Anthropology Page

What is Anthropology?	Why minor in Anthropology?
Courses offered.	How to Become an Anthropology Minor.
The Course of Study for a  Minor in Anthropology.	Faculty.

Anthropology Resources on the Web.

Literally, the word "anthropology" means "the study of man." In practice, anthropology as taught in academic institutions in the United States is divided into four subfields:

a.) Physical Anthropology: the study of human physical and biological variation over space and time. This includes the study of anthropological genetics, primatology, human variation, skeletal biology, human evolution, medical anthropology, nutritional anthropology, human physical growth and development and forensic anthropology.

b.) Cultural Anthropology: the description and analysis of patterns of human group behavior. Cultural anthropologists document the immense diversity of human life styles and build theories which both explain the variety of cultures observed and predict the possible course of human social behavior in the future.

c.) Archaeology: the excavation, recovery, and analysis of the physical products of past human behavior in order to reconstruct the lifeways of past cultures. Archeologists clarify and extend our knowledge of the full range of human history and the processes which have shaped it.

d.) Linguistic Anthropology: the study of the structure, history, diversity, and use of language in human societies. Anthropological linguists also investigate how languages help to maintain social groups and reflect the philosophy of the people who construct them.

Increasingly, business, academic and social relationshipsare global. The student who has received training in human physical and behavioral variation (anthropology) in addition to his/her major field becomes a desirable employee in any position requiring interaction with clients, patients, colleagues or students from different backgrounds. For example:

a.) Biology majors who choose a healthcare career, may encounter individuals of different cultural backgrounds whose needs and expectations of the healthcare system are unusual in the United States.

b.) Sociology, psychology or education majors may be required to aid or teach clients or students whose cultural backgrounds produce different behavior patterns or learning styles or whose genetic backgrounds produce different body types, growth patterns, or health risks.

c.) Business, communications, or political science majors who expect to become involved in international relations or commerce will find that an anthropology minor enhances their ability to respond appropriately to personnel from different cultures.

d.) History or political science majors may find that written history is only part of the record of human behavior: archaeology and cultural anthropology often provide a valuable additional perspective. Also, law and public policy vary significantly in cultures different from our own.

Archaeology: covers the rudiments of archeological field techniques, methods of analysis and dating systems.

Cultural Anthropology: surveys the variety of human group behavior, with special emphasis on the structure and function of non-western culture.

Physical Anthropology: examines human biological adaptations to the environment over time and space (includes many subfields).

Indians of North America: surveys the origin and cultures of the indigenous peoples of North America with emphasis on the cultural ecological approach.

Indians of South America: examines archaeological and anthropological evidence for the cultural diversity, evolution and adaptation of the native peoples of South America.

Medical Anthropology: studies cross-cultural definitions of disease and appropriate treatment as well as the history and global distribution of illness.

Comparative Cultures: analyzes cultural forms in a variety of cultures around the world and the methods used by anthropologists to study them.

The Maya: traces the development of Maya culture from its earliest archaeological evidence to the eve of Old World contact, combining cultural anthropological and archaeological perspectives.

Cultural Ecology: examines the interaction of human groups with the natural habitat, technology and social institutions.

Peasant Societies and Cultures of the World: studies the practical problems of change among the peasant communities of non-industrialized, stratified societies in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Anthropological Approaches to Culture Change: promotes awareness of the complexities involved in efforts to implement "development" and "progress," especially in the Third World.

Independent Study in Anthropology: provides students with an oppportunity to pursue individual specialized topics under the guidance of a staff member.

Undergraduate Research Seminar in Anthropology: plan a research project, collect data and prepare a report suitable for publication on a subject of interest to the student.

Anthropology of Magic and Religion in Primitive, Tribal and Peasant Cultures: surveys magico-religious beliefs and practices in their sociocultural context.

Sex and Sex Roles in a Cross-Cultural Perspective: examines the impact of sexuality and gendered behavior on the structure of human cultures.

Anthropological Perspectives on Physical Growth and Development: More Info

Honors Seminars: Subjects vary yearly.

A.) To satisfy college requirements:

1.) Pick up the declaration of minor form in the advising center office on the second floor of Hawthorne Hall.

2.) Bring it to one of the faculty members listed in this brochure. We are located in the Geography/Anthropology Department on the third floor of Robinson Hall. Fill it out in consultation with that faculty member.

3.) Return the form to the advising center on the second floor of Hawthorne Hall.

B.) To satisfy Geography/Anthropology Department requirements:

A statement of purpose is required by the anthropology faculty for each student who minors in anthropology. This consists of a short (2-3) page paper describing how the student plans to enhancehis/her major course of study with a minor in anthropology. Students whose major does not relate in any way to anthropology may outline a focus in anthropology which they wish to pursue.

A minor in anthropology consists of six 3-credit courses. The first three courses must consist of the introductory level courses at Rowan. These are:

1.) Cultural Anthropology.

2.) Physical Anthropology.

3.) Archaeology.

Each of these courses is offered every semester, usually in multiple sections, so there should be no problem in fitting them into your schedule.

The next three courses are up to you. In consultation with your minor advisor (whom you may choose at any point before you take the final three courses), you will be encouraged to concentrate in a particular subfield of anthropology (cultural, physical or archaeology). If you have a particular interest, but no class is offered in that subject, you may elect an independent study or research course as your final choice. Of course, you are welcome to take as many anthropology courses as you like.

We welcome you to the study of anthropology and trust you will become as enthusiastic about the study of this fascinating field as we are!

	David Kasserman, Ph.D.  (University of Pennsylvania) cultural anthropologist.  Research interests: the Maya, ethnohistory, cultural  anthropology of the American industrial revolution.  Phone: 256-4500, ext. 3976  E-mail: kasserman@rowan.edu
	Diane L. Markowitz, D.M.D, Ph.D.  (Tufts University, University of Pennsylvania) physical anthropologist.  Research interests: child physical growth and development,  craniofacial growth and development, dental anthropology,  paleoanthropology, medical anthropology.  Phone: 256-4500, ext. 3981  E-mail: markowit@rowan.edu
	Maria A. Rosado, Ph.D.  (Rutgers University) physical anthropologist.  Research interests: archaeology of the Chilean semi-arid  north, skeletal biology, chemistry of prehistoric human bone,  paleopathology.  Phone: 256-4500, Ext. 3983  E-mail: rosado@rowan.edu

This page is maintained by Diane Markowitz. If you have any comments or questions please direct them to:

markowit@jupiter.rowan.edu

Page created by M. Markowitz, M.D.