XII. Course Descriptions

Anthropology

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers three types of courses: sociology courses with the prefix SOC*; anthropology courses with the prefix ANTH*; and departmental courses with the prefix SOAN*.

Courses will normally be offered in the semesters designated. For information on other semesters these courses will be offered and the semesters those courses without designations will be offered, please check with the department. In addition to regularly scheduled courses, students may elect to do independent study. A student who wishes to do a reading course should first consult the professor with whom he/she wishes to work. Please note: a student is allowed a total of 1.00 credits only for reading courses.

Please note: The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.

ANTH*1120 Biological Anthropology F (3-0) [0.50]
In this course students will be introduced to the central concepts of biological anthropology. Potential topics to be explored include hominid evolution, contemporary human diversity, nutrition and diet, and an introduction of forensic anthropology and paleopathology.
ANTH*1150 Introduction to Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course deals with humankind from a broad historical and cross-cultural perspective. Theoretical models, case studies and specific methods will be presented. Course topics may include the origin and transformations of human society, the relationship between biological and cultural traits, human language, variation in family structure and religion, the economic and political aspects of human society. (Also offered through Distance Education format.)
ANTH*2160 Social Anthropology W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will cover basic concepts that contribute to various anthropological approaches to the study of culture and society, such as the case study method and participant observation. The development of theory and methods will be examined through reading selected classic and contemporary ethnographies.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*1150
ANTH*2230 Regional Ethnography F (3-0) [0.50]
This course offers a survey of ethnographic studies on selected cultural/geographical areas of the world. Topics covered may include social, economic and political systems, the colonial encounter, and the theoretical, methodological and political contexts of ethnographic representation. Focus may be given to such areas as Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, or Oceania.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*1150
Restriction(s): ANTH*4230
ANTH*2660 Contemporary Native Peoples of Canada W (3-0) [0.50]
An analysis of the impact of Euro-Canadian society on native culture. Particular emphasis will be given to contemporary issues relating to Canadian native peoples (Indians, Inuit and Metis) such as education, treaties and reserves, land claims, government administration and economic development.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*1150 or SOC*1100
ANTH*3400 The Anthropology of Gender W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will address theoretical innovation in the discipline of socio-cultural anthropology in the study of gender and feminist issues on the basis of cross-cultural ethnographic case studies. Theoretical problems such as gender inequality, complementarity, the domestic/public divide, ritual and symbolic valuations and the division of labour will be considered in the context of cultural relativity. (Offered in even-numbered years.)
Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including (ANTH*2160 or SOAN*2400), (SOAN*2120 or WMST*3000)
ANTH*3650 Prehistory of Canadian Native Peoples F (3-0) [0.50]
This is a course in Aboriginal studies which uses archaeological, ethno-historical and contemporary research to examine the culture and social organization of First Nations peoples in Canada from their early beginnings to European contact.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*2160, (ANTH*2230 or ANTH*2660)
Restriction(s): ANTH*2650
ANTH*3670 Indigenous Peoples: Global Context W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will focus on aboriginality as a political and cultural identity. Historical, political, and cultural similarities between indigenous peoples the world over will be traced and key issues such as assimilation, cultural survival, protection of the commons, and the environment and cultural identity within the nation state will be examined. International organizations of indigenous peoples will be considered as well as other forms of transnational assertions of common identity and resistance. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)
Prerequisite(s): (1 of ANTH*2160, ANTH*2230, ANTH*2660, SOC*2660, IDEV*2010, IDEV*2500), SOAN*2120
ANTH*3690 History of Anthropological Thought F (3-0) [0.50]
This course offers a historical survey of the main trends in anthropological theory from the 19th century to the present.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*2160, ANTH*2230, SOAN*2120
ANTH*3770 Kinship and Social Organization W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will deal with the theoretical implications of the study of kinship systems for an analysis of human society in general, including a comparative study of the social organization of kinship-based societies.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*2160, ANTH*2230, SOAN*2120
ANTH*3840 Seminar in Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will be offered as a structured seminar on various topics depending upon the interests of the faculty member teaching the course. Topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection. The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.
Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including ANTH*2160, SOAN*2120
ANTH*3850 Seminar in Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will be offered as a structured seminar on various topics depending upon the interests of the faculty member teaching the course. Topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection. The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.
Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits including ANTH*2160, SOAN*2120
ANTH*3950 Special Projects in Anthropology S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This special study option/reading course is designed to provide advanced undergraduates with an opportunity to explore independently the frontiers and foundations of a field of knowledge. Under supervision, the student will study in greater depth topics related to regular upper-level courses offered in the department which the student has taken or is taking. Permission of the instructor who will be supervising the study is required.
Prerequisite(s): 10.00 credits
Restriction(s): Instructor consent required. Please note, a student is allowed a total of 1.00 credits only for reading courses.
ANTH*4300 Anthropological Issues F (3-0) [0.50]
Current issues and future trends in the discipline of socio-cultural anthropology will provide the subject matter of this variable content course. This course is meant to provide an opportunity for socio-cultural anthropology majors to consider the latest developments in the sub-discipline. Course topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection time.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including ANTH*3690, SOAN*3070
ANTH*4440 Culture, Rights and Development W (3-0) [0.50]
This course examines the theoretical and practical problems associated with respecting local cultures while also respecting human dignity universally. Various definitions of 'development' will be explored in terms of how they reflect cultural values and global inequalities.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including ANTH*3690, SOAN*3070
ANTH*4540 Seminar in Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will be offered as a structured seminar on various topics depending upon the interests of the faculty member teaching the course. Topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection. The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including (ANTH*3690 or SOC*3310), SOAN*3070
ANTH*4640 Seminar in Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will be offered as a structured seminar on various topics depending upon the interests of the faculty member teaching the course. Topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection. The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including (ANTH*3690 or SOC*3310), SOAN*3070
ANTH*4700 Issues in Contemporary Anthropological Theory W (3-0) [0.50]
This course critically examines current anthropological theories, which may include post-structuralism, post-modernism, neo-Marxism and processual approaches. Attention may also be given to the theoretical and political implications of constructionism and calls for ethnographic reflexivity.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including ANTH*3690, SOAN*3070
ANTH*4740 Seminar in Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will be offered as a structured seminar on various topics depending upon the interests of the faculty member teaching the course. Topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection. The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including (ANTH*3690 or SOC*3310), SOAN*3070
ANTH*4840 Seminar in Anthropology F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This course will be offered as a structured seminar on various topics depending upon the interests of the faculty member teaching the course. Topics will be announced and course outlines will be available at course selection. The availability of third and fourth year seminar courses will vary. Students must check with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to see when seminar courses are available.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits including (ANTH*3690 or SOC*3310), SOAN*3070
ANTH*4880 Special Projects in Anthropology S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This special study/reading course option is designed to provide advanced undergraduates with an opportunity to explore independently the frontiers and foundations of a field of knowledge. Under supervision, the student will study in greater depth topics related to regular upper-level courses offered in the department which the student has taken or is taking. Permission of the instructor who will be supervising the project is required.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits
Restriction(s): Instructor consent required. Please note, a student is allowed a total of 1.00 credits only for reading courses.
ANTH*4890 Special Projects in Anthropology S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
This special study/reading course option is designed to provide advanced undergraduates with an opportunity to explore independently the frontiers and foundations of a field of knowledge. Under supervision, the student will study in greater depth topics related to regular upper-level courses offered in the department which the student has taken or is taking. Permission of the instructor who will be supervising the project is required.
Prerequisite(s): 12.50 credits
Restriction(s): Instructor consent required. Please note, a student is allowed a total of 1.00 credits only for reading courses.
ANTH*4900 Honours Anthropology Thesis I S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
Development and design of an honours thesis proposal conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Recommended to honours major students.
Prerequisite(s): 15.00 credits including ANTH*3690, (SOAN*3070 or SOAN*3120)
Restriction(s): Instructor consent required. As well as a cumulative average of 70% in all Sociology and Anthropology courses.
ANTH*4910 Honours Anthropology Thesis II S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
Completion and presentation of honours thesis.
Prerequisite(s): ANTH*4900
Restriction(s): Instructor consent required.
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120