Proseminar in Biological Anthropology (3)

Bernstein, Sherwood

Comprehensive overview of theory and practice in biological anthropology. (Fall)

Proseminar in Sociocultural Anthropology (3)

Lubkemann, Grinker, Allen

Comprehensive overview of theory and practice in sociocultural anthropology. (Fall)

Proseminar in Archaeology (3)

Blomster

Survey of the most recent archaeological techniques and theoretical approaches to reconstructing and interpreting the cultures of the past. (Spring)

Proseminar in Linguistic Anthropology (3)

Kuipers, Dent

Contemporary anthropological studies of language in biological, social, and historical perspectives. (Spring)

Anthropology in the Museum (3)

Staff

How anthropological collections take shape in the past and carry meaning in the present. Research and analysis of existing collections; issues in museum anthropology.

Museums and the Public: Exhibiting Culture (3)

Staff

Study of the issues and problems involved in "exhibiting culture," past and present, including issues of representation, message and interpretation, audience, ownership of objects and symbols, and ways of reconstructing the past. Critical examination of museum exhibits.

Preventive Conservation Concepts (3)

Staff

Same as MStd 6203/AH 6286.

Preventive Conservation Techniques (3)

Staff

Same as MStd 6204/AH 6287.

Problems in Conservation (3)

Staff

Individual conservation projects to determine composition, construction, decomposition of materials, and possible stabilization techniques. Conservation laboratory experience. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Anth 6203/AH 6286.

Internship in Museum Anthropology (1 to 6)

Blomster

Supervised individual research and/or field work at the Smithsonian Institution or other area museums, arranged in consultation with the museum and the Anthropology Department. Admission by arrangement with the department chair or museum training advisor. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 6 credits. (Fall and spring)

The Anthropology of Development (3)

Miller and Staff

Theoretical perspectives that distinguish the contribution of anthropology to understanding processes of change in the Third World. Focus on health, population, environment, gender, and tourism issues. The role of anthropology in planning and implementing projects and policy. (Fall)

Issues in Development (3)

Miller and Staff

Topic to be announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs.

Internship in Development Anthropology (3)

Miller

Supervised participation in a selected development agency or other relevant organization. Opportunity to observe agency procedures and gain practical experience. Admission by permission of instructor or department chair. (Fall, spring, and summer)

Research Methods in Development Anthropology (3)

Miller and Staff

Anthropologists' roles in research-related activities, such as feasibility studies, social soundness analysis, and evaluations. Innovative research techniques, such as interactive data gathering, team survey methods, and rapid rural appraisal. Admission by permission of instructor. (Spring)

Anthropology and Contemporary Problems (3)

Staff

Exploration of anthropological perspectives on a current issue, such as refugees, ethnic violence, national mythologies, and women's health in developing countries. Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs.

Human Functional Anatomy (3)

Staff

Growth and function of the musculoskeletal system, including the development, anatomy, and histology of bone, biomechanics of muscle and skeletal tissue, craniofacial and dental growth and morphology, and locomotion. No prior knowledge of anatomy required. Laboratory fee. (Fall)

The Evolution of Primate Life Histories (3)

Bernstein

Recent developments in the study of human and non-human life histories. Life history theory. Life history traits compared among primate groups in order to determine how selective pressures have shaped extant primate life history patterns. Laboratory fee.

Human Growth and Development (3)

Bernstein

Modern human growth and development considered through an evolutionary perspective. The growth stages and life cycles of modern humans, emphasizing physiological and environmental influences and comparisons with extant non-human primates and fossil hominids. Laboratory fee. (Spring, alternate years)

Paleoanthropology (1 to 3)

Brooks, Wood, and Staff

Survey of current research in hominid and hominoid evolution, focusing on the integrated nature of the field. Contributions from the geological and biological sciences will be stressed, together with innovative geochemical techniques for establishing chronological sequences. Prerequisite: Anth 3412 or BiSc 2450 or equivalent. (Spring)

Analytical Methods in Human Evolutionary Studies (3)

Richmond

A survey of methods and approaches for data collection and analysis in human evolutionary biology research. Topics include comparative methods and basic and multivariate statistics. (Spring, alternate years)

Topics in Biological Anthropology (3)

Staff

Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes . Instructors will be drawn from GW faculty and Smithsonian Institution staff. May be repeated for credit if topic varies.

Gender and Sexuality (3)

Staff

Study of new theoretical and methodological approaches developed in the anthropology of gender. Topics include postcolonialism, sexuality, and literary representations of gender.

Medical Anthropology (3)

Miller

Concepts of medical anthropology, including the cultural construction of illness, the somatic expression of distress, and ethnopsychiatries; "critical" versus "conventional" medical anthropology.

Topics in Medical Anthropology (3)

Staff

Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit if the topic varies.

Nationalism and Ethnicity (3)

Grinker

Major theoretical and ethnographic issues in the study of nationalism worldwide. Explores how ethnic groups emerge in colonial and contemporary plural societies and how states attempt to integrate ethnic groups into nations.

Ethics and Cultural Property (3)

Blomster and Staff

Survey of ethical issues in anthropology, focusing on cultural property and repatriation; the epistemological, ethical, and political dilemmas of excavating, collecting, and owning cultural artifacts.

Anthropology of Art, Aesthetics, and Symbolism (3)

Allen

Anthropological approaches to aesthetic problems and theories of symbolism in the context of ethnographic materials. (Fall, alternate years)

Methods in Sociocultural Anthropology (3)

Lubkemann

Epistemology; the definition of research problems; selection of research subjects and sites; techniques of data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews); data management and organization; ethical protocols; issues of safety; grant writing and funding.

American Folklife (3)

Vlach

The materials of American folk culture, concentrating on folk architecture, crafts, and art. Major organizing themes are regionalism and the use of objects as indicators of cultural intention. Same as AmSt 6561. (Fall)

Folklore Theory (3)

Vlach

An intellectual history of American folklore research; analysis of particular theories and methods. Same as AmSt 6562. (Spring)

Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology (3)

Allen and Staff

Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit if the topic varies.

Topics in Linguistic Anthropology (3)

Kuipers and Staff

Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit if the topic varies.

Anthropology of Latin America (3)

Allen and Staff

Intensive study of a selected topic in the anthropology of Central and/or South America. Topic to be announced.

Issues in Middle East Anthropology (3)

Feldman

Selected topics in the anthropology of the Middle East. Topic to be announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs.

Paleolithic Archaeology (3)

Brooks and Staff

Current problems relating to materials from the Old World.

Problems in Eurasian and African Archaeology (3)

Cline and Staff

Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes . Topics may include Bronze Age conflict, the Celts, etc. May be repeated for credit.

Problems in New World Archaeology (3)

Blomster and Staff

Current archaeological problems relating to the origin and development of aboriginal cultures. Specific topic to be announced in the Schedule of Classes . May be repeated for credit.

Problems in Mesoamerican Archaeology (3)

Blomster

Topics range from specific civilizations, such as the Olmec, to pan-Mesoamerican topics, such as religion and exchange. May be repeated for credit.

Technology (3)

Blomster and Staff

Cross-cultural examination of the form, function, meaning, and use of material culture and the behavior patterns involved in its production.Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes .

Public Archaeology (3)

Cressey

The use and creation of the past and the relationship between archaeologists and different publics. (Spring, alternate years)

Paleoanthropological Field Program (3 or 6)

Brooks

Intensive course on field research in paleoanthropology, including excavation methods, identification and analysis of materials, paleoecology, archaeology, and human anatomy. Conducted at selected sites in Eurasia, Africa, or Australia. Visits to comparative sites and collections in the region. (Summer)

Historical Archaeology Field Program (3)

Cressey

Practical experience with a variety of excavation and laboratory techniques in historical archaeology; specific site and topics announced in the Schedule of Classes . Same as AmSt 6835. (Summer)

Archaeological Theory (3)

Blomster

Overview of major theories and positions in American archaeology; examination of new issues and directions in which the field appears to be moving.

Brooks, Blomster, and Staff

Research methods and techniques used by archaeologists. Emphasis on hands-on experience in one or more techniques. Laboratory fee. (Spring, alternate years)

Topics in Archaeology (3)

Staff

Major issues related to the theory and practice of archaeology. Topic announced in the Schedule of Classes .

Research (arr.)

Staff

May be repeated for credit.

Thesis Research (3-3)

Staff

Advanced Reading and Research (arr.)

Staff

Limited to students preparing for the Doctor of Philosophy general examination. May be repeated for credit.

Dissertation Research (arr.)

Staff

Limited to Doctor of Philosophy candidates. May be repeated for credit.