Spring Term Courses 2008
Team of ethnographers returns from field school in northern Mexico story & photos by Danielle Kuehnel
First Ethnographic Field School Off to Promising Start story & photos by Danielle Kuehnel
About Anthropology and the Department
Contact Information
Anthropology is the study of humankind. It incorporates both scientific and
humanistic approaches to explain and understand human behavior and cultural
diversity. By making the strange familiar and the familiar strange, anthropologists
aim to promote intercultural understanding and respect between people.
The Department of Anthropology at Western Oregon
University offers a comprehensive training in anthropology, equipping students
with a set of skills that allows them to critically examine and understand human
behavior and cultural diversity in their own and other societies, skills that
are increasingly important in today's globalizing world. In addition to introductory
courses in all four sub-fields of anthropology - archaeology, linguistic, physical,
and sociocultural anthropology - the department offers an exceptionally varied
program due to the diverse teaching interests of the faculty, which range from
Northwest Indian Cultures to Environmental Anthropology to the Anthropology
of Africa. Majors in our program conduct independent research for their Senior
Project. Working closely with faculty, students design research, conduct fieldwork,
and write it up in a senior thesis. We encourage our students to do research
abroad. In previous years students have gone to Europe, the Middle East and
Africa.
The anthropological training students receive
and the skills they develop - critical and clear analytical thinking, independent
research, inter-cultural communication - prepare students for a wide range of
professional careers in research, policy, and consultancy, as well as graduate
studies.
| Note: ANTH 213-216 cover the four subfields of anthropology and may be taken in any order. Any three may be used to satisfy the 12 cr. Social Science LACC requirement. |
ANTH 213D Language and Culture (4)
MW 1000-1150 in HSS 107
Dr. Doug Smith |
Introduces the anthropological study of language and communicative behavior. Examines the basic concepts underlying linguistic analysis and reviews anthropological studies of conversational practice and social variation in language and speech. Our central concern is to understand the complex interplay between language, culture and social relations.
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ANTH 214D Physical Anthropology (4)
TR 1400-1550 in AA 101
Mr. Jordan Hofer |
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Biological aspects of the human experience, especially interactions between biology and culture. A review of the modern synthetic theory of evolution; fossil evidence of early primate and hominid populations; the mechanisms of heredity, human variation and adaptation; and the development of culture in human evolution. Attention throughout the course to the nature of science as a cultural construct. |
ANTH 215D Archaeology (4)
MW 800-950 in HSS 111
Dr. Robin Smith |
| Understanding the human past through the study of material remains. A review of the methods used to collect and analyze data and the theories used to construct chronologies, reconstruct ancient life styles and explain the processes of cultural evolution. Examines some of the major contributions of archaeology and discusses the relevance of archaeology to everyday life. |
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ANTH 216D Cultural Anthropology (4)
TR 1400-1550 in HSS 111
Dr. Isidore Lobnibe |
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Examines the concepts and methods of cultural anthropology through ethnographic case studies of people around the world. Focuses on culture, or the learned beliefs, behaviors, and symbols unique to each society. |
ANTH 325D Ethnographic Methods (4)
MW 1000-1150 in HSS 111
Dr. Isidore Lobnibe |
Prepares students to conduct anthropological research in a variety of settings at home and abroad. Teaches students an array of anthropological research methods including participant observation, structured and unstructured interviews and background research of anthropological literature.
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ANTH 332D Latin America (4)
TR 1200-1350 in HSS 237
Dr. Doug Smith |
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Provides an introduction to major aspects of Latin American cultures. Concentrates on issues of cultural contact, conflict, and accommodation by examining racial, ethnic, national, and gender identities, religion, the environment, human rights, and globalization. Explores indigenous, European, and African contributions to the sociocultural fabric of the region; geographic emphasis will fall on Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.
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ANTH 360D Museum Studies (4)
T 1600-1950 in HSS 107
Ms. Keni Sturgeon |
Covers principles and practices of museum work. Topics include the role of museums in the community, collections management, conservation of objects and artifacts, program development, exhibit development, marketing, and fund raising. Laboratory experience will be offered through the Jensen Arctic Museum on campus.
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ANTH 396D Environmental Anthropology (4)
TR 1000-1150 in HSS 110B
Dr. Doug Smith |
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Introduces students to the field of environmental anthropology, which explores relationships between culture, society, and the physical aspects of environments across the globe. The course examines major theories in ecological research in anthropology, then moves to a critical exploration of significant issues in the field today, such as religion and resource use, indigenous environmental knowledge, economic development, conservation, cultural and human rights, and environmental social movements. Readings cover a variety of environmental contexts and social groups.
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ANTH 482D Historical Archaeology (4)
MW 1200-1350 in HSS 111
Dr. Robin Smith |
Using both documents and material remains from archaeological sites we explore the recent past. Our focus is on the transformations that have taken place in cultures around the world since the Age of Exploration brought indigenous peoples and expanding cultures together in a variety of circumstances. We will pay special attention to issues such as representation of ethnicity, development of class differences and changing gender roles.
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ANTH 494D Northwest Indian Cultures (4)
TR 1400-1550 in HSS 111
Dr. Robin Smith |
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You are invited to meet the original peoples of the Northwestern part of North America, including the Northwest Coast, the Columbia-Fraser Plateau and the Great Basin. Using autobiographies and biographies as our entry point, we explore the stories of individuals and cultures with deep roots in the varied landscapes of our region. |
Robin Smith, Chair
Anthropology Department
Maaske 202
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR 97361
(503) 838-8372
smithr@wou.edu |
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