Anthropology 101L
Physical Anthropology Lab

This general education laboratory course, designed to complement the lecture course, is for students interested in expanding their knowledge of physical anthropology. Students will be introduced to the methods, techniques, and procedures used in physical anthropology research, gaining practical experience by participating in laboratory activities and experiments employing the scientific method. Laboratory exercises will include an assessment of the forces that affect evolutionary change, the observation of primate behavior, the assessment of human variation, and the identification and classification of the skeletal features of humans, non-human primates, and human ancestors. Also included will be an exploration of Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics.

Anthropology 103
Introduction to Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of past societies through the analysis of material remains. This general education course will survey the development of major cultural centers around the world including those found in Mesoamerica, South America, Egypt, China, Africa, and the Middle East. Examples drawn from many ancient sites will trace human societies from pre-agricultural communities, through the origins of agriculture, to the rise of major political and economic institutions. Students will learn how archaeologists discover information about the past, the history of the discipline, and the important issues confronting the field today.

Anthropology 125
Religion, Magic, Witchcraft, and the Supernatural

This course is designed for students interested in learning about the diverse religious beliefs and practices around the world. An introduction to the anthropological study of religion will include an overview of the various forms of religious belief systems, the variety of gods and other supernatural forces, the use of myths, rituals, and ceremonies in religious practice, and the types of shamans, priests, and other religious specialists found in religious systems. The religious use of drugs will be explored along with traditional healing practices and folk medicine remedies used in many Western cultures. A survey of witchcraft, sorcery, the occult, demons, exorcism rites, sacrificial practices, and magic will be included. In addition, concepts relating to death and the afterlife will be explored such as souls, ghosts, reincarnation, zombies, and others.