Anthropology Current Courses

Students walking on campus during the spring talking

SPRING 2025 COURSES

ANTH 105-01 Introduction to Archaeology - Cynthia Van Gilder 4 Units TTH 11:40-1:20 PM

Do the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica or the Middle East fascinate you? Have you ever tried to imagine what life must have been like living in a painted cave and hunting for a living? Have you ever wondered how writing was invented? Archaeology is the study of the life ways of past cultures based on their material remains, like artifacts. In this class we will learn about how archaeologists study kinship, gender, religion, art, economics, etc., in ancient societies.

We will also discuss how archaeology enhances our understanding of historical and contemporary cultures.

This course fulfills the Social Science requirement of the Core Curriculum.

ANTH 107-01 Introduction to Biological Anthropology - Laura White 3 Units MW 9:15-10:30 AM

This course studies the variation and evolution of the human species and its place in nature. The emphasis of this course explores why we see broad variations among homo sapiens and how these variations affect humans in their life cycle, health and culture. This course fulfills the Science Lab requirement of the Core Curriculum.

ANTH 107L-01 Intro. to Biological Anthropology Lab - Laura White 1 Unit M 2:00-5:00 PM

This course fulfills the Science Lab requirement of the Core Curriculum.

ANTH 185-1 Anthropological Methods: Introduction to Data Science for Social Scientists - Dana Herrera 1 Unit Friday 12:05-1:05 PM

This course introduces students to the basic principles of data science. Students will explore the intersection of quantitative and qualitative analysis in social science research through hands-on projects. This lab course will give students the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of scientific concepts, principles, and theories that explain human evolution and the human experience. Students will collect, analyze, and interpret empirical data gathered in a laboratory and field setting as it relates to the study of humans.

ANTH 367-01 Material Culture and Social Identity: Ethnicity, Class, and Gender - Cynthia Van Gilder 4 Units TTH 1:30-3:10 PM

Material culture has been used by people to construct, reflect, and contest social identities throughout history. From the spatial layout of landscapes, villages, houses, and workspaces, to the personal fabrication or acquisition of tools, clothing, household goods, and articles for personal adornment, material objects embody vital information about the historical contexts in which they were meaningful. In this course, we will learn how archeologists use material culture to read the stories of people’s lives whose voices may not have been prominent in other media in the past (e.g., written records), such as members of ethnic minorities, marginalized gender and sexual identities, and disadvantaged socioeconomic classes. We will also explore how hegemonic groups endeavored to use material culture to reinforce existing power relations, while others strategically deployed it as a challenge to the status quo. Although our class examples will be wide-ranging, our central focus will be on the material culture of ethnicity, class, and gender in multicultural situations, particularly (Alta) California from pre-European-contact to statehood.

Please note: Students who have successfully completed a 200 level WRIT course, and one lower division social science course (ANTH, SOC, ES, HIS, WGS, JCL or similar) are welcome in the class.

Email cvangild@stmarys-ca.edu for more info.)

ANTH 400-01 Anthropological Theory - Dana Herrera 4 Units MWF 10:40-11:45 AM

Through close reading and in-depth discussion of primary theoretical texts, students gain an understanding of the history of American anthropological theory from the 19th century to the present while also exploring the intellectual traditions of global anthropologies.

ANTH-497 Independent Study: Research Assistant in Collections Management

Dr. Cynthia Van Gilder is seeking several research assistants for Spring Semester 2025. Selected students will sign up for an independent study of either 1, 2, or 3 credits depending on their preference and availability. The work will include training in the use of collections management software and basic analysis of historical artifacts for a local museum. Interested students should email Professor Van Gilder for an application by November 5. Preference will be given to students who are simultaneously enrolled in ANTH-367: Material Culture and Social Identity, but it is not required.