Anthropology (MS)

A brief intensive hands-on introduction to an anthropological topic usually as it applies to a particular issue or skill. Topics vary but might include: Understanding that race is not a scientific concept; combating racism and ethnocentrism; participant observation methods; culture shock; cultural diversity and communication; forensics; cultural resource conservation.

Prerequisites: none

A comprehensive historical overview of the major theoretical schools of thought in anthropology. Special emphasis given to assumptions, methods of data collection and analysis, and major issues surrounding each theoretical perspective.

Prerequisites: none

An advanced seminar examining the ways anthropologists pratice anthropology. The course explores theoretical foundations and issues related to the professional practice of anthropology and focuses on developing necessary skills for sound professional practice.

Prerequisites: none

Practical field experience, usually under the supervision of some off-campus professional.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced review of major qualitative and quantitative methods used in anthropological research. Course is also intended to aid students in the preparation of the thesis proposal.

Prerequisites: none

A detailed study of Minnesota archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca. 1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of current knowledge about the prehistoric Native American inhabitants of North America from ca. 15,000 years ago until ca. 1900. Topics will focus on the processes of cultural development, change, and disruption by Euro-American influences.

Prerequisites: none

A detailed study of Latin American archaeology from ca. 12,000 years ago to ca. 1900, with a focus on diverse and changing Native American populations.

Prerequisites: none

A review of the history and philosophy of museums, the legal and ethical issues impacting museums, the nature and treatment of collections, creation, exhibition and exhibit design, the role of museums in education, museum personnel and management, and museums in the technological/electronic age.

Prerequisites: none

Review of how cultural resources are being preserved and managed under current laws and regulations. Emphasis on examination of conservation, preservation and rescue methods in modern archaeology, and problems and issues in historic preservation and resource management.

Prerequisites: none

An intensive exploration of how to identify, catalogue, and curate archeological materials in a laboratory setting. Topics will include lithics, pottery, faunal, floral, metal, and other materials as well as data structure and recordation.

Prerequisites: none

An interdisciplinary investigation into Quaternary environmental/climatic change and the impact of change on the behavior and evolution of humans. This course has three segments: 1) an examination of natural systems responsible for climatic change, the impact climatic fluctuations have on Earth systems, timing of Quaternary changes, evidence of climatic/environmental change from spatially distant, climatically distinct environments; 2) investigation into worldwide evidence of human evolution, global dispersion, and adaptation to environmental systems; introduction to various methodological approaches in Quaternary archeologic, geomorphic, and climatic studies. Focus is on proxy records used for climate/environmental reconstruction, archeolgic/geomorphologic field methods, geochronologic dating methods.

Prerequisites: none

This course examines the history of agricultural systems in world wide perspective, with an emphasis on understanding their social and environmental contexts and the effects on them of climate change. Case examples will highlight the conditions under which agricultural systems emerge, thrive, and fail, and the impacts of these processes on human populations.

Prerequisites: none

An advanced examination of the human skeletal system and the application of this information in the fields of bioarchaeology, paleonanthrology, and forensic anthropology. This course features hands-on identification and analysis of human skeletal material, with an emphasis on laboratory techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Cross-cultural examination of the response of peoples in non-Western societies to the human universal of illness. Non-Western concepts of disease, health, and treatment.

Prerequisites: none

This course will acquaint students with the application of human osteological techniques in civil and criminal investigations, including assessment of the recovery scene, determination of identity and analysis of evidence relating to cause and manner of death.

Prerequisites: none

An examination of the biological basis of human behavior and organization from an evolutionary perspective.

Prerequisites: none

Bioarchaeology focuses on the diet, health, and occupations of past populations through the analysis of their skeletal remains. Readings and lab work will promote a practical understanding of the methods used in the discipline.

Prerequisites: none

The biological and cultural aspects of death, as seen anthropologically, are the focus of this course. Mortuary behavior, ritual, and treatment of the human body will be addressed both temporally and cross-culturally.

Prerequisites: none

The contemporary peoples and cultures of Mexico and Central and South America. Emphasis is on cultural patterns and contemporary issues of the region.

Prerequisites: none

This course introduces concepts and methods of applying anthropological understanding to contemporary problems to bring about the empowerment of affected peoples. Case studies illustrate the impact and problems of culture change with special attention to its affect on powerless groups of people. Students will also design their own applied projects.

Prerequisites: none

Kinship is the most basic principle of organization for all human societies. The course analyzes the main theories and methods of studying social organization, and explores cross-cultural variations in kinship, marriage and family systems.

Prerequisites: none

Major anthropological theories of gender relations are read, discussed, and applied to a variety of contemporary ethnographic case studies.

Prerequisites: none

This course provides an opportunity for students to examine several of the classic ethnographies not used in regular course offerings. A different group of ethnographies will be used each year and students may register for the course as many times as they wish.

Prerequisites: none

A pivotal moment in cultural development is when city-states and nations arrive to change the structure of a cultural group. This course has varying topics to present each cultural area in its unique context. Maybe repeated with different topic.

Prerequisites: none

An evolutionary and cross-cultural examination of the aging process, status, and treatment of the elderly.

Prerequisites: none

Examines the practical applications of anthropological knowledge to problem-oriented research and the problems of directed sociocultural change among contemporary populations. Selected projects and case studies are used to illustrate the complexity of applied sociocultural change.

Prerequisites: none

Examination of the intellectual history of anthropology from its nineteenth century roots to today's current theoretical trends. Students will learn about major school of thought in anthropological theory and practice critical examination of their applications.

Prerequisites: none

The aim of this course is to make students methodologically literate. Students will learn how to develop research designs that rely on qualitative research methods such as participants observation. They will learn how to apply these methods by participating in small scale studies of human behavior. some quantitative methods will also be discussed. Students will learn to critically examine published data and conclusions.

Prerequisites: none

American Indians adapted to environmental systems in North America with cultures ranging from small groups of foragers to cities supported by intensive agriculture. This course presents a variety of perspectives of this cultural diversity from the Ice Age to the 21st Century.

Prerequisites: none

Survey of East Asian cultural region. Cultural diversity, change and continuity examined in China, Japan and Korea through institutions and cultural settings. Focus includes how modern East Asian societies face internal social changes and their changing international status.

Prerequisites: none

Field experience in which method and theory are learned through participation in and on-going field project.

Prerequisites: none

This course allows faculty the flexibility to consider the challenges of the new developments in anthropology. Content will vary from one course to the next. Students may take the course, with the permission of the instructor, more than one time.

Prerequisites: none

A brief intensive hands-on introduction to an anthropological topic usually as it applies to a particular issue or skill. Topics vary but might include: Understanding that race is not a scientific concept; combating racism and ethnocentrism; participant observation methods; culture shock; cultural diversity and communication; forensics; cultural resource conservation.

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to archaelogical laboratory techniques and museological practice, through participation in the various processes involved.

Prerequisites: none

Guided advanced laboratory work in biological/physical anthropology.

Prerequisites: none

Individual projects are done in close coordination with faculty member.

Prerequisites: none

A seminar on a topic from one of the major sub disciplines in anthropology. Topic is announced. Seminar may be taken more than once for credit, as the topic changes. Prereq: permission of instructor

Prerequisites: none

Prerequisite: permission of instructor

Prerequisites: none

Practical classroom experience under the supervision of faculty. This course will prepare students to assist faculty in the delivery of courses as well as prepare them to teach on their own.

Prerequisites: none

Arranged internship allows students to have a hands on experience applying theories and methodology from course work in the field to area of interest. Requires coordination with a faculty member.

Prerequisites: none

This course allows a pursuit of individual avenues of study that may not be offered in the curriculum and for advanced level pursuit of special projects of research on an independent basis. Requires coordination with a faculty member.

Prerequisites: none

Preparation of an alternate plan paper or applied project under supervision of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: must be enrolled in the MS program in Anthropology.

Prerequisites: none

Preparation on the master's thesis.

Prerequisites: none