General Catalog 2009-2010

Programs and Courses

Anthropology

• General Information
• Course Descriptions

General Information

For Information: Dean Wheeler
Phone: 623.845.3903

Student Goals: General Education, Career-related, Personal

Anthropology courses examine the origins, cultures, biology, and social behaviors of human beings in both the past and the present. Students take these courses:

• For Personal Interest: ASB102 emphasizes different cultures around the world, while ASM104 focuses on human origins and variation. ASB202 looks at the relationships of different groups in the U.S., past and present. ASB214 discusses religions from around the world. ASB222, ASB223 and ASB230 introduce students to the methods and discoveries of archaeology. ASB235 covers past Native American culture in the Southwest. All courses transfer to Arizona universities.

• To meet General Education Requirements: Anthropology courses may also be used to meet the following requirements for any associate degree and will also transfer:

Humanities: ASB211, ASB220, ASB222, ASB223

Social and Behavioral Sciences: ASB102, ASB211, ASB214, ASB222, ASB223, ASB230, ASB235, ASM104

Natural Sciences: ASB231, ASM104

Global Awareness: ASB102, ASB211, ASB214, ASB222, ASB223

Historical Awareness: ASB202, ASB222, ASB223, ASB235, ASM104

Cultural Diversity: ASB202, ASB235

• To Prepare for a Major at ASU-Main: Those intending to transfer as anthropology majors should complete ASM104, ASB102, and either ASB222 or ASB223. Consult with Dr. Dean Wheeler, Social Science department, in selecting additional anthropology courses for transfer to ASU-Main.

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Course Descriptions

Course Availability: (F) Fall, (S) Spring, (D) Day, (E) Evening, (Su1) Summer 1, (Su2) Summer 2, (O) Occasionally

Anthropology: Social/Behavioral Science (ASB)

ASB102
Introduction to Cultural and Social Anthropology / 3 credits / 3 periods
Principles of cultural and social anthropology, with illustrative materials from a variety of cultures. The nature of culture; social, political, and economic systems; religion, aesthetics and language. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E)

ASB202
Ethnic Relations in the United States / 3 credits / 3 periods
Basic concepts and processes, including historic overview, of interethnic relations in the United States: culture, race, ethnicity, ethnocentrism, prejudice, discrimination, racism, assimilation, acculturation, and individual and group responses to interethnic contact. Cultural knowledge and intercultural communication skills and perspectives as fundamental tools for successful management of social relations in a multicultural world. Prerequisites: None. (O)

ASB211
Women in Other Cultures / 3 credits / 3 periods
Cross-cultural analysis of the economic, social, political, and religious factors that affect women's status in traditional and modern societies. Prerequisites: None. (O)

ASB214
Magic, Witchcraft and Healing: An Introduction to Comparative Religion / 3 credits / 3 periods
Origins, elements, and forms of religion; a comparative survey of religious beliefs, myths, rituals and symbolism including magic, witchcraft and healing as practiced in selected regions of the world; the place of religion in the total culture. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E)

ASB220
Anthropology Goes to the Movies / 3 credits / 3 periods
Archaeology and anthropology through the lens of popular films of the 20th and 21st Century. Explores the popularity of ancient humans as a topic for film ventures and how accurately they are portrayed. Provides the student with a basic knowledge of anthropology and offers film images of anthropologists and archaeologists and the practice of archaeology and anthropology. Analyzes accuracy of films depicting culture and our human past. Prerequisites: None. (O)

ASB222
Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: Old World / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to archaeology through discoveries and the researchers who made them. Emphasis on methods of archaeological fieldwork and what these discoveries reveal about humanity, including the nature of archaeological inquiry, the development of human social groups, the changing role of religion in evolving societies, the origins of agriculture, the origins of settled lifeways, the rise of cities and complex societies, political strife across different cultures and the forces which tend to fragment societies. Examples drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and Australia. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E)

ASB223
Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: New World / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to archaeology through discoveries and the researchers who made them. Emphasis on methods of archaeological fieldwork and what these discoveries reveal about humanity, including the nature of archaeological inquiry, the development of human social groups, the changing role of religion in evolving societies, the origins of agriculture, the origins of settled life ways, the rise of cities and complex societies, political strife across different cultures and the forces which fragment societies. Examples drawn from North American, Central America, and South America. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D, E)

ASB230
Principles of Archaeology / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to archaeological methods and theory. Prerequisites: None. (O)

ASB234
Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt / 3 credits / 3 periods
Excavation of an archaeological site; recording and interpreting data collected during the field experience. Overview of the cultures concerned; contemporary issues in archaeology. Prerequisites: None. (O)

ASB235
Southwest Archaeology / 3 credits / 3 periods
Anthropological perspective and comparative study of the cultures of prehistoric native peoples of the North American southwest. Prerequisites: None. (O)

ASB298
Special Projects / 1-3 credits
Organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student. Structured to provide an atmosphere of individualized research and study paralleled by professional expertise and guidance. Professional-type facilities and equipment available for student use. Allows the best aspects of independent study and individualized learning to be combined to maximize student development. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or instructor. (O)

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Anthropology: Science/Mathematics (ASM)

ASM104
Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution / 4 credits / 5 periods
Study of human evolution and variation; including fossil hominids and their tools, primate anatomy and behavior, human genetics, and the environment and human biology. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E)

ASM275
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to forensic anthropology. Survey of the role of forensic anthropologist, from the crime scene to the courtroom. Understand how a forensic anthropologist can determine life history of an individual. Contributions of forensic anthropology to crime scene and other legal investigations. How forensic anthropology is used to decipher historic cases, and how it is depicted in popular culture. Case studies involving criminal investigations, mass disaster incidents, and global human rights issues. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)

ASM298
Special Projects / 1-3 credits
Organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student. Structured to provide an atmosphere of individualized research and study paralleled by professional expertise and guidance. Professional-type facilities and equipment available for student use. Allows the best aspects of independent study and individualized learning to be combined to maximize student development. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or instructor. (O)

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