Culture, Gender and Sexuality

This course explores how gender and sexuality are expressed in various cultures around the world. Focuses on gender in non-Western cultures such as Native American, African and Asian societies. Discusses relationship of gender to aspects of culture such as kinship, economics, politics, and religion.

Queer Anthropology

A sub-discipline of socio-cultural anthropology that focuses on contexts of difference in sexuality from the (presumed) norms of sexual and gender variation within social systems, practices, and ideologies. Queer anthropology utilizes intersectional studies of sex, race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion, colonialism, and globalization.

Philippine Culture and Society

An introduction to the peoples and cultures of the Philippines, the impacts and influences of different colonial (and neo-colonial) powers on the country's development, and the ethnolinguistic diversity found in the archipelago. The course examines the way in which the Filipinos in the diaspora maintain strong ties to the Philippines through the re-invention of various cultural and social practices.

Latin American Cultures and Societies

Comprehensive and critical analysis of the cultures and traditions of the peoples in Latin America. Critical in-depth study of contemporary society and political systems, inter-ethnic relations, traditional medicinal healing, religions, and sorcery. Analysis of the history and development of Latin American cultures and the impact of state forms of social organization on its traditional societies.

Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology

An introduction to the central concepts, theories, and techniques employed by cultural anthropologists to explore the social and cultural dimensions of human experience. Major topics include cross-cultural comparisons of subsistence patterns, economic and political organization, kinship and marriage, language and symbolism, religion and belief systems, artistic expression, colonialism and globalization, gender, sexuality, and race.

Archaeology and Prehistory

Overview of contemporary archaeological methods of survey, excavation, analysis, and interpretation. Discussion of various theoretical approaches used to explain past human behavior. Thematic discussion of the major events in prehistory from human origins to appearance of agriculture and cities.