANTH200. Cultural Anthropology
Engages students in Cultural Anthropology as a distinctive activity comprising a uniquely valuable understanding of humanity from the broadest possible perspective and knowledge of cultural diversity, change, and possibility. Trains students as practitioners to be fieldworkers, intellectuals, writers and advocates by employing an understanding of adaptive cultural processes to address contemporary problems in a globalizing world. 3 credits. FHCI, WI.
ANTH202. Archaeology
This course introduces students to the theories and methods of archaeological research. Topics covered in this course include oral communication in archaeology, scientific enquiry in archaeological investigation, the history of archaeology, natural and cultural transformation processes, geophysical methods of site identification, relative and chronometric dating techniques, settlement analysis, burial analysis, environmental reconstruction, artifact analysis, bioarcheology, cognitive archaeology, archaeological theory and cultural resources management. Case studies will be used to illustrate how the application of information gleaned through archaeological enquiry has relevance to significant contemporary issues with regard to social, cultural, and/or ethical considerations. 3 credits. SI, FSRC.
ANTH203. Physical Anthropology
An analysis of prehistoric and contemporary humans as physical organisms. The study of human origins and evolution from 5 million years ago to the present. The study of variation in human populations in characteristics such as skin color, blood type, susceptibility to diseases, and adaptations to extremes of cold, heat, and altitude. 3 credits.
ANTH204. Language and Culture
The analysis of language with stress on the dependence of language upon its sociological context. A survey of linguistic variability, social dialectology, language change, and ethnolinguistic analysis. 3 credits.
ANTH210. Folklore
The oral techniques used in literate and non-literate cultures to pass traditions from generation to generation. The forms and functions of folktales, proverbs, curses, folk-songs, riddles, ceremonies, folk art, and games in Western and non-Western culture. 3 credits.
ANTH212. Archaeology of Virginia
This course is designed to give students an overview of the archaeology of the Commonwealth of Virginia from its Pleistocene-era settlement to the present day. Includes hunter-forager cultural ecology, agricultural adoption, chiefdom emergence, Native American responses to colonialism, European settlement efforts, the development of plantations, enslaved and free African Americans, urban settlements, and military sites. 3 credits.
ANTH280. Archaeological Laboratory Meth
Archaeological Laboratory Methods. This course provides a basic introduction to archaeological laboratory methods as well as illustration. Instruction in the essential elements of any archaeological lab will provide the student with the necessary knowledge to undertake the basic organization and analysis of data recovered from an archaeological site. 3 credits.
ANTH295. Special Topics
Selected topics from Anthropology. The topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 3 credits.
ANTH296. Field Methods in Archaeology
The skills necessary to excavate historic and prehistoric sites and to recognize and recover archaeological artifacts. The site work consists of learning the techniques of excavation, mapping, soil analysis, the recovery, washing and analysis of prehistoric stone tools and historic artifacts, and the interpretation of stratigraphy. Offered during summer session. 6 credits.
ANTH312. People of the African Diaspora
This course explores the patterns of dispersal of African peoples around the world, the kinds of diasporic identities these populations developed in their new locations, and to what extent did they maintain linkages with Africa through demographic, cultural, economic, political, ideological, and iconographic flows. Distinctions are drawn between the "historic" and "contemporary" or "new" African diasporas, referring respectively to diasporas formed before and during the twentieth century. 3 credits.
ANTH314. Indians of North America
Descriptions, comparisons, and analysis of past and present Indian cultures. Possible origins of the various North American Indian tribes will also be discussed and will be supported by the use of archaeological and linguistic data. 3 credits.
ANTH316. People of Africa
An analysis of the human cultures of pre-historic and contemporary Africa. Archaeological and linguistic data will be used to trace the biological and cultural relationships among contemporary African societies. 3 credits.
ANTH317. Peoples of the Pacific
Historical and contemporary descriptions of the varieties of peoples and cultures in Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. 3 credits.
ANTH318. Moundbuilder Cultures of E US
This course presents an overview of Moundbuilder cultures of the Eastern United States. The course will examine the social, political, economic and other cultural factors that led to the rise and fall of the various Moundbuilders civilizations. Students will learn about these cultures through the textbook materials as well as experientially through site visits to a cross section of archaeological sites in the Southern Unites States. 3 Credits.
ANTH321. Supernatural Belief Systems
An investigation of the social aspects of religion, its forms of organization, and its relationships to other institutions. 3 credits.
ANTH325. Gender and Society
This course provides an examination of the social construction of gender and the social organization of gender inequality, as well as an analysis of gender identity in socialization, interpersonal behavior, the family, the media, and the economy. 3 credits.
ANTH351. Archaeology Engl Prhst Roman
This course presents an overview of England through the eyes of archaeology and anthropology, from 5,000 years before the present to 1500 AD. The materials employed in this course include library and archival sources, archaeological artifacts, physical anthropological specimens, and examination of field excavation sites. 3 credits.
ANTH352. Historical Archaeology
This course explores the development of historical archaeology as a unique discipline and the varied methodologies and theoretical approaches practiced by historical archaeologists. Issues include critical assessment of data and methods, race, class, gender and ethnic identities in the archaeological record, and presenting findings to the public. Pre-requisite: ANTH 202 3 credits.
ANTH355. The Community
Review of theories of community and analysis of representative community studies. 3 credits.
ANTH390. Directed Study
Individualized study. Must be approved by the head of the department. May be repeated as ANTH 391. 1-18 credits.
ANTH395. Special topics
Selected topics in Anthropology. The topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 3 credits.
ANTH403. Forensic Anthropology
This course presents an in-depth examination of forensic anthropological methods of recovery and interpretation of human remains. Students will develop a general knowledge and understanding of the human skeleton and skeletal evidence for determination of age, sex, stature and indications of occupational markers on the skeleton. Students will also learn to discern skeletal indications of antemortem, perimortem and postmortem trauma. Prerequisite: ANTH 203. 3 Credits.
ANTH410. Research Methods in Cult Anthr
The methods employed by anthropologists in their gathering and analysis of material of the behavior of people living in other cultures. Methods surveyed include participant observation, analysis of speech patterns, collection of genealogies, mapping, collection of oral histories, semantic analysis and the eliciting of symbol systems. 3 credits.
ANTH440. Adv Arch & Cult Res Mngmt
This course provides students with in-depth exposure to advanced archaeological practices such as the development of research proposals, pre-excavation planning, excavation management, surveying methods involving a transit or theodolite, mapping, photography, and computer applications in archaeology. Students will also be involved in preparations for upcoming projects to be conducted by the Longwood Archaeology Field School. All of the techniques and methods will be considered within the framework of Cultural Resource Management laws and practices at the local, state, and federal level. Pre-requisite: ANTH 202 3 credits.
ANTH460. Anthropological Theory
The history of theory and models in anthropology. An overview of the intellectual "schools" which have affected research in the past and a survey of present models in anthropological thinking. 3 credits.
ANTH461. Senior Seminar Anthropology
A seminar for senior anthropology majors, designed to integrate knowledge of specific subfields into a comprehensive view of anthropology and its role in relation to other sciences. Open only to senior anthropology majors. 3 credits.
ANTH490. Directed Independent Study
Individualized study. Must be approved by the head of the department. 1-18 credits.
ANTH492. Internship in Anthropology
Directed student learning in applied settings, that permits a practiced, supervised experience. Students learn through performance in meaningful tasks in a variety of social environments. May be repeated. Prerequisite: 18 hours of anthropology. Student's cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or above to be eligible for internship. Must be arranged in advance with program director or department chair. Variable credit: 1-15 hours per semester.
ANTH495. Special Topics
Selected topics in Anthropology. The topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 3 credits.
ANTH496. Org Execution Arch Fieldwrk
The Organization and Execution of Archaeological Fieldwork. Advanced students with experience in basic field methods in archaeology learn the skills necessary to organize and supervise the execution of archaeological excavations. Students will serve as assistants to the Director of an ongoing excavation and will aid in the design of the field strategy, intra-site sampling techniques, site mapping, and artifact and feature plotting and recording. Offered during summer session. 6 credits.
ANTH496. Org Execution Arch Fieldwrk
The Organization and Execution of Archaeological Fieldwork. Advanced students with experience in basic field methods in archaeology learn the skills necessary to organize and supervise the execution of archaeological excavations. Students will serve as assistants to the Director of an ongoing excavation and will aid in the design of the field strategy, intra-site sampling techniques, site mapping, and artifact and feature plotting and recording. Offered during summer session. 6 credits.
ANTH498. Senior Thesis in Anthropology
Students conduct an in-depth project in Anthropology under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. May be repeated as 499. 3 credits.
ANTH499. Senior Thesis in Anthropology
Students conduct an in-depth project in anthropology under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. 3 credits.
