ANTH 170 - Topics in Anthropology

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2015/16a: Bones, Bodies, and Forensic Cases. The accidental discovery of an isolated human bone or entire human body occurs more frequently than most people think. How these discoveries are dealt with is often a decision that involves local law enforcement, medical officials, archaeologists, and physical anthropologists. This course examines several such cases, following them from initial discovery to final conclusion. What clues do bones and bodies reveal? What evidence was found on or near these individuals? How do we piece together a narrative? Who decides what happens next? Contrary to what we see on television and in the movies, these cases require patience and cultural awareness and do not always lead to a clear happy ending. Ms. Beisaw.

Topic for 2015/16b:  The Peopling of the Americas. (Same as AMST 170 ) Did people first come to the Americas from Asia or Europe?  By foot or by boat or by spaceship?  In this course we will investigate when and by whom and by what route North and South America were populated.  According to current scientific thought, the Americas are the land mass most recently populated by humans, while many Native American groups firmly believe they have always lived here; Caleb Atwater thought Mississippian sites were founded by one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel, others think sailors from across the Pacific brought civilization to the Americas.  Such issues have been major foci of Americanist archaeological theory since archaeology began in this country, and we will examine both the theories and what they say about the attitudes of the Americans who promulgated and promulgate them. Ms. Johnson.

Open only to freshmen; satisfies the college requirement for Freshmen Writing Seminar.

Open only to freshmen; satisfies the requirement for a Freshmen Writing Seminar.

Two 75-minute periods.