SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY   2000-2001 Catalog
  SOU Catalog Home >> Schools and Departments >> Anthropology and Sociology >> Courses

Anthropology Courses

(Sociology Courses below)

Lower Division Courses

Anth 199 Special Studies

Credit to be arranged

Anth 209 Practicum

Credit to be arranged

Anth 211 Physical Anthropology and Archaeology: Perspectives on Humanity's Past

4 credits

Introduces the study of humans as a biological and cultural species, past and present. Topics include human genetics and variation, evolutionary theory, primate ecology and adaptations, and the methods used to reconstruct past human physiology and behavior. Surveys data from the fossil and archaeological records of our hominid ancestors, from small-scale societies of the Paleolithic era to more recent politically complex societies.

Anth 213 Cultural Anthropology: Perspectives on Humanity

4 credits

Introduces the comparative study of human culture. Topics include kinship systems, politics, economics, language, ritual, ecological adaptations, cultural change, and ethnographic methodology. Explores cultural similarities and differences and the linkages among cultural, social, political, and economic institutions.

Upper Division Courses

Anth 301 Practicing Anthropology

4 credits

Engages students in building fundamental skills needed to succeed in anthropology. Writing, critical thinking, and library research prepare students for further upper division work. A topical focus illustrates the holistic, four-field approach of anthropology and its relevance to contemporary life. Prerequisites: Anth 211 or 213, plus Core 103.

Anth 310 American Culture

4 credits

An overview of culture and society in the United States examining a wide range of specific cultural expressions and social institutions. Explores class, race, ethnicity, values, and institutional structures as interconnected factors influencing various experiences of "being American."

Anth 317 Pacific Cultures

4 credits

Examines the cultural diversity of the indigenous societies of the Pacific Islands and the changes brought about since their contact with the West. Also explores voyaging patterns, settlement prehistory, resources, and linguistic diversity.

Anth 318 Native North America

4 credits

Introduces the traditional lifestyles and values of the native peoples of North America. Also considers impacts of the historical period, the present-day experiences of native peoples, and selected contemporary issues.

Anth 320 Topics & Regions in Archaeology

2_4 credits

Introduces the archaeology of the world on a regional or topical basis. Regions studied may include Oregon, the Southwest, Africa, Europe, and South America. Possible topics include historical archaeology, zooarchaeology, and complex societies. Students may accumulate up to 12 credits of Anth 320 under different topics. Prerequisite: Anth 211.

Anth 321 World Prehistory

4 credits

Surveys the prehistoric archaeology of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas from the first evidence of human cultures to the beginnings of written history. Prerequisite: Anth 211.

Anth 332 Ritual and Religion

4 credits

Focuses on ritual, religion, and spirituality as dynamic and universal cultural institutions. Case studies draw from a wide range of indigenous, third world, and western societies. Topics include shamanism, witchcraft/sorcery, myth, symbolism, trance, healing, and revitalization movements. Prerequisite: Anth 213.

Anth 334 Native North America: Special Studies

4 credits

Examines selected topics and issues of traditional, historical, or contemporary importance to Native American communities. Students may accumulate up to 12 credits of Anth 334 under different topics. Anth 213 or 318 recommended.

Anth 340 Gender Issues

4 credits

Uses the concept of gender to explore contemporary status, roles, categories, and ideologies associated with women and men. Extensive case studies provide comparative insights and help students develop their understanding of the complex role gender plays in human society. Prerequisite: Anth 213.

Anth 350 Human Evolution

4 credits

Offers a detailed review of the hard evidence of human evolution. Topics include primates and primate evolution, the emergence of australopithecines and bipedalism, evolution of the genus Homo, Neanderthals, the diet and behavior of early hominids, the emergence of anatomically modern humans, and methods of human osteology, hominid fossil identification, hominid skeletal morphology, and taxonomy. Anth 211 recommended.

Anth 360 Ethnographic Research Methods

4 credits

Includes instruction and field experience in qualitative research. Addresses formulating a problem; selecting and using suitable methodologies; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; writing reports and ethnographies; and ethical concerns. Prerequisite: Anth 213.

Anth 370 Archaeological Research Methods

4 credits

Provides instruction and laboratory experience in archaeological research. Topics include archaeological geology and stratigraphy, dating, typological and technological analysis of artifacts (e.g., lithics, ceramics, and historic artifacts) and faunal/floral analysis. Prerequisite: Anth 211.

Anth 375 Archaeological Field School

4 credits

Intensive field course introducing methods of recovering artifacts and other information from sites. Instruction is done in field conditions at a prehistoric or historic site. Topics include research design, excavation, mapping, and recording. There is a special course fee. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Anth 399 Special Studies

Credit to be arranged

Anth 401 Research

Credit to be arranged

Anth 403 Thesis

Credit to be arranged

Anth 405 Reading and Conference

Credit to be arranged

Anth 407 Seminar

Credit to be arranged

Anth 409 Practicum: Field Study

4 credits each quarter _ maximum 12 credits

Fieldwork applies anthropological concepts and methods. Settings may include schools, museums, medical facilities, government agencies, businesses, subcultural groups, and other social institutions. Encourages a community service or cultural resource management orientation. Prerequisites: upper division standing and consent of instructor.

Anth 410 History of Ethnographic Theory

4 credits

Surveys the development of anthropological methods and concepts. Students read extracts from anthropological classics and contemporary theorists to gain an understanding of the history of anthropological thought. Prerequisites: Anth 213 and 4 credits of upper division anthropology.

Anth 414 Senior Capstone

4_8 credits

Involves anthropological methods and concept application. Each student selects and carries out a project with anthropological relevance in consultation with an advisor, drawing on ethnographic or archaeological expertise acquired through previous practicum field experiences. A final paper relates the project to relevant theory and methodology. Prerequisite: completion of core requirements in the major.

Anth 420 Archaeological Theory

4 credits

Surveys the application of theoretical concepts and techniques to the analysis and interpretation of archaeological materials. Special emphasis is on the history and context of theoretical innovations, research design, and the explanation of cultural variability in the archaeological record. Prerequisite: 4 credits in upper division archaeology courses.

Anth 450 Culture Change

4 credits

Examines culture change and stability. Topics include theories of change; innovation, evolution, adaptation, and acculturation; movements and other forms of organized, purposeful change; change agents; and tradition, persistence, and resistance to change. Prerequisite: 4 credits in upper division anthropology courses.

Anth 451/551 Ecology of Small-Scale Societies

4 credits

Analyzes gathering, hunting, fishing, pastoral, and horticultural societies from an ecological perspective. Illustrates the dynamic interplay between culture, physiology, other organisms, and physical environment. Draws case studies from a range of ethnological, archaeological, and ethnohistoric perspectives. Prerequisite: Anth 211 or 213.

Anth 455 Anthropological Film

4 credits

Explores film as a tool for investigation of cultures, subcultures, and cultural elements. Takes a critical approach to visual anthropology and examines styles of filmmaking, contemporary issues, and ethical concerns. A special fee is charged to help cover the cost of film purchases. Prerequisites: Anth 213 and 4 credits of upper division anthropology courses.

Anth 460 Applied Anthropology

4 credits

Traces the historical development of anthropological practice. Relates contemporary uses of anthropological methods in a variety of institutional and subcultural settings to applied concepts and issues. Examines ethical concerns. Examples may be drawn from public policy, community development, education, health and medicine, business, resource management, and evaluation and assessment. Prerequisites: Anth 213 and 301.

Anth 462 Cultural Resource Management

4 credits

Reviews objectives, legislation, and ethics for the management of prehistoric and historic cultural resources. Studies field survey methods for identifying and evaluating archaeological sites. Anth 211 and 301 recommended.

Sociology Courses

Lower Division Courses

Soc 199 Special Studies

Credit to be arranged

Soc 204 The Sociological Imagination

4 credits

Examines the social context in which all human behavior occurs, with an emphasis on advanced industrial societies. Explores the meaning of fundamental concepts such as culture, socialization, deviance, race, class, gender, social inequality, and globalization. The primary objective is to cultivate a sociological imagination by introducing students to the theoretical and methodological tools employed in social research. Particular attention is given to the ethical, political and cross-cultural dimensions of sociological work.

Soc 205 American Society

4 credits

Follows Soc 204. Examines institutional environments, such as family, economy, religion, education, and politics. Emphasizes social inequalities along race, class, and gender lines. The primary objective is to help students understand social stability and change in advanced industrial societies. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 209 Practicum

Credit to be arranged

Upper Division Courses

Soc 301 Sociological Practice

4 credits

Examines the sociology major and the skills needed to succeed in college and careers using applied sociology. Explores career options for sociology majors, as well as career paths for reaching occupational goals. Special focus is on writing and library research skills to prepare for upper division work and career exploration. Limited to sociology majors. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 305 Social Issues and Social Policy

Credit to be arranged

Analyzes social issues in complex social systems. Emphasizes structures, processes, and policy implications. Examples of topics include women and work, poverty, aging, and the environment. Students may accumulate up to 12 credits of Soc 305 under different topics. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 310 Community Studies

4 credits

Includes observation and analysis of American communities and their major social institutions. Examines cultural, political, and ecological influences in rural and urban regions. Prerequisite: Soc 204 or consent of instructor.

Soc 312 Sociology of the Family

4 credits

Emphasizes changes in structure, function, and character of the family resulting from its relationship to the larger society. Compares the contemporary family to historical and cross-cultural forms. Analyzes family issues, such as changing gender roles, divorce, single parents, domestic violence, and new roles for children and aged relatives. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 320 Schools and Society

4 credits

Examines the effects of schools and schooling on individuals, the stratification system, and society and social factors on schooling, individual educational attainment, and the organization of schooling. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 326 Qualitative Social Research Methods

4 credits

Introduces techniques used to gather and analyze qualitative data in social research. Emphasizes field research and inductive logic. Topics may include historical and comparative techniques and focus group interviews. Covers measurement, sampling, and causation with respect to qualitative research. Explores the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative methods and provides hands-on research experience in social settings. Gives particular attention to political and ethical dimensions of qualitative research. Prerequisite: sociology major or interdisciplinary major with sociology emphasis.

Soc 327 Quantitative Social Research Methods

4 credits

Introduces techniques used to gather and analyze quantitative data in social research. Emphasizes survey research and deductive logic. Topics may include experimental design and analysis of census data. Covers measurement, sampling, and causation with respect to quantitative research. Explores the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative methods and provides experience analyzing quantitative data using SPSS. Gives particular attention to the political and ethical dimensions of quantitative research. Prerequisite: sociology major status or interdisciplinary major with sociology emphasis. Note: Soc 326 is not a prerequisite for Soc 327.

Soc 333 Sociology of Popular Culture

4 credits

Analyzes the effects of television, music, and film on society. Examines the production, distribution, and consumption of popular culture. Emphasizes popular culture in advanced industrialized societies, since much of such culture is produced there. Third world nations are also considered, especially in the context of the diffusion of culture and its effects. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 334 Social Psychology

4 credits

Analyzes the impact of social situations on individual behavior. Addresses the effects of groups and interpersonal relationships on attitudes, beliefs, and definitions of reality. Also examines the development and maintenance of norms and pressures for conformity. In exploring theories of socialization and personality development, special attention is given to sociological theories and perspectives, such as symbolic interactionism and feminist examinations of psychoanalytic theories. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 337 Racial and Ethnic Relations

4 credits

Emphasizes the unequal relationship between socially defined majority and minority groups locally and elsewhere. Examines similarities and differences of class and ethnic modes of stratification, comparing U.S. ethnic relations with South Africa and Brazil. Covers political and ideological factors associated with attempts to transform traditional ethnic relationships. Explores ethnic identity formation. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 338 Contemporary Issues in Native North America

4 credits

Examines national and regional issues of major concern to Native Americans. Focuses on the historical roots of each issue or problem, its present-day impact on individuals and communities, and Native American responses. Sample issues include restoration and preservation of community and culture, treaty rights, sovereignty, and self-sufficiency. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 340 Sociology of Gender Roles

4 credits

Analyzes theory and research on the social production and maintenance of gender. Includes gender role socialization, concepts of femininity and masculinity, and the construction of gender in family, work, popular culture, and other social institutions. Addresses the impact of race and class on experiences of gender. Considers how feminist and men's movements have influenced changes in gender relations. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 345 Sociology of the Third World

4 credits

Offers an interdisciplinary analysis of political, economic, and social developments in the third world, with particular emphasis on the environment and women. Includes theories of modernization, dependence, and the post-colonial state as they apply to economic development, poverty, and political mobilization. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 370 Development of Sociological Thought

4 credits

Examines contributions of early writers' inquiries into the mysteries of nineteenth and early twentieth century society. Focuses on the world views and writings of Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Wollstonecraft, DuBois, Khaldun, and other masters who laid the foundation of sociology as a discipline. Emphasizes the application of classical theory to contemporary social issues and research. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 399 Special Studies

Credit to be arranged

Soc 401 Research

Credit to be arranged

Soc 403 Thesis

Credit to be arranged

Soc 405 Reading and Conference

Credit to be arranged

Soc 407 Seminar

Credit to be arranged

Prerequisite: Soc 370.

Soc 408 Workshop

Credit to be arranged

Soc 409 Practicum

4 credits each quarter _ maximum 15 credits Includes preprofessional work in agencies, with an emphasis on providing human services or applying sociological perspectives in field settings. Up to 8 credits may be applied to the upper division sociology elective for major. Prerequisite: sociology major or interdisciplinary major with sociology as primary field.

Soc 414 Senior Capstone

4_8 credits

Provides an opportunity to review and integrate sociological theory and research and to explore some aspects of the field in greater depth. Students choose from two course options: undertaking a major student project, or reviewing textbooks and exploring contemporary controversies in the field in a seminar setting. Prerequisites: Soc 326; all required writing courses or Soc 301; completion of one-half of upper division coursework in the major; and sociology major or interdisciplinary major with sociology as their primary field.

Soc 420 Environmental Sociology

4 credits

Focuses on the connections between human societies, ecosystems, and the geophysical environment. Examines how humans are impacting the environment and how social institutions are perceiving and addressing environmental changes. Potential topics include population and economic growth, energy and technology, pollution and global warming, environmental movements, and environmental justice. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 434 Social Inequality

4 credits

Surveys and analyzes stratification theory and research. Focuses on class, gender, and race stratification and the relation of status, power, and social mobility to modern industrial societies. Prerequisites: Soc 204 and 370.

Soc 435/535 Sociology of Population and Environment

4 credits

Examines growth and changes in human populations and their distribution. Emphasizes the interaction between population changes, the environment, and social organization. Introduces demographic methods and modes of projection, including computer simulation. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 444 Social Organization

4 credits

Analyzes theory and research on formal organizations in contemporary societies. Examines sources and forms of power and authority, management ideologies, bureaucratic structures and processes, organizational change, relationships between organizations and other aspects of social structure, and alternatives to bureaucracy. Considers the impact of the global dominance of bureaucratic institutions on social change. Prerequisite: Soc 204.

Soc 450 Social and Cultural Change

4 credits

Examines issues related to cultural change and social transformations and the implications of such change for groups in a society. Covers materials from advanced third world societies. Prerequisites: Soc 204 and 8 hours of upper division sociology.

Soc 454 Sociology of Deviant Behavior

4 credits

Examines current conceptions of the causes of deviant behavior. Emphasizes the relationship between social definitions and individual behavior, the deviant career and the labeling process, and conflict and control theory. Analyzes contemporary social policy aimed at limiting and controlling deviance in society. Prerequisites: Soc 204 and 370.

Soc 461 Sociology of Religion

4 credits

Examines sociological theory and research on religious belief and behavior. Emphasizes the classical theoretical work of Durkheim, Weber, and Marx. Explores contemporary American religious phenomena, including local church services. Discusses liberal and conservative movements and the relationship of religion to politics, economics, and the family. Prerequisites: Soc 204 and 370.

Soc 472 Contemporary Sociological Thought

4 credits

Analyzes the ability of various contemporary theoretical perspectives to interpret the changing nature of society. Covers neo-Marxism, postmodernism, feminism, and postcolonialism. Prerequisites: Soc 204 and 370.


This material is from the 2000-2001
Southern Oregon University Catalog.

Page revised August 8, 2000
Copyright 2000, Southern Oregon University.
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