Department of Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human in the broadest sense, through an examination of culture and society (sociocultural and linguistic anthropology), the biology and evolution of humans and our closest relatives (biological anthropology) and the study of past human communities and material culture (archaeology). Students develop an appreciation of the value of physical and cultural differences at the local, national and global levels and learn critical thinking skills that support them in careers that involve working with individuals of diverse national or ethnic backgrounds.
The aim of the anthropology major is to provide a background in behavioral studies for students who desire a broad education in the biological and social sciences. Anthropology majors can obtain research experience in science and the humanities through ethnographic or biological research or archaeology field schools. Most undergraduates in anthropology at Texas A&M select this major because of the opportunity it affords them to acquire a sound holistic education.
The curriculum is ideal for students who want to pursue professional careers or graduate study in anthropology and archaeology. However, students will also find the curriculum fully suitable to prepare them for employment opportunities or careers in secondary or higher education; medicine; law; museum and foundation settings; the local, state and federal government (such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Institute of Health and others); non-governmental organizations and nonprofit organizations; foreign service with government agencies (such as the Agency for International Development, United Nations organizations and others); private archaeological research institutions; and nontraditional opportunities emerging in business and management.
Anthropology (ANTH)
ANTH 201 Introduction to Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
(ANTH 2346, HUMA 2323) Introduction to Anthropology. COURSE OVERVIEW. Investigates anthropology as the holistic and relativistic study of humankind, exploring human life across diverse cultures, time periods and geographical locations. Examines the discipline through its four major subfields: archaeology (the study of material culture and the past), biological anthropology (the study of human evolution and variation), sociocultural anthropology (the study of cultural systems and social organization) and linguistic anthropology (the study of language construction and symbolism). Applies fundamental concepts, including the scientific method and evolutionary theory, to complex human experiences. Develops abilities in critical thinking, analysis of empirical data and effective communication, engaging with culturally diverse and sometimes controversial subjects. Analyzes the discipline’s relationship with society and its impact on global communities over time. TOPICS AND THEMES. Explores human evolutionary history, including primate behavior and hominin development; analyzes the history of human biological variation and the lack of a scientific basis for "race"; examines material culture, ancient civilizations and archaeological methods; studies language construction, symbolism and communication patterns; investigates social organization, including kinship, family, marriage and gender; explores economic systems, political structures, religion and belief systems; and applies anthropological thinking to contemporary issues such as, but not limited to, health, medicine, forensics, violence and global challenges. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world; also taught at Qatar campus.
ANTH 202 Introduction to Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
(ANTH 2302) Introduction to Archaeology. COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines the basic principles of studying past human cultures through material remains. Surveys the fundamentals of archaeological practice and frameworks, applying interdisciplinary methods to reconstruct and interpret the archaeological record. Engages with written, oral and visual communication of archaeological data. Develops an understanding of how cultures adapt and change through time and across space. Engages critical thinking skills in evaluation of evidence and synthesis of different types of information. Introduces careers in anthropology and archaeology and the skills needed for them. TOPICS AND THEMES. Interdisciplinary nature of archaeological research. Site formation, survival and identification. Field and laboratory methods including survey, excavation, recording, curation and various types of analysis including dating methods. Relationships between humans and environments. Human evolution and behavior including past movement, subsistence strategies, foraging strategies, trade, tool production and development, sedentism, symbolic and ritual behaviors, domestication, city and state formation and reconstruction of past social and individual identities. Archaeological ethics, the role of archaeology in contemporary society and heritage management. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 204 The Human Past
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the development of human societies and world prehistory from the earliest humans to the emergence of complex civilizations. Applies archaeological and historical methods and theories used to reconstruct past lifeways including culture, identity, migration and social development. Engages with written, oral and visual communication of archaeological and historical data. Develops an understanding of how cultures adapt and change through time and across space. Engages critical thinking skills in evaluation of evidence and synthesis of different types of information. Introduces ideas of personal and social responsibility and the skills needed for careers in anthropology and archaeology. TOPICS AND THEMES. Human evolution and migration. Human relationships with the environment including climate change, subsistence strategies, extinction events, domestication and agriculture. Production, evolution and spread of material culture. Symbolic and ritual behavior. Development of sedentism, complex societies, urbanism, collective labor, written language, monument building, early states and empires. Discussion of individual and social identity, individual agency, archaeological ethics and the role of archaeology in contemporary society. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology.
ANTH 205 Peoples and Cultures of the World
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys human cultures around the world using case studies of customs and cultural organization. Explores how anthropology is a holistic discipline focused on all of humanity, which integrates knowledge from diverse fields like history, economics, psychology, sociology and traditional sciences. Explores global interconnectedness alongside cultural diversity, addressing questions of "us and them". Develops a greater understanding of the breadth of variation in the human condition and the power of culture to shape individual experience. Recognizes the trade-offs between cultural relativist and universalist perspectives. Gains cultural awareness to inform future evaluations of domestic and global issues. Practices communicating opinions in a culturally respectful manner. Relates outcomes of cultural study to one’s understanding of one’s own culture. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. TOPICS AND THEMES. Analyzes key anthropological concepts, including fieldwork, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, holism and ethnography. Considers human universals and cultural uniqueness. Studies cultural expressions related to basic perceptions (color, space, distance) and the body (beauty standards, adornment, modification). Explores systems of social organization, including gender, sports, games, communication, gestures and greetings. Investigates cultural practices concerning food, eating, reciprocity, trade, etiquette, folklore and magic. Examines cultural approaches to death, dying, medicine, illness and health.
ANTH 210 Social and Cultural Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
(ANTH 2351) Social and Cultural Anthropology. COURSE OVERVIEW. Provides overview of the field of social and cultural anthropology, exploring the diverse ways that human cultures shape experience across the globe, and the anthropological theory and research that attempt to understand this process. Through an exploration of different cultures, examines the major dimensions of cultural variation, including subsistence, family structure, political systems, language, religion and more. Fosters critical evaluation of cultural theories and different perspectives while promoting respectful discussion of complex and provocative topics. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. TOPICS AND THEMES. Key themes include culture, ethnographic methodology and the tension between relativist and universalist perspectives. Additional topics include kinship, family structure, gender, religion, language, subsistence, political systems, race, colonialism and applied anthropology; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 221 Foundations of Museum Studies
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of museum studies, exploring how museums collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit material culture to convey cultural, historical and scientific knowledge. Emphasizes museums as dynamic institutions shaped by ethical, educational and civic responsibilities and fosters critical inquiry into questions such as: Who do museums serve? How do objects acquire meaning? What responsibilities do museums have to communities and history? Provides a foundation for further study in museum work while developing skills in civic engagement, applied learning, collaboration, inclusion and leadership. Engages museums as spaces for dialogue and lifelong learning, encouraging reflection on how they shape public understanding and express broader social values. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in museum studies. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include: history and development of museums; collecting practices from antiquity to the present; analysis of museum organization, leadership structures and varying types of institutions; consideration of professional standards, collections stewardship; evaluation of interpretation, educational programming and strategies for access and inclusion; ethical, educational and civic responsibilities of museums. Cross Listing: ARCH 221 and MUST 221.
ANTH 222 Cross Cultural Competency
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Develops skills vital for effective engagement in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Fosters personal awareness of biases, attitudes, values, beliefs and ways of knowing (epistemology). Explores the profound impact of culture on the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Trains students to critically appraise how their worldview and life experiences shape the decisions they make. Synthesizes core concepts like culture, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, stereotypes, worldview and holism, applying them to the student's chosen discipline or subject of interest. Promotes enhanced self-knowledge and cross-cultural awareness through active, reflexive inquiry. Encourages challenging one's own thinking, especially when subject matter elicits an emotional reaction, to ensure critical engagement with evidence. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. TOPICS AND THEMES. Analyzes fundamental concepts in anthropology, including culture, diversity, race and ethnicity. Consideration of holism and reductionism in understanding systems and thought processes. Explores personal learning styles, personality strengths and systems of knowledge (epistemology). Examines communication dynamics, ethnocentrism, stereotypes, myths, fallacies and assumptions. Discusses ethical frameworks, including critical cultural relativism. Studies critical thinking skills applicable across varied professional, cultural and scientific contexts.
ANTH 225 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
(ANTH 2301, 2401*) Introduction to Biological Anthropology. COURSE OVERVIEW. Investigates human biology and evolution by exploring the origins of humanity through evolutionary processes and the Primate fossil record. Analyzes the mechanisms of evolutionary change, such as human genetics and heredity, that shape human populations and non-human primate diversity. Trains students to ask how shared evolutionary history influences modern human adaptation and variation, gaining a deeper awareness of how humans fit into the natural world. Discussion addresses the genetic and environmental basis of human biological variation, our relationship to other primates and the fossil record associated with our extinct hominin relatives/ancestors. Writing-intensive assignments are designed to develop students' critical thinking, analytical skills and ability to communicate effectively. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. TOPICS AND THEMES. Considers evolutionary processes acting on modern and ancient human populations; analyzes human genetics, heredity and molecular biology; studies non-human Primate anatomy, fossil record, classification, behavior and ecology; methods used to study the fossil record including comparative anatomy, taphonomy, basic fieldwork protocols and age estimation techniques; examines the human fossil record, including our earliest possible relatives, the Australopithecines, and species in the genus Homo; explores contemporary human biological variation, anatomy, adaptation, health and forensic anthropology; develops skills in critical thinking, inquiry and analysis of relevant sources. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. Prerequisites: Concurrent registration in ANTH 226 recommended; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 226 Introduction to Biological Anthropology Laboratory
Credit 1.
3 Lab Hours.
(ANTH 2101, 2401*) Introduction to Biological Anthropology Laboratory. COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores fundamental evolutionary principles and the concepts of population genetics. Applies the scientific method to investigate evolutionary trends relevant to humans through hands-on exposure to fossils of non-human primates, human relatives and ancestors, and modern human evolution. Evaluates and synthesizes information regarding human ancestry and contemporary variation. Analyzes key trends related to human evolution, such as encephalization and bipedalism, by measuring and comparing real and modeled skeletal specimens. Lab exercises are designed to complement and reinforce topics covered in the lecture course ANTH 225. TOPICS AND THEMES. Discussions of basic genetic principles, evolutionary mechanisms and population genetics. Analyzes human and non-human primate anatomy, focusing on skeletal morphology. Applies qualitative and quantitative methods for bone identification, skeletal growth, dental variation and locomotor function. Studies extant and extinct primate specimens, including their taxonomy, behavior and fossil record. Examinations of the hominin fossil record including casts of specimens from the following taxa: Australopithecus, Paranthropus and the genus Homo, including H. habilis, H. erectus, Middle Pleistocene Homo, Neanderthals and H. sapiens. Prerequisites: Concurrent registration in ANTH 225 is recommended; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 229 Introduction to Folklore
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Study of folklore through selected examples of traditional cultures, their beliefs, customs and art forms such as: tales, folksongs, proverbs, riddles and material culture.
ANTH 250 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examine the foundational role of forensic anthropology within the broader forensic sciences which involves analyzing human skeletal remains for medico-legal applications, covering the history of the field and its development. Build theoretical knowledge of the discipline including the history of how the discipline developed and its role in the broader forensic sciences and international, federal and state levels. Apply proper anatomical terminology, taphonomy and comparative morphological methods to discuss and describe skeletal trauma, pathologies and anomalies. Apply and practice methods used to create a "biological profile" for an individual by estimating sex, age, stature and ancestry. Explore scene recovery methods and how skeletal analysis is applied in a variety of contexts, including routine casework, large-scale natural disasters, war casualties and human rights investigations. Critically discuss and analyze forensic methods by addressing the practical and ethical issues facing practicing forensic anthropologists today. TOPICS AND THEMES. Consider the history and foundations of forensic anthropology; study the broader medicolegal system, professional ethics and error assessment; apply osteological methods and anatomical terminology to describing human skeletal material; describe scene recovery methods such as location, recovery and taphonomic processes; apply and critically examine methods for estimating sex, age, stature and ancestry; identify and classify infectious disease, congenital conditions and nutritional deficiencies on the skeleton and teeth; explore individual identification techniques such as facial reconstruction and genetic genealogy; critically assess how forensic anthropology is portrayed in popular culture and the media. Discuss current topics considered relevant to the field by the American Academy of Forensic Science including, but not limited to, research ethics, reassessment of biological profile estimation methods and demographic underrepresentation in comparative collections.
ANTH 285 Directed Studies
Credits 0 to 3.
0 to 3 Other Hours.
For individual research in anthropology on subjects not included in established courses. May be taken two times for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.
ANTH 289 Special Topics In...
Credits 1 to 4.
1 to 4 Lecture Hours.
0 to 4 Lab Hours.
Selected topics in an identified area of anthropology. May be repeated for credit.
ANTH 291 Research
Credits 0 to 3.
0 to 3 Other Hours.
Research conducted under the direction of a faculty member in Anthropology. May be taken two times for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.
ANTH 300 Cultural Change and Development
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Investigates the broad spectrum of cultural dynamics, providing an overview of how societies transform and adapt through cultural change. Examines diverse methodologies and theoretical approaches used to document and interpret these shifts. Draws on case studies and source materials from all areas of anthropology, integrating knowledge from allied fields. Develops a strong understanding of the complexities inherent in cultural change. Enhances the ability to employ theoretical concepts in novel and innovative ways. Clarifies the practical need to apply anthropological knowledge in programs of directed change. Encourages respectful critique and defense of diverse points of view regarding current social issues. TOPICS AND THEMES. Studies the fundamental concept of culture; analyzes definitions, overviews and data sources related to cultural change; investigates dynamic processes such as innovation, diffusion and acculturation; considers theoretical approaches including functionalism, cultural materialism and cultural evolution; examines maladaptive traits and Darwinian evolutionary principles applied to culture; explores the intersection of cultural change and health; and analyzes colonial legacies and the dynamics of directed change.
ANTH 301 Indians of North America
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Native North American cultures from the Arctic to Mesoamerica; their origins, cultures prior to extensive acculturation and their contemporary situations.
ANTH 302 North American Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the archaeology of North America from the first arrival of humans on the continent through recent historical archaeology. Emphasis will be upon the geographic area of the continental United States and Canada, with a focus on past Indigenous lifeways and their variation in time and in space. Discusses individual sites and places them into their regional context. Develops critical analysis skills of the lines of evidence most common to North American archaeology, including archaeological site reports, academic papers, historical records and other primary sources. Compares sites across space and time to form ideas of changing lifeways, technologies and social and individual identities of past people of North America. TOPICS AND THEMES. Topics include the concept of culture areas and its evolution over time, environmental archaeology, migration; adaption and environment; domestication and agriculture; technological innovation and development; trade; social complexity, warfare, culture contact, archaeological laws, ethics and politics, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and Indigenous archaeology in North America. The course will include historical archaeology but focuses upon pre-European archaeology. Special attention is given to the diverse lines of evidence archaeologists use to explore these themes—including paleoenvironmental proxies, material culture analysis, iconography, colonial-era documents and ethnographic accounts. This multidisciplinary approach fosters a more holistic understanding of North American societies and their rich, complex histories. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to North American archaeology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. Prerequisite: ANTH 201, ANTH 202, ANTH 204, ANTH 205, or ANTH 210.
ANTH 304 Archaeology Roadshow
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Interdisciplinary field-trip in the archaeology and paleoecology of a specific region; high-impact learning experiences in a field setting. May be repeated two times for credit. Prerequisites: ANTH 201, ANTH 202, ANTH 204, ANTH 205, or ANTH 225; approval of instructor.
ANTH 305 Fundamentals of Anthropological Writing
Credit 1.
1 Lecture Hour.
Basic types of writing expected of anthropology students; emphasis on the subject matter of an upper-division anthropology course in which the student is currently enrolled. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and co-enrollment in another upper-division anthropology course (the "companion course").
ANTH 308 Mesoamerican Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the peoples and civilizations of Mesoamerica—a cultural region encompassing the southern two-thirds of Mexico and the northern half of Central America, including present-day Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and northwestern Honduras. Traces the full arc of human occupation in the region, from the earliest settlements over 14,000 years ago to the arrival of Europeans in the 15th century. Critically evaluates archaeological data and interpretations and situates Mesoamerican case studies within broader anthropological and theoretical frameworks. TOPICS AND THEMES. Emphasizing critical engagement with key debates in Mesoamerican archaeology, the course examines topics such as the origins of agriculture and urbanism, household and state economies, social stratification, ritual and religion, warfare, mobility and migration, and processes of collapse and resilience. Special attention is given to the diverse lines of evidence archaeologists use to explore these themes—including ancient DNA, material culture analysis, iconography, writing systems, linguistics, colonial-era documents and ethnographic accounts. This multidisciplinary approach fosters a more holistic understanding of Mesoamerican societies and their rich, complex histories. Prerequisites: ANTH 202 or ANTH 204, or approval of instructor.
ANTH 312 Fossil Evidence of Human Evolution
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines human evolution from the time of divergence from the other African apes through the appearance of anatomically modern humans. Delves into the detailed study of the fossil antecedents of humans. Applies fundamental principles from evolutionary biology, geology, primatology and paleontology to interpret the human lineage. Integrates evidence from the human fossil record, archaeological material, ancient DNA and living human populations. Studies comparative osteology and paleoecology to interpret the evolutionary relationships, diet and behavior of extinct and living human and non-human Primate species. Analyzes the evolutionary mechanisms that have patterned life on Earth and the forces that have acted upon these processes. Develops a deeper awareness of how humans fit into the natural world. Develops a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that position humans within the larger Primate clade and the genetic and environmental underpinnings of modern human variability and dispersal. Hands-on, discussion and writing-intensive assignments are designed to develop students’ critical reading/thinking skills and apply paleoanthropological methods to real and modeled skeletal materials. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. TOPICS AND THEMES. Considers human evolutionary biology, including evolutionary processes, natural selection and macroevolutionary principles. Analyses geological and paleontological contexts, focusing on fossils, taphonomy and dating techniques. Examines living and extinct primate diversity and evolution, covering early primates and apes. Studies specific hominin species, including the earliest possible hominins, Australopithecus, Paranthropus, Homo species (such as H. erectus, H. naledi and H. neanderthalensis) and Homo sapiens. Investigates comparative morphology, osteology and diagnostic skeletal features of the human skeleton. Explores and describes paleoecology, anatomy, diet, human evolutionary trends and the genetic and environmental underpinnings that have shaped our species. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. Prerequisite: ANTH 225 or approval of instructor.
ANTH 313 Historical Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines the material and documentary evidence of European colonization in North America and its impact on Indigenous populations, African enslaved peoples and the environment. Integrates historical records with archaeological findings to understand how European imperial powers such as the Spanish, the Basques, the French, the Dutch and the English shaped the Americas through settlement, trade and social structures. Includes case studies from contact-era settlements, plantations, forts, battlefields and maritime contexts, highlighting how artifacts, architecture and written documents complement and sometimes challenge one another. Emphasizes methods of historical archaeology, including document transcription, genealogical research, artifact analysis and field methods that provide students with tools to critically interpret North American history through a material lens. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in historical archaeology. TOPICS AND THEMES. European exploration and colonial expansion led by European nations including Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands and England; Indigenous populations; forced migration and enslavement of Africans; trade, exchange and economic structures; archaeology of gender, identity, racialization, plantations, forts, battlefields, settlements, graves and shipwrecks; historical archaeological theory and methods including survey and excavation methods, absolute and relative dating methods and artifact analysis; archival and research skills including genealogical research, transcription and historical document analysis; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 316 Nautical Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines shipwrecks, sunken harbors and other submerged evidence of human activity from the Stone Age through early modern times. Explores the archaeology, technology and cultural significance of maritime societies, emphasizing the methods used to survey, map, excavate, conserve and interpret submerged sites. Reviews case examples from the Mediterranean and northern Europe, including Bronze Age, Classical, Byzantine, medieval and Viking vessels, while considering the relationship of seafaring to cultural geography and the broader human past. Ship construction, diving technology, site preservation and surveying techniques are addressed and explored through various case studies. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in nautical archaeology. TOPICS AND THEMES. Shipwrecks; submerged harbors; inundated archaeological sites; Bronze Age Mediterranean vessels; Egyptian Nile boats; Classical Greek and Phoenician ships; Greek warships (triremes, polyremes); Roman merchantmen; Byzantine ships; late medieval Mediterranean ships; late medieval warships; carracks; Scandinavian and Northern European ships; Viking ships; cogs; hulks; ship construction; rigging; armament; nautical technology; maritime trade; naval warfare; cultural geography; survey and mapping techniques; excavation and conservation methods; diving technology; artifact analysis; heritage management; iconography; relevance to modern maritime research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 317/RELS 317 Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Introduces students to the archaeology and material culture of the Land of the Bible from the Epi-Paleolithic period through the first century A.D. The course examines the peoples, cities and societies of biblical times through material remains, integrating artifacts, iconography and texts to develop a holistic understanding of the ancient Near East. Students explore archaeological discoveries in relation to biblical narratives, including early agricultural communities, Canaanite city-states, Egyptian influence and Iron Age polities. The course also emphasizes the interpretation of archaeological evidence, historical context and the relationship of seafaring and trade to cultural development in the ancient biblical world. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in biblical archaeology. TOPICS AND THEMES. Epi-Paleolithic period; Neolithic period; first agriculturists; Chalcolithic period; Early Bronze Age; Early Bronze IV; Middle Bronze Age I-II; Late Bronze Age; Egyptian influence in Canaan; maritime trade and seafaring; Iron Age I; Sea Peoples; Philistines; United Monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon); Divided Monarchy; Persian period; archaeology of biblical texts; material culture; urbanism; Canaanite city-states; fortifications; religious architecture; iconography; ceramics; metallurgy; inscriptions; settlement patterns; excavation techniques; interpretation of artifacts; relationship between archaeology and biblical narrative; cultural geography and human-environment interaction. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: RELS 317/ANTH 317.
ANTH 318 Ships and Shipwrecks of the Americas
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores how ships and seafaring shaped the history and culture of the Western Hemisphere from 1492 through the American Civil War. Draws on archaeological discoveries and historical records to examine exploration, colonization, trade, naval conflict and technological innovation through the lens of maritime material culture. Reviews case studies of shipwrecks and other maritime sites, revealing the vessels, technologies and practices that connected cultures, facilitated economic systems and transformed warfare. From Indigenous watercraft to colonial gunboats, steamboats and Civil War submarines, engages with the archaeological evidence that illuminates change and continuity in the maritime world of the Americas. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in nautical archaeology of the Americas. TOPICS AND THEMES. Ship construction; ship rigging; seafaring technologies; European and American shipwreck archaeological case studies; Iberian voyages of exploration; Basque whaling; Spain’s maritime empire; Northern European maritime exploration; colonization; technological developments; economics and history of the Western Hemisphere; European-Indigenous relationships; Indigenous watercraft; Anglo-French wars; piracy and privateering; Revolutionary War; War of 1812; Shipping in the Commercial Age; canal transport; horse-powered boats; steamboats; packet ships; clipper ships; whaling fleets; Arctic exploration; Civil War naval warfare. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 323 Nautical Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys seafaring and maritime culture in the Mediterranean from the Stone Age through the Roman Republic, with an excursus on fluvial galleys of Imperial Rome. Examines the archaeological and historical evidence for ancient navigation, shipbuilding and maritime trade, with a focus on both land-based and underwater sites. Students explore Egyptian seafaring on the Nile and in the Red Sea, Bronze Age shipwrecks such as Uluburun and Cape Gelidonya, Phoenician and Greek colonization, Etruscan maritime activity and Roman naval and merchant vessels. The course integrates material culture, iconography and archaeological discoveries to illuminate the technological, economic and cultural aspects of ancient Mediterranean seafaring. TOPICS AND THEMES. Stone Age seafaring; earliest evidence for boats; Egyptian Nile boats; Funerary Barge of Khufu; Tomb of Ti; Middle Kingdom Egyptian ships; New Kingdom Egypt; Queen Hatshepsut; Punt expedition; obelisk barge; Ramses III naval battles; Syro-Canaanite ships; Cape Gelidonya shipwreck; Late Bronze Age ships; Uluburun shipwreck; cosmopolitan trade; Phoenicians; Greeks; Etruscans; Greek shipwrecks; Western and Eastern Mediterranean; Bronze Age warships; penteconter; Archaic warships; Classical warships; Athenian trireme; Hellenistic giant warships; galley rams; Roman trade and economy; Roman merchantmen; Battle of Actium; Roman Imperial warships and shipwrecks; ship construction; rigging; armament; nautical technology; maritime trade; naval warfare; artifact analysis; cultural geography; surveying; excavation; conservation; interpretation of seafaring evidence; integration of material culture and texts; economic and social history of the Mediterranean. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
ANTH 324/MUSC 324 Music in World Cultures
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Examination of music from an ethnomusicological perspective focusing on musical performance and the complex interrelationship of music to culture, society and daily life; examination of music from a variety of cultures through a series of case studies. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: MUSC 324/ANTH 324.
ANTH 330 Field Research in Anthropology
Credits 1 to 9.
1 to 9 Other Hours.
Training for students in formulating and solving anthropological problems through field research; problem oriented field research under supervision. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ANTH 201, ANTH 202, ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 210, or ANTH 225; approval by instructor.
ANTH 335 Cultures of Central Asia
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Study of anthropological research in Central Asia: ecological adaptations; colonialism and post-colonialism; ethnic politics and ethnic conflict; religion and identity; gender and family; globalization and modernization. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 340/RELS 340 Folklore and the Supernatural
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Traditional expressions of the supernatural such as superstition, belief tale and divination classified as folklore genres and their relationships to the cultures in which they develop; theories drawn from anthropology, folklore and related social sciences. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: RELS 340/ANTH 340.
ANTH 345 South American Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Archaeological study of South America from initial human settlement through European colonial encounters, with emphasis on the Central Andes. This region encompasses striking environmental diversity where societies developed technological innovations, monumental architecture and complex political systems. The course examines how archaeologists reconstruct past lifeways through material evidence, considering interactions between environment, technology, social organization and cultural expression. Students explore long-term processes of change, including agricultural development, urbanization, political centralization and cultural transformation. Study includes major pre-Inca societies, the rise of the Inca Empire and Spanish colonization. Contemporary Andean communities and their maintenance of ancestral practices provide context for understanding long-term cultural continuity. TOPICS AND THEMES. Course topics may include: environmental diversity and human adaptation across ecological zones; early settlement patterns and cultural change; agricultural systems, technological innovations and monumental architecture; artistic traditions and material culture as expressions of identity and belief; pre-Inca political systems and the development of complex societies; Inca imperial strategies, administrative technologies and infrastructure; Spanish colonial encounters and Indigenous responses; ethical dimensions in archaeological practice, including repatriation and collaboration with descendant communities; connections between archaeological evidence and contemporary Andean societies. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 350 European Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the study of human prehistory and history on the European continent and surrounding islands through the remains of material culture such as artifacts, human and animal remains, structures, landscapes and environments. Investigates the wide time span from the earliest Paleolithic hunter-gatherer hominids (up to two million years ago), through the Neolithic agricultural “revolution”, the metal ages, the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, the medieval period and up to the modern era. Develops critical analysis skills using different types of information including archaeological site reports, academic papers, historical records and other primary sources to understand individual sites. Compares sites across space and time to form ideas of changing lifeways, technologies, and social and individual identities of past Europeans. TOPICS AND THEMES. Topics include human origins and migration; adaption and environment; domestication and agriculture; technological innovation and development; trade; social complexity, urbanization and state formation including hunter-gatherers, small scale societies, cities and empires; conflict and warfare; religion and ritual; art, music and culture; social, cultural and individual identity. Methodologies discussed include archaeological excavations, surveys, GIS, spatial analysis, analysis of landscapes and buildings, dating methods, artifact analysis, examination of human and animal remains, environmental and geoarchaeology, lab methods including ancient DNA, proteins, lipids, and stable isotopes, ethnographies and experimental archaeology. Class discussions may be thought-provoking and introduce new perspectives and material that students may not have encountered before. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 351 Classical Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Origins and spread of Western civilization through the material remains of Minoan, Mycenaen, Etruscan, and early Greek and Roman cultures. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor; Galveston campus.
ANTH 353/CLAS 353 Archaeology of Ancient Greece
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys the archaeology of ancient Greece from the Stone Age through the Hellenistic Period, concluding with the rise of Rome. Explores the material culture, art, architecture and social history of the Greek world across its major cultural phases, from the Bronze Age civilizations of Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece to the flourishing of Classical Athens and the cosmopolitan Hellenistic kingdoms. Emphasizes the integration of archaeological evidence, ancient texts and artistic traditions to illuminate Greek religion, civic life, domestic space and cultural interactions across the Mediterranean. By examining key sites, monuments, artifacts and artistic achievements, students gain a comprehensive understanding of Greek society and its enduring legacy in Western civilization. TOPICS AND THEMES. Stone Age and Neolithic Greece; Bronze Age civilizations; Minoan Crete; Mycenaean palaces and the Trojan War; the Greek Dark Ages; Geometric period art and society; Archaic architecture, sculpture and vase painting; Classical Athens and the Acropolis; sanctuaries such as Delphi; fourth-century Greece and the rise of Macedon; Hellenistic art, architecture and urbanism; Greek houses and domestic mosaics; shipwreck archaeology; coinage and economic history; Greek religion and votive practices; interactions with Magna Graecia and the wider Mediterranean; Greek artistic and cultural legacy in Rome and later neoclassicism. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CLAS 353/ANTH 353.
ANTH 354/CLAS 354 Archaeology of Ancient Italy
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys the archaeology of ancient Italy from the Stone Age through the collapse of the Roman Empire in the fourth century CE. Students examine the material culture, art and architecture of the Etruscans and Romans, as well as the prehistoric and early Italic foundations that shaped them. Explores how Italy’s peoples expressed identity, religion and power through sculpture, painting, mosaics, inscriptions, temples, homes and civic monuments. Special emphasis is placed on the development of Rome from a small city-state into a vast imperial capital, the role of urbanism and daily life, and the ways in which material remains reveal both continuity and transformation across centuries of Italian history. TOPICS AND THEMES. Prehistoric Italy and the Stone Age; Villanovans and the emergence of the Etruscans; Etruscan cities and art; early Rome and urban foundations; Romanization and the Republic; Augustan classicism; imperial art and architecture under the Julio-Claudians, Flavians and Antonines; wall painting, mosaics and domestic life; Pompeii and Herculaneum; the lure of the games and public spectacles; baths, theaters and civic monuments; coinage and inscriptions as evidence of social and political life; Ostia and imperial urbanism; ships and shipwrecks of Roman Italy; Severan and Late Roman art; Constantine and the transformation of Roman identity; collapse of the Roman Empire in the fourth century CE. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CLAS 354/ANTH 354.
ANTH 360 Ancient Civilizations of the World
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores archaeological studies that have contributed to our understanding of the emergence and decline of states and civilizations between 3500 BCE and 1500 CE. Examines the complex origins of anthropology and archaeology within the discourses on "civilization" and comparative models of human development. Explores the political organization, social structures, cultural practices and technological advancements of complex societies in regions such as the Near East, Africa, Europe, India, China, Mesoamerica and North America. Explores theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches and the interpretation of archaeological and related data to comprehend the nature of these complex societies in various parts of the world. TOPICS AND THEMES. Theories of civilization and socio-political organization of ancient societies, neo-evolutionary models of social complexity, agricultural societies and the rise of states, archaeological evidence of hierarchy, heterarchy, urbanism, and state formation in ancient societies, environmental factors in the rise and fall of complex societies; trade, warfare and cooperation in ancient societies; comparative studies of complex societies, states and empires in various regions of the world; the collapse of ancient states and lessons for modern states. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 370 Cultural Diversity and Ethics
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Examination of the cultural construction of ethical values and how cultural diversity, including beliefs, values and ways of doing business, impacts human technological innovation; focuses on developing a holistic, social-science mindset and application of critical thinking skills.
ANTH 382/HIST 382 Conflict Archaeology and Military History
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Military history; conflict archaeology; human conflict; diplomacy, ethics, and leadership in conflicts; warfare; modern global issues; public service. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: HIST 382/ANTH 382.
ANTH 401 Ice Age Humans in the Americas
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines archaeological, environmental, geological and genetic evidence related to the timing of human entry into the Americas and megafaunal extinctions at the end of the Pleistocene. Engages students in the most recent findings from archaeological sites across the Americas. In this class students learn to evaluate evidence critically and synthesize the most up to date information on human dispersals in the western hemisphere at the end of the last Ice Age. TOPICS AND THEMES. Chronology and migration routes of early settlement; environmental and landscape change, important archeological sites in North, Central and South America, controversial claims and standards of evidence, theories of forager mobility and landscape learning and current methods accelerating the pace of discoveries. Prerequisite: ANTH 202 or equivalent.
ANTH 402 Archaeological Artifact Conservation
Credits 4.
3 Lecture Hours.
3 Lab Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Provides an in-depth introduction to the theory and practice of conserving archaeological artifacts, emphasizing the stabilization and long-term preservation of materials recovered from terrestrial and underwater sites. Examines both theoretical grounding and extensive hands-on experience in the laboratory, learning to assess artifact condition, select appropriate treatment strategies and apply conservation techniques to a wide range of materials including organics, ceramics, glass and metals. Through lectures, readings and laboratory exercises, students explore the chemical and physical principles underlying conservation, the ethical considerations surrounding intervention and preservation and the role of conservation within archaeological research and curation. TOPICS AND THEMES. Principles of archaeological conservation and preservation; conservation ethics and documentation; health and safety in the conservation laboratory; adhesives and consolidants; conservation of organic materials including bone, ivory, wood, leather, textiles and rope; stabilization of siliceous materials such as ceramics, glass and stone; corrosion processes and treatment of archaeological metals including iron, copper alloys, lead, tin and precious metals; electrolytic and chemical cleaning methods; desalinization and drying processes; material identification and condition assessment; factors of decay in burial environments; field conservation practices; reconstruction techniques and aesthetic reintegration; and integration of conservation data into archaeological interpretation and collections management. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
ANTH 403/RELS 403 Anthropology of Religion
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Applies fundamental principles of cultural anthropology (the study of human variation and commonalities using a holistic mindset) to the analysis of religion. Examines the relationships connecting religion, culture, society and the individual through cross-cultural, theoretical analysis of religion as a cultural phenomenon. Investigates core questions regarding the existence and persistence of religion, analyzing how religious behavior manifests and connects with other cultural elements across diverse global settings. Develops skills to critically assess research findings, analyze differing viewpoints and perspectives and formulate hypothetical research agendas. Engages potentially charged topics in diverse settings, challenging students to explore their own assumptions and biases regarding their personal worldview. Fosters greater understanding of self-awareness and personal responsibility in society through exploration of the diversity of religious behaviors. TOPICS AND THEMES. Considers theoretical approaches to the study of religion; analyzes religious features including symbolism, myth and ritual; studies religious specialists, magic, divination and witchcraft; explores altered states of consciousness; evaluates beliefs regarding gods, spirits, souls, ghosts and death; assesses religious change and searches for new meaning; examines religious violence and fundamentalism; and investigates vernacular religion, secularism, atheism and irreligion. Includes analysis of religious practices, beliefs and institutions from a variety of cultures. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; also taught at Galveston campus. Cross Listing: RELS 403/ANTH 403.
ANTH 404/WGST 404 Women and Culture
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Examines women's lives in evolutionary and cross-cultural perspective; women's roles in subsistence, politics, religion and economics in traditional cultures; women's roles in international development; the cultural and social construction of women's biology cross-culturally including circumcision, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; approval of instructor. Cross Listing: WGST 404/ANTH 404.
ANTH 405 Introduction to the Primates
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Survey of nonhuman primates from ecological and evolutionary perspectives covering numerous topics including: taxonomy; primate evolution; behavioral observation; reproductive strategies; diet; and conservation. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 408 Applied Archaeology - Methods and Practices
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Provides practical experience in both terrestrial and maritime archaeological field methods. Emphasizes the applied aspect of archaeology by introducing tools, techniques, software and hardware, and prepares participants to design, implement and lead field projects across diverse environments. Includes engagement with the full spectrum of field operations, from initial planning to data collection and team coordination to final report writing. Explores the foundational principles of applied archaeology, with a particular focus on its role in cultural resource management (CRM). Examines how consultant archaeologists conduct investigations in advance of land development or resource extraction, offering insight into the professional, ethical and regulatory frameworks that guide CRM practice. Students develop technical proficiency, problem-solving and leadership skills. Major themes include project design; terrestrial and underwater surveying and mapping techniques; the use of GPS, compasses and maps; GIS applications and Google Earth; introduction to remote sensing and geophysical tools including side-scan sonar, magnetometers, echo sounders, LiDAR and sub-bottom profilers; terrestrial and underwater excavation methods; stratigraphy, spatial control and in-situ recording; data management and post-excavation analysis; use of software for 2D/3D modeling and hydrostatics; documentation and reporting standards; regulations governing fieldwork; ethical principles and professional standards; current trends and employment opportunities in archaeology; and effective methods for presenting archaeological data. Prerequisites: ANTH 202 or approval of instructor.
ANTH 409 Science, Pseudoscience and Critical Thinking in Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examination of extraordinary claims made across a wide spectrum of media in the fields of anthropology, biological anthropology and archaeology. Emphasis on distinguishing science from pseudoscience through application of the scientific method, logical reasoning and critical evaluation of empirical evidence. Writing-intensive assignments develop students’ critical thinking, analytical skills and ability to communicate effectively about complex and sometimes controversial issues in anthropology and in broader scientific inquiry. Attention to recognizing and refuting poor scientific reasoning, evaluation of media portrayal of science and clear dissemination of ideas within and beyond academic contexts. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include exploration of science, pseudoscience, pathological science, junk science and anti-science; scientific hoaxes, frauds and exaggeration of evidence; the scientific method and the use and misuse of statistics and illustrations; distortions of anthropological and scientific knowledge across a variety of media platforms, including social media and ‘fake news’; history of the discipline of anthropology; IQ testing, race, and racism; creation science, natural selection, and evolution; cryptozoology, bigfoot and aquatic apes; the use, misuse and abuse of the archaeological record in both scientific and popular discourse; the supernatural realm; and conspiracy theories, climate science and vaccine efficacy. Course discussions may also engage diverse and sometimes unfamiliar perspectives, reflecting a variety of contexts – scientific, professional, political, cultural – in which group communication occurs. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 410 Anthropological Theory
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys the history and foundations of anthropological theory, connecting these historical concepts to contemporary professional concerns. Critiques the core assumptions, preferred questions and specific methods associated with major theoretical schools. Engages diverse points of view to examine current social issues and applied problems, fostering respect for cultural and human biological diversity. Develops comprehensive expertise in articulating theoretical explanations for research questions, identifying the major theorist(s) credited for theory development and detailing how theory is currently used by anthropologists. Practices critical synthesis of theoretical knowledge within existing disciplinary frameworks. Evaluates arguments by questioning the type and sufficiency of evidence presented. Assesses the cultural position, background and historical context of authors conveying messages, including whether the argument is shaped by a particular historical moment or if the author has an agenda. Requires active application of theoretical models against individual student areas of interest. TOPICS AND THEMES. Explores foundational classics; analyzes epistemology, axiology and related conceptual frameworks; considers the Nature/Nurture Debate; investigation of functional thinking, processes, structures and pragmatics; transformation and evolution; symbols and coherence; cultural materialism and economies; and critical advocacy, feminisms, Post Modernism, post-structuralism and the ontological turn. Prerequisite: ANTH 210 or ANTH 205.
ANTH 412 Archaeological Theory
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. An advanced undergraduate course reviewing the history of scientific archaeological thought, major theoretical paradigms and current trends in archaeology, provides firm grounding in the development and current application of archaeological theory, a fundamental component of all students’ training in archaeology, no matter their specialty. Covers the major theoretical “movements” in the development of anthropological archaeology, as well as important intellectual developments in other disciplines which have influenced explanation in archaeology (e.g., cultural anthropology, geology, evolutionary biology and other social sciences). Historically oriented, reviews how archaeological theory has evolved in the past century and how contemporary archaeologists use theory to explain variability in the material-culture record of past humans. TOPICS AND THEMES. History of scientific archaeological exploration; major theoretical paradigms and movements in archaeological theory; current trends in archaeology; intellectual developments from other disciplines that influenced archaeological thought. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification, ANTH 202 or approval of instructor.
ANTH 414 Geoarchaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. An applied course on the contribution of earth sciences to the interpretation of archaeological contexts, this course consists of field, lab and lecture components. Reviews Quaternary geomorphology. Investigates site formation processes in different depositional environments and impacts on archaeological sites. Provides training in stratigraphic description and interpretation and archaeological dating methods and interpretations. Applies earth science fields and methodologies to archaeological problems. Field trips will be a required component of the course in order to complete field descriptions and sampling. TOPICS AND THEMES. The development of geoarchaeology; sediments and soils and their relevance to archaeological sites; stratigraphy; dating methods and archaeological applications; landscape reconstruction and geoarchaeological interpretations; depositional environments and site formation processes; remote sensing; geophysics. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to geoarchaeology. Prerequisites: ANTH 202 or ANTH 204 and approval of instructor.
ANTH 415 Anthropological Writing
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Practices critical reading and writing skills through the study and discussion of anthropologically relevant literature. Examines various styles and formats of anthropological writing, treating the discipline as an ongoing conversation and discourse community. Develops writing proficiency necessary for professional participation in anthropology and related career paths, including the interpretation, critique and evaluation of scientific papers. Emphasizes effective peer review and the capacity to accept constructive criticism. Cultivates clear communication strategies for discussing complex anthropological topics with both academic and broader audiences. Organizes written work using careful and critical thought. TOPICS AND THEMES. Considers common citation styles, including the appropriate inclusion of primary sources. Analyzes the scientific publication process and Reference Management Software (RMS) usage. Studies professional writing, including personal statements, cover letters, CVs and resumes, prepared as part of an application packet for jobs, internships or graduate school. Explores writing clearly and concisely for diverse audiences, including rewriting scholarly work for non-academic audiences and developing an original research paper on a topic of the student’s choosing. Examines various styles of scientific papers, including research articles, review articles, programmatic essays, ethnographies and popular media. Practices peer review techniques and critical analysis of complex texts. Verbal communication and synthesis of anthropological research in small group settings and an individual oral presentation. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 417/CLAS 417 Naval Warfare and Warships in Ancient Greece and Rome
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys topics such as Greek and Roman warships, naval warfare, naval strategy and tactics, drawing upon archaeological evidence, literary documentation and iconographic material. Covers the development of Mediterranean naval power from the Bronze Age (including Ancient Egypt and the mythical Trojan War) to the Imperial Roman Navy. Examines Greek naval dominance during the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, the evolution of warships such as triremes, Roman naval organization and imperial fleets, and the technological, strategic and political dimensions of naval warfare. Students analyze ship construction, rigging, armament and naval technology within their historical and cultural context. TOPICS AND THEMES. Bronze Age Mediterranean warships; Egyptian naval warfare; Bronze Age naval battles; Athenian Navy; trireme; Greco-Persian Wars (499-449 B.C.); Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 B.C.); naval campaigns of Alexander the Great; Age of Titans; Greek war machines and weapons; Greek naval monuments; Phoenician Navy; Punic Navy; Roman naval organization; Roman Imperial Navy; Roman warships and tactics; Mare Nostrum; Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.); Roman Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean; naval campaigns of Julius Caesar; naval campaigns of Octavian; Roman fluvial warships; Roman naval shipwrecks; Roman war machines and tactics; ship construction; rigging; armament; naval technology; maritime strategy; naval logistics; naval archaeology; iconography; material culture; maritime military history; technological arms race at sea. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification, ANTH 202 or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CLAS 417/ANTH 417.
ANTH 418 Romans, Arabs, and Vikings--Seafaring in the Mediterranean during the early Christian Era
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Examination of seafaring, maritime commerce, naval affairs, and shipbuilding in the Mediterranean from the late Roman Period until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 419 Indians of Texas
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Study of diverse native/immigrant Texas Indian lifeways/cultures from late pre-European to contemporary times; exploration of historical underpinnings, traditional cultures, especially land-use patterns; assessment of tribal relationships with colonial powers, U.S., and Texas governments as evidenced in ethnographic, ethnohistoric, and historical materials; application toward anthropological, archaeological, and human ecology research. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; ANTH 201, ANTH 202, ANTH 205, ANTH 210, ANTH 301, HIST 258, or HIST 308, or approval of instructor.
ANTH 420 Pirates, Privateers and Sea Raiders
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Provides an in-depth survey of the history and archaeology of piracy, privateering and sea raiding from ancient times in the eastern Mediterranean through the Viking Era in the Northern Atlantic and the rise of piracy in the New World and Caribbean during the 16th–18th centuries. Examines archaeological evidence of pirate ventures, the social organization of pirate and privateering communities and the economic, political and cultural effects of piracy on empires, trade networks and maritime law. Explores the sensationalism of pirate legend in literature, film and music, and introduces contemporary piracy in Africa, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. Through lectures, readings, presentations and research assignments, students develop critical skills to evaluate primary and secondary sources, analyze cause-and-effect relationships and assess the broader impact of piracy across time and regions. TOPICS. May include: origins, causes and major periods of piracy, privateering and sea raiding; archaeological evidence of pirate activity in the Mediterranean, Northern Atlantic, Caribbean and Americas; Viking, European and New World piracy; raids, privateering and colonial interactions; social structure, codes of conduct and daily life of pirate communities; economic and political effects of piracy on trade, colonialism, slavery and national sovereignty; sensationalism of pirate legend in literature, film and music; cultural responses to piracy; female pirates and gender dynamics in seafaring communities; contemporary piracy in Africa, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia; case studies of shipwrecks, pirate lairs and maritime settlements; research methods and critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 421/MUST 421 Advanced Museum Studies
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
0 Lab Hours.
Advanced exploration of historical, political and cultural forces shaping contemporary museum practices and exhibition design, with emphasis on ethical and professional responsibilities in modern institutions. Focuses on the collaborative and interdisciplinary processes behind exhibition planning and production, with attention to visitor experience, inclusive design and object-based interpretation. Critically engages with contemporary challenges in the museum field, including representation, decolonization, repatriation, activism, censorship and institutional accountability. Highlights the museum’s role in public service, education, knowledge advancement and civic discourse. Includes field trips to campus and local museums, archives and historical or cultural institutions to support experiential learning and engagement with professional practices and careers. Fulfills core requirement for the Museum Studies Minor. Topics and themes may include: Historical and contemporary models of museum programming; research methodologies and scholarly use of collections; educational theory and practice in museum contexts; public outreach and community engagement; ethics of representation, access and inclusion; museums and democratic ideals, civic responsibility and public trust; professional standards and leadership in museum operations; critical evaluation of exhibitions and interpretive strategies; responsive programming tied to current events and emerging issues. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MUST 221, ANTH 221, ARCH 221 or MAST 220; junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: MUST 421/ANTH 421.
ANTH 423 Bioarchaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Role of human skeletal studies in reconstructing the biological and cultural past of humans; evidence gleaned from human skeletal remains recovered from archaeological sites such as data regarding diet, health, genetics and migration. Prerequisites: ANTH 225; junior or senior classification; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 424 Human Evolutionary Ecology: Culture and Cooperation
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Examination of evolutionary perspective to explore culture, cooperation and sociality and subsistence behaviors across a wide variety of human cultures; part of the Human Evolutionary Ecology series along with ANTH 434. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 425 Human Osteology
Credits 3.
2 Lecture Hours.
3 Lab Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores human osteological analysis, which provides fundamental skills for fields such as bioarchaeology, paleontology, biomechanics, human anatomy and forensic anthropology. Investigates the concepts and methods anthropologists employ to identify, describe and analyze skeletal remains from archaeological and forensic contexts. Trains students in the proper use of anatomical terminology and the respectful handling of human remains. Intensive hands-on activities develop and apply essential skills in identifying and siding core skeletal elements and teeth. Focuses on how the human skeleton functions, grows and changes throughout the lifespan. Addresses the possibilities and limitations of anthropological skeletal analysis and the ethical concerns inherent in modern osteological study. TOPICS AND THEMES. Studies skeletal and dental biology, including gross and microscopic bone and tooth structure. Analyses effects of ontogeny, development and age on the skeletal system. Estimates parameters such as sex, age, ancestry, stature, anomalies and pathologies of human skeletal remains using standardized anthropological methods. Considers pathological analysis, dietary reconstruction and comparison with faunal remains. Examines cultural, occupational and postmortem modifications, including taphonomy. Reviews methods used in initial assessment, inventory and recovery of remains. Prerequisites: ANTH 225 and ANTH 226, or VIBS 305; junior or senior classification.
ANTH 426 Anthropology of Food and Nutrition
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Anthropological study of human foodways and their nutritional consequences; how environmental, biological and cultural factors interact to produce patternsof food intake, and the effects of such patterns on health, growth and fertility; examples drawn primarily from non-Western societies. Prerequisite: ANTH 201 or ANTH 210 or ANTH 225 or NUTR 202 or approval of instructor.
ANTH 427 Human Biological Variation
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Biological basis of variation in the physical features of modern humans; details of anatomical and physiological differences of living populations to understand their adaptive and historical significance; history of human variation studies rooted in the historical notion of "race." Prerequisites: ANTH 225 and ANTH 226, or BIOL 214 or BIOL 225; junior or senior classification.
ANTH 428 Dental Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines the methods used to study teeth, a subdiscipline central to biological anthropology (the study of human evolution and variation), bioarchaeology (the study of human remains in archaeological contexts), anatomy, dentistry and palaeontology (the study of fossil life). Explores the essential questions regarding dental analysis: How are teeth studied, and what insights can dental research provide? Gains in-depth experience with the core concepts of dental anatomy, dental development, dental ecology and dental evolution. Develops confidence in identifying teeth in both human and non-human primates and their closest living relatives. Analyzes current literature concerning dental form, function and evolutionary patterns. Cultivates critical thinking abilities necessary for evaluating cutting-edge dental research and effectively presenting and writing about these findings. TOPICS AND THEMES. Considers dental anatomy and introduces the tribosphenic molar as a key evolutionary feature. Analyzes the evolution of mammalian mastication and its implications for dietary adaptation. Explores evolutionary developmental biology as it relates to tooth formation and variation. Studies dental eruption patterns, life history traits and dentition patterns in primates. Investigates dental ecology and applies methods for reconstructing ancient diets. Examines dietary reconstruction techniques including macro- and microwear analysis, enamel thickness and dental topography. Reviews the dental-pulp complex, dental pathology and the role of dental form in understanding phylogenetic relationships among human and non-human primates. Prerequisites: ANTH 225 or approval of instructor.
ANTH 430 Applied Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Theory, ethics and practical applications of anthropological methods and concepts as they relate to planned programs of sociocultural change. Prerequisites: ANTH 210; junior or senior classification.
ANTH 434 Anthropology of Human Reproduction
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines human courtship, marriage, reproduction, family structure and parenting through the lens of evolutionary ecology. Explores how human reproductive and parenting patterns compare with those of other primates and how they vary across cultures. Evaluates different viewpoints on and approaches to the application of evolutionary logic to the study of these topics. Critically examines hypotheses explaining human behavior through biological, cultural and ecological lenses. TOPICS AND THEMES. Topics include evolutionary approaches to the study of human behavior, life histories, reproductive strategies, sexual selection, marriage, parental care, infidelity, divorce, as well as explorations of cross-cultural and cross-species variation in these areas. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 435 Medical Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Introduces medical anthropology, the subfield exploring the biological and cultural dimensions of health, illness and healing across diverse societies. Defines and discusses key concepts, such as health, illness and disease, in relation to various social, environmental, political and evolutionary contexts. Analyzes the interconnections among micro- and macrobiological, cultural, social and political determinants to construct a holistic view of human health. Engages with contemporary and emerging issues in health and healthcare, emphasizing the comparative analysis of global medical systems. Compares and contrasts biomedicine with other ethnomedical systems to evaluate its role within diverse cultural contexts. Develops critical thinking, reading, writing and collaboration skills for engaging with multiple perspectives on health. Note that course content may include complex or sensitive topics designed to foster critical engagement. TOPICS AND THEMES. Surveys foundational theories and methodologies. Analyzes cultural beliefs and environmental influences on health, including ecological and evolutionary disease patterning. Explores health-related behaviors, mental health, medical systems and explanatory models across diverse cultural contexts. Examines environmental health challenges, globalization and infectious disease. Considers gender, race/racism, social inequality and health disparities. Discusses professional applications and emerging issues in the subdiscipline. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
ANTH 436/RELS 436 Ancient Egypt I - The Rise of Egypt
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Archaeology and history of ancient Egypt from earliest times to the end of the New Kingdom period. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: RELS 436/ANTH 436.
ANTH 437 Ethnobotany
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the dynamic relationships between people and plants through the interdisciplinary lens of ethnobotany. Introduces the field by examining how disciplines such as botany, anthropology, ethnopharmacology, ethnoecology and ethnomedicine contribute to understanding plant use across cultures. Engages critically with foundational concepts, including plant adaptations for defense, human strategies for utilizing those adaptations, diverse ways of knowing and the development of knowledge systems that codify plant use. Emphasizes analytical and methodological inquiry into how plant ecosystems and knowledge systems shape human-plant interactions. TOPICS AND THEMES. Studies plant structures, functions and identification using botanical methods; analyzes traditional ecological knowledge and cognitive ethnobotany through ethnographic and comparative approaches; considers ethnopharmacological practices including tinctures, infusions and salves with attention to preparation and efficacy; explores sensory and perceptual ecology using qualitative and observational techniques; examines ethnoecology and conservation strategies through field-based and participatory methods; investigates ethnomedicine, medical models and health conditions using cross-cultural and clinical perspectives; and evaluates ethical issues in research and practice through case studies and applied frameworks. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
ANTH 438/RELS 438 Ancient Egypt II - Egypt in Decline
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Surveys the archaeology and history of ancient Egypt from the end of the New Kingdom through the Graeco-Roman period, focusing on the years 1185–30 BCE. Examines the decline of pharaonic power, the rise of foreign influences and the resilience of Egyptian society under Libyan, Nubian, Persian and Ptolemaic rule. Reviews the interplay between political, social and cultural dynamics, exploring Egyptian adaptations to Hellenistic dominance, while tracing continuity and change in art, religion, literature and urban development. Through lectures, readings and analyses of primary and secondary sources, students gain a humanistic understanding of Egyptian civilization during its final dynastic phases and develop skills in interpreting archaeological, textual and iconographic evidence. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues pertaining to ancient Egypt. TOPICS AND THEMES. Decline of pharaonic authority; fragmentation of the Egyptian state; Libyan, Nubian and Persian interventions; internal political strife and social change; resilience of Egyptian cultural identity; Ptolemaic dynasty and Hellenistic influence; Cleopatra VII and the last Ptolemies; Alexandria as a cultural and economic center; Greco-Egyptian art, religion and literature; continuity and transformation of Egyptian traditions; interactions between foreign rulers and Egyptian elites; archaeological and textual methods for reconstructing late Egyptian history; humanistic approaches to interpreting material culture; synthesis of historical, artistic and archaeological evidence. Prerequisites: Completion of ANTH 436/RELS 436 or RELS 436/ANTH 436 recommended but not required; junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: RELS 438/ANTH 438.
ANTH 440 Studies in Globalization
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Selected issues on the anthropology of globalization such as the impact of global circulations of media, money and people on local cultures, identities and politics, migration and political economy. May be taken three times for credit. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
ANTH 444/CLAS 444 Classical Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
History of the discipline through the individuals, organizations, excavations, theoretical models and ethical issues that have shaped it. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: CLAS 444/ANTH 444.
ANTH 445 Studies in Africa and the African Diaspora
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the history of Africa and its global diasporas through the perspective of archaeology and related fields. Examines prehistoric African cultures, ancient civilizations and pre-Atlantic trade and exchange networks. Explores the nature of the transatlantic trade and the creation of the African Diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean. Explores the cultural identities of African-descended communities in the Americas and other regions of the world. Applies interdisciplinary research methods that combine historical, archaeological and ethnographic case studies to challenge colonial narratives about Africa and its diasporas. Uses hands-on work with material culture and related evidence to highlight archaeology’s role in understanding the histories and cultures of Africa and its diasporas. TOPICS AND THEMES. African prehistory and civilizations, West Africa before Europe, Africa and its global diasporas, Atlantic Africa and the creation of the African diaspora, African cultural resilience, adaptation, and hybridity in the African diaspora, landscapes of power and resistance, material culture, memory, heritage and social justice. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 447 Lithic Artifact Analysis
Credits 3.
2 Lecture Hours.
3 Lab Hours.
Laboratory-based course reviewing methods archaeologists use to analyze stone tools and debitage, including identification of tool-stone sources, reconstruction of technology, explanation of assemblage variability, and microscopic use-wear analysis. Prerequisite: ANTH 202 and approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.
ANTH 448 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Presents practical training in statistics applicable to anthropological and archaeological data. Provides anthropology students with the sophisticated statistical skills needed for an increasingly quantitative field. Discusses reasons why anthropological and archaeological data does not always meet the criteria set by many formal statistical models. Teaches the methods to analyze the chronological, geographic, morphometric, demographic, phylogenetic, genetic, linguistic, network/interaction and observational datasets (among others) that pose unique challenges for both analysis and interpretation. Conducts scientific statistical analyses of these datasets. Applies statistical concepts and techniques to real and hypothetical anthropological or archaeological problems during weekly lab sections. TOPICS AND THEMES. Quantitative analytical methods employed by anthropologists; includes statistical analyses, statistical software and sampling theory commonly used in anthropological research. Graphical techniques and statistics specific to anthropological datasets and research questions, including exploratory data analysis (e.g. principal components, canonical variates, factor analysis), and other multivariate methods (e.g. MANOVA). This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; STAT 302 or STAT 303.
ANTH 453 The Archaeology and Anthropology of Foraging Societies
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the archaeology and anthropology of foraging (hunting and gathering) societies in time and space. Includes an overview of archaeology focused on foraging societies and current methodological and theoretical issues, especially the use of ethnographic and environmental data. Investigates ecologically oriented case studies of late Pleistocene and Holocene hunter-gatherers paired with the ethnographic record used to interpret these sites. Archaeological case studies will have an emphasis on land-use, site-structure and site formation analyses. Ethnographic case studies will focus on the diversity of hunting and gathering societies, change in these societies through time and discussion of forager economies, with specific attention to critiquing ethnohistoric accounts and the applicability of these case studies to the archaeological record. TOPICS AND THEMES. Forager (hunter-gatherer) variation in different environments; forager variation through time; forager social structures; forager mobility; forager subsistence; socio-political complexity in foraging societies; ethnographic critiques; archaeology of foraging societies; resource management; foragers in the modern world and change in forager societies in the recent past; archaeological site structure; lithic analysis; site formation processes; archaeological site survey; archaeological theory of foragers; site modeling and resource modeling. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to anthropology. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. Prerequisites: ANTH 202 or ANTH 204 and approval of instructor.
ANTH 458 Quantitative Ethnographic Methods
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Introduces quantitative ethnographic field methods commonly used in anthropological research to formally test hypotheses. Explores the benefits and challenges of applying structured, quantitative techniques to the study of complex cultural phenomena within a field largely dominated by qualitative methods. Covers best practices for managing and analyzing anthropological datasets. Surveys common ethnographic methods designed to enhance comparability and analytical rigor of ethnographic research, including structured interviews, text analysis and network analysis. Through hands-on assignments, provides practical experience in developing and executing small-scale research projects. TOPICS AND THEMES. Topics include ethical considerations in field research, research design, data management, statistical analysis, structured interviews, online survey tools, standardized observation, network analysis, text analysis and cultural consensus analysis. Also includes student participation in all stages of the research process, including research design, data collection, data management and analysis, and write-up. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 461 Environmental Archaeology
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
0 Lab Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the paleoecological context in which past humans interacted with the natural environment encompassing plants, animals and landscape. Introduces students to theories and methods relevant to studying past human-environment interactions. Outlines types of environmental data that survive in the archaeological record (geological, botanical, faunal, chemical), recovery and analytical methods, absolute chronology and inferences made based on these data. Develops long-term, global perspective on human-environment interactions provided by the fields of archaeology and earth science. TOPICS AND THEMES. The use of archaeological sites as paleoenvironmental archives, human impacts on ancient environments, Quaternary extinctions, long-term landscape evolution, plant and animal domestication, the Anthropocene and cultural collapse and resilience. Prerequisites: ANTH 202, ANTH 204 or approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.
ANTH 462 Method and Theory in the Peopling of the Americas
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Reviews current evidence from the fields of archaeology, genetics, biological anthropology and paleoecology for the dispersal of modern humans to the New World during the Pleistocene. Examines terminal Pleistocene cultures in Asia and the earliest sites in the Americas. Discusses various models proposed for this migration. Critically examines major archaeological sites and cultures. Stresses an interdisciplinary approach. Applies theory and method used to explain prehistoric human migration and colonization of empty lands. TOPICS AND THEMES. Pleistocene Americas; ancient DNA; paleoenvironments; radiocarbon dating; archaeological modeling; lithic analysis; ethnographic analogy; zooarchaeology and extinctions; archaeological site formation processes; critical analysis of fragmentary data; statistical analysis. This course will incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to the peopling of the Americas. Course content may include complex or sensitive topics and is designed to foster respectful, evidence-based discussion and critical engagement with multiple perspectives, skills essential for navigating a diverse and changing world. Prerequisites: ANTH 202 or ANTH 204 and approval of instructor.
ANTH 464 Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
Evaluation of modern ideas about how and why archaeological, architectural, ethnographic, and natural resources should be preserved and presented to current and future societies; critical examination of the theories, methods, regulations, and ethics that guide efforts to preserve and protect cultural heritage within a context of past endeavors and future directions. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
ANTH 472 Ancient Biomolecules
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores how biomolecules — DNA, proteins, lipids and metabolites — persist in plant and animal remains, artifacts and sediments for thousands to millions of years, preserving key insights into long-term ecological and human history. Determines how these molecules are preserved, identified and analyzed within archaeological contexts to address interdisciplinary questions about evolution, migration, diet, disease, culture, tool production, health and environmental change. Interpretation of biomolecular evidence will draw from archaeological, historical and scientific sources to reconstruct past lifeways within their own cultural and environmental settings. Develops the ability through lectures, discussions and data analysis to assess the suitability for different biomolecular methods for addressing specific research questions and critically evaluate current scientific literature in the field. Skills learned are directly applicable to making informed, evidence-based decisions, empowering students to navigate information-rich environments with discernment and confidence. Prior knowledge in either biology/biochemistry or archaeology is required, but not both. TOPICS AND THEMES. Analysis of the hereditary biomolecules DNA, proteins, lipids and metabolites; large-scale ‘omics’ approaches, including genomics, metagenomics, proteomics, metaproteomics, lipiomics and metabolomics used to investigate complex systems; instrumentation including PCR, Sanger sequencing, whole genome sequencing (NGS and WGS), chromatography and mass spectrometry; specialized applications such as environmental DNA, microbiomes and dental calculus genetics and proteomics; biomolecule preservation and degradation; ways biomolecular techniques are adapted for archaeological considerations; integration with other lines of archaeological, textual, historic and scientific evidence. This course may incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues relevant to archaeological biomolecules. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ANTH 202 or BIOL 111, or approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.
ANTH 476 Anthropology of Body Image
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. Evaluates core psychological, medical, evolutionary and anthropological theories of body image, eating disorders, fat and cosmetic surgery. Surveys and critiques theories of body image from the lens of medical anthropology and global mental health. Develops expertise in articulating the major theoretical questions, strengths and limitations of different frameworks, particularly in relation to cross-cultural variation. Critically analyzes global case studies of body image-related illnesses. Applies anthropological theories to identifying biases in the body image literature and public health consequences. Formulates anthropological solutions to conversations and concerns in the body image literature surrounding emerging trends, cross-cultural value- and knowledge-systems, and the challenges of treatment. TOPICS AND THEMES. Analysis of anthropological theories of the body; critique of current theories of body image and eating disorders; assessment of psychological and anthropological approaches to fat talk; critique and synthesis of biomedical and social justice approaches to weight and weight stigma; evaluation of limitations of eating disorders research from a cross-cultural perspective; formulation of anthropological solutions to emerging discussions in body image among men, racial minorities and sexual minorities; evaluating the cross-cultural motivations and ethics of cosmetic surgery; critiquing current treatments for eating disorders and obesity from an anthropological lens. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; or approval of instructor.
ANTH 484 Anthropology Internship
Credits 0 to 3.
0 to 3 Other Hours.
Provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in a variety of settings, including local, state or federal agencies; museums; non-profit organizations; non-governmental organizations; private firms. May be taken four times for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
ANTH 485 Directed Studies
Credits 0 to 9.
0 to 9 Other Hours.
For individual research in anthropology on subjects not included in established courses. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior clasification or approval of instructor; also taught at Galveston campus.
ANTH 489 Special Topics in...
Credits 1 to 4.
1 to 4 Lecture Hours.
Selected topics in an identified area of anthropology. May be repeated for credit.
ANTH 491 Research
Credits 0 to 3.
0 to 3 Other Hours.
Research conducted under the direction of a faculty member in Anthropology. May be taken four times for credit. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor.
Museum Studies (MUST)
MUST 221 Foundations of Museum Studies
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
COURSE OVERVIEW. An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of museum studies, exploring how museums collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit material culture to convey cultural, historical and scientific knowledge. Emphasizes museums as dynamic institutions shaped by ethical, educational and civic responsibilities and fosters critical inquiry into questions such as: Who do museums serve? How do objects acquire meaning? What responsibilities do museums have to communities and history? Provides a foundation for further study in museum work while developing skills in civic engagement, applied learning, collaboration, inclusion and leadership. Engages museums as spaces for dialogue and lifelong learning, encouraging reflection on how they shape public understanding and express broader social values. May incorporate topics that respond to current events, student interests or emerging issues in museum studies. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include: history and development of museums; collecting practices from antiquity to the present; analysis of museum organization, leadership structures and varying types of institutions; consideration of professional standards, collections stewardship; evaluation of interpretation, educational programming and strategies for access and inclusion; ethical, educational and civic responsibilities of museums. Cross Listing: ANTH 221 and ARCH 221.
MUST 421/ANTH 421 Advanced Museum Studies
Credits 3.
3 Lecture Hours.
0 Lab Hours.
Advanced exploration of historical, political and cultural forces shaping contemporary museum practices and exhibition design, with emphasis on ethical and professional responsibilities in modern institutions. Focuses on the collaborative and interdisciplinary processes behind exhibition planning and production, with attention to visitor experience, inclusive design and object-based interpretation. Critically engages with contemporary challenges in the museum field, including representation, decolonization, repatriation, activism, censorship and institutional accountability. Highlights the museum’s role in public service, education, knowledge advancement and civic discourse. Includes field trips to campus and local museums, archives and historical or cultural institutions to support experiential learning and engagement with professional practices and careers. Fulfills core requirement for the Museum Studies Minor. Topics and themes may include: Historical and contemporary models of museum programming; research methodologies and scholarly use of collections; educational theory and practice in museum contexts; public outreach and community engagement; ethics of representation, access and inclusion; museums and democratic ideals, civic responsibility and public trust; professional standards and leadership in museum operations; critical evaluation of exhibitions and interpretive strategies; responsive programming tied to current events and emerging issues. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MUST 221, ANTH 221, ARCH 221 or MAST 220; junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ANTH 421/MUST 421.
MUST 484 Internship
Credits 0 to 3.
0 to 3 Other Hours.
Provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in a variety of cultural heritage settings, including museums, archives, libraries, art galleries, conservation and preservation laboratories, and collection facilities. May be taken four times for credit. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.
Anderson, Monya, Instructional Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Oregon, 2019
Athreya, Sheela, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Washington University in St. Louis, 2003
Bojakowski, Peter, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2012
Carlson, Deborah N, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Texas, 2004
Crisman, Kevin J, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Pennsylvania, 1989
Custer Bojakowski, Katie, Instructional Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2011
De Ruiter, Darryl J, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, 2001
Dostal, Christopher M, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2017
Fuller, Olivia Layne Thomas, Visiting Lecturer
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2025
Gursky, Sharon, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1997
Halligan, Jessi Jean, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2012
Hopkins, Allison, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Florida, 2009
Kennedy, Carolyn, Instructional Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019
Korzow, Kristine Sofia, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2014
Laporte, Catharina M, Instructional Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2013
Lemus, Sergio, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016
Lynch, Darrell W, Lecturer
Anthropology
PHD, University of Tennessee, 2014
Monocello, Lawrence, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, The University of Alabama, 2022
Nutor, Benjamin Kofi, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Texas at Austin, 2021
Osborn, Jo, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Michigan, 2022
Pulak, Cemalettin M, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1996
Rademaker, Kurt, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Maine, 2012
Selig, Keegan Rayne, Assistant Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of Toronto, 2021
Thakar, Heather B, Associate Professor
Anthropology
PHD, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2014
Wachsmann, Shelley, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University, 1991
Waters, Michael R, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, The University of Arizona, 1980
Werner, Cynthia A, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, Indiana University, 1997
Winking, Jeffrey W, Professor
Anthropology
PHD, The University of New Mexico, 2005