University of San Diego
Anthropology
Serra Hall 207
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 260-4698
monicaw@SanDiego.edu
Department Chair
Angelo Orona, Ph.D.
aorona@sandiego.edu
Media Contact
Denise Ward
wardd@sandiego.edu
(619) 260-4600 x6994
Find us on
Course Descriptions
Introductory Courses (ANTH)
101 Introduction to Biological Anthropology / 3 UNITS
An investigation of the nature of humankind, including the history of evolutionary theory, the fossil record, dating techniques, primate evolution and behavior, and human heredity, variation, and adaptation. (every semester)
102 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology / 3 UNITS
An introduction to the nature of culture, techniques of fieldwork, linguistics, components of cultural systems, such as subsistence patterns, socio-political organization, religion, worldview, diversity, change, and current problems. (every semester)
103 Introduction to Archaeology / 3 UNITS
A discussion of the techniques and concepts used by archaeologists for developing insights into the behavior of past societies; a survey of past societies as revealed by archaeological research. (every semester)
Upper Division Courses (ANTH)
Biological Anthropology Courses
310 Human Evolution / 3 UNITS
An examination of early developments and current knowledge about origins of modern humans and their relationships to the Neandertals. Examples from contemporary literature will be analyzed in light of recent scientific reconstructions. Prerequisite: ANTH 101 and 103, or consent of instructor.
311 Primatology / 3 UNITS
An introduction to the study of non-human primates: prosimians, New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, and apes. The course focuses on primate behavior and how it relates to the study of human biocultural evolution. Of special concern are the relationships and adaptations of the primates to varied environments. The primate collection at the San Diego Zoo will be an integral part of the course. Various observational and data collecting techniques will be employed in zoo projects. Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or consent of instructor.
312 Paleopathology / 3 UNITS
An introduction to the study of ancient human pathologies through the study of bones and mummies. The course will focus on how the human skeletal system adapts to trauma, disease organisms, and environmental conditions, such as diet, climate, temperature, soil, and water. Basic skeletal anatomy and other osteological techniques such as age and sex determination will be an essential part of the course. Current problems in epidemiology will be examined in relation to diseases of the past. Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or consent of instructor.
313 Forensic Anthropology / 3 UNITS
A survey of the techniques used by forensic anthropologists to assist in the identification of human skeletal remains. The course will focus on learning how to tell human from animal bones, sex identification from the skeleton, age estimation from bone and teeth, stature estimation from measurements of limb bones, and occupational inferences from stress marks on bones. Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or consent of instructor.
314 Bones: Human Osteology / 3 UNITS
The study of the human skeleton in two main areas: identification of recently deceased individuals in a legal context, and historic or prehistoric remains as a contribution to human history. This hands-on course will include bone biology, development, growth, variation, and repair. Students will identify all parts of the skeletal system and dentition and learn how to measure bones and identify non-metric features and stress markers. Prerequisite: ANTH 101 or consent of instructor.
Cultural Anthropology Courses
320D North American Indian Cultures / 3 UNITS
A survey of prehistory, history, social organization, economy, worldview, and contemporary issues of American Indian and Inuit groups across North America (north of Mexico) from ethnohistorical and applied anthropology perspectives. Regional adaptations stemming from environmental and intercultural linkages are highlighted. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
321D California and Great Basin Indian Cultures / 3 UNITS
An overview of the environment and cultural history of native California and the neighboring Great Basin region. Close examination of Southern California groups: Gabrileño, Serrano, Cahuilla, Cupeño, Luiseño, and Kumeyaay cultures and contemporary issues. Lecture-discussions, ethnographies, biographies, and California Indian guest lecturers. Field trips may be included. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
323D Southwest Indian Cultures / 3 UNITS
A survey of the ethnography of Native Americans in the Greater Southwest (the American Southwest and the Mexican Northwest). Emphasis on the interplay of each culture with its ecological environment and surrounding cultures, particularly the historically dominant colonial European settlers. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
327 South American Indian Cultures / 3 UNITS
A survey of the aboriginal populations of South America; origins and development of culture types as revealed by archaeology, biological anthropology, colonial writings, and modern ethnographic studies. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
328 Caribbean Cultures / 3 UNITS
A survey of the environments, ethnohistory, cultures, and current concerns of the peoples of the Caribbean region, including the Greater and Lesser Antilles and the east coast of Central America. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
Archaeology Courses
330D North American Archaeology / 3 UNITS
An examination of the development of the prehistoric cultures of North America from the earliest occupations to the historic period. This course examines the evidence for the first migrations into the North America and subsequent development of the diversity of Native American cultures. The culture area approach (i.e., the Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest, Midwest, Great Plains, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Great Basin, and California) will be used to organize the class discussions. The primary emphasis will be the culture areas north of Mexico, but developments in Mesoamerica will be discussed where relevant. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or consent of instructor.
331D Southwestern Archaeology / 3 UNITS
An examination of the development and changing face of human adaptation in the southwestern part of North America since the earliest human occupations. Views based on archaeological evidence are emphasized. The course highlights the diversity of environmental zones and shifting strategies of resource utilization seen in the region that date from prehistoric times to the end of the 19th century. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or consent of instructor.
332 Mesoamerican Archaeology / 3 UNITS
An introduction to the accomplishments of the ancient inhabitants of Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador). The course focuses on the achievements of the Olmecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and others in the areas of art, ideology, writing, calendrics, mathematics, and politics. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or consent of instructor.
334 South American Archaeology / 3 UNITS
An introductory survey of the prehistoric cultures of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile. The focus of the course is upon the artistic, ideological, social, and economic aspects of the Cupisnique, Moche, Nasca, Inca, and other cultures. The development and evolution of prehispanic Andean society are examined from a processual viewpoint. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or consent of instructor
335 Nautical Archaeology / 3 UNITS
An introduction to the practice of archaeology underwater. This course examines maritime-based civilizations and their impact on society. Emphasis is placed on the role of the ship in exploration, discovery, contact, empire, trade, and warfare. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or consent of instructor.
336 Pre-Classical Seafaring / 3 UNITS
A survey course that will examine the advent of seafaring through the iconographic and archaeological records, from the earliest of times up to the Classical Period in the Mediterranean. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 and 335 or consent of instructor.
339 Post-Medieval Seafaring and Empire / 3 UNITS
A survey course that examines the advents of shipbuilding and seafaring to promote Empire in the New World. Beginning with Columbus’ voyages at the close of the fifteenth century and concluding with the American Civil War, students will utilize archaeological and historical sources to better understand colonization, water−borne commerce, and naval warfare. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 and 335 or consent of instructor.
360D Nautical Anthropology of California / 3 UNITS
A survey course that examines the advent of seafaring in California, from the Paleolithic to Modern Ages. Students will utilize archaeological and historical sources to explore a variety of strategies for resource utilization, water-borne commerce, and the burgeoning naval defense industry, beginning with early coastal settlers and ending in the 21st century. Emphasis will be placed on San Diego’s maritime history. Prerequisites: 2 of the following: ANTH 102, 103, 335, or consent of instructor.
362 Piracy in the New World / 3 UNITS
An examination of the sociology of seafaring communities through the historical record of piratical activity, the economic impact of piracy on contemporary societies, the archaeological evidence of pirate ventures, the sensationalism of pirate legend, and the cultural responses to the influences of the pirate phenomenon. Prerequisite: ANTH 103 and 335 or consent of instructor.
Methods Courses
341 Museology / 3 UNITS
An introduction to museum work combining theory, critique, and practice. The course presents the history of museums, the development of curation and conservation practices, and focuses on the educational role of modern museums through exhibit design and installation. Field trips to local museums and galleries are requisite. Students will collectively produce an exhibit — select an exhibit theme, choose the objects to be shown, research the theme and the objects, write label copy, design the case layouts, and orchestrate the exhibit opening — utilizing the resources of USD’s David W. May American Indian Collection. Prerequisite: ANTH 102, 103, or consent of instructor.
343 The Ancient Dead: Bioarchaeology / 3 UNITS
An examination of how archaeologists and biological anthropologists excavate and analyze the remains of past societies. Students are introduced to the theories, methods, and techniques of fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Basic skeletal and artifact analysis is the core of the course. Lectures, readings, group discussions, digital presentations, and guest speakers are also included. Field trips may supplement the core material. Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or consent of instructor.
349W Writing Anthropology / 3 UNITS
A practicum in anthropological writing including professional publication (books and journals), grant proposals (both for funds and fellowships), popular journals, museum exhibition catalogs, and electronic media. Students in this course will learn to communicate effectively in various formats following guidelines established by the American Anthropological Association, American Association of Museums, and funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation. Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 102, or 103. (fall semester)
460 Ethnographic Field Methods / 3 UNITS
A fieldwork course that applies standard ethnographic methods of participant/observation and interviewing techniques, life history studies, demographic method, genealogical method, and etic-emic distinctions. No library work required. Student initiates individual field research projects using ethnographic techniques. Prerequisite: ANTH 102. (spring semester)
Topical Courses
350 Film as Anthropology / 3 UNITS
A survey of various world cultures using the genre of cinema. The course will examine universal human themes such as emotions, power, gender, and worldview and attempt to extract an insider’s perspective from each film. The focus will be on how culture influences behavior. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
352 Ethnobiology / 3 UNITS
A survey of the major areas of current research such as folk taxonomies, traditional ecological knowledge (the relationship of plants and animals to hunter-gatherers and subsistence agriculturalists), folk medicine and ethno-pharmacology, archaeobotany and archaeozoology. Emphasis will be on the cognitive aspects, but methodologies will also be included. A field trip is required. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor. A biology course is recommended.
353D Plants and Animals in Southwestern Mythology / 3 UNITS
An exploration of the role specific plants and animals as metaphors play in the mythology (sacred texts) of various Southwest Indian cultures. Knowing the biology of the particular organism as well as the unique cultures that told the stories will open up the deeper, often elusive meanings of individual myths. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
354D Origin Myths of the Southwest / 3 UNITS
A survey of the mythology of four major groups of Native Americans from the Greater Southwest — Yumans, Pimans, Puebloans, and Athabascans or Apacheans. Origin myths from these groups include creation, emergence, dispersal, and flood stories as well as flute lore and dying-god stories. The course examines how myths function in the four groups, how they reflect the subsistence base, worldviews, and individual and community needs; it also looks at myth as an art form. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
355 Anthropology of Gender / 3 UNITS
A survey of a wide range of sex and gender constructs and implications for related aspects of culture and human evolution. Students learn to examine and critically analyze variations in human biology, prehistory and social frameworks regarding sex and gender. Topics include the role of gender in economic organization, ritual, politics, development, culture change and science and technology. Prerequisite: ANTH 102, 103, or consent of instructor.
364D Surf Culture and History / 3 UNITS
This course examines the historical and socio-cultural components of one of Southern California’s fastest growing leisure activities. Successful participation in this sport and membership in its local subcultures are contingent upon specialized knowledge of geography, wave physics, weather patterns, ocean biota, board design, and the often complex yet subtle intricacies of regional customs. Emphasis is placed on surfing’s Polynesian roots and their transmission — via the Hawaiian Islands — to Southern California, whence surf music, literature, art, and movies have become ambassadors for an international phenomenon. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
370 Indigenous Religions / 3 UNITS
An examination of the elements, forms, and symbolism of religion among indigenous peoples; role of religion in society; anthropological theories of belief systems. Prerequisite:
ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
380 Cultural Diversity / 3 UNITS
A cross-cultural study of social systems; principles of organization and relationships of society to ecological conditions; methodology of comparisons; and ethnographic materials. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
Special Topics Courses
463 Antiquities: Who Owns the Past? / 3 UNITS
An anthropological investigation of ethical ownership of the past. The black-market in antiquities is a multi-million dollar a year business despite the attempts of most countries to stake legal claim to such objects as national patrimony. This course examines the current chain of events in antiquities trafficking, from the peasant digging in his field to sales in the world’s premier auction houses. It also examines the means by which most of the world’s museums came by their antiquities collections and the controversy concerning their continued ownership (e.g. the British Museum’s Greek marble statuary). Prerequisite: ANTH 349W or consent of instructor.
470 Shamans, Art, and Creativity / 3 UNITS
An investigation of the phenomenon of art in human society from earliest times to the present. The course considers art as an integral part of culture and examines the role of the shaman in art’s origins. The course samples a wide range of art traditions in their cultural context, such as that of the Huichols of northwestern Mexico, the Shipibo of eastern Peru, and the Tungus reindeer herders of Siberia. Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 102, 103 or consent of instructor.
480 Applied/Public Anthropology / 3 UNITS
A practicum in the acquisition and application of culturally appropriate data, this course studies how anthropologists use their unique set of academic tools to deal with culture, power, and agency. Illustrative areas of activity include: human service needs assessment; program planning and evaluation; environmental impact assessment; educational and public policy development and analysis; and heritage resource management, Through coursework and related apprenticeships, students will gain a better understanding of how anthropological knowledge and skills can be employed in occupations other than academe. Current issues and strategies in popular participation and alternative development will form the core of the course. Prerequisite: ANTH 102 or consent of instructor.
495 Research Seminar / 3 UNITS
A capstone course wherein students develop a special topic that contributes new knowledge in the discipline. Research includes laboratory, field, or library investigation. Prerequisite: ANTH 349W or consent of instructor.
494 Issues in Anthropology / 3 UNITS
Critical discussions with regard to major issues confronting the various sub-disciplines of anthropology. May be repeated for anthropology elective credit if topic differs. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
498 Internship / 3 UNITS
An apprenticeship to be undertaken within the San Diego anthropological community (that is, San Diego Museum of Man, the San Diego Archaeological Center, the Office of the San Diego County Archaeologist, CALTRANS, etc.). The apprenticeship will be developed by the student, his or her mentor, and the Anthropology Program. Prerequisite: Consent of program director. (every semester)
499 Independent Study / 1-3 UNITS
A project developed by the student in coordination with an instructor that investigates a field of interest to the student not normally covered by established anthropology courses. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and program director. (every semester)
